General talk about software patterns

[Joshua Kerievsky <joshua AT industriallogic.com>]

On Tue, Feb 19, 2013 at 6:12 AM, Joseph Bergin <jbergin AT pace.edu> wrote:

Context: I'm teaching a course in which students are expected to learn through their discussions...
Problem: I want all students to participate in a discussion.
Solution: Therefore, I use a round robin technique to solicit suggestions.

Hi Joe,

When you say "I want all students to participate in a discussion" I read that you have a problem (or a want), not the students.   I don't think it is the real problem.  Here's a stab at what sounds like the real problem:

When students don't actively participate in discussions, they learn less and diminish the richness of the discussion for everyone.

When I read that, my image of the problem is much more expansive - it's a problem for everyone in that classroom.  It's not the teacher's problem.  

As usual, all I'm doing is using the Alexandrian style of pattern writing.

best

jk