Facilitating maturing of socio-technical patterns through social learning approaches

Pattern-based approaches are becoming increasingly popular to capture design experiences for a wider audience. This rises to particular importance in participatory processes, such as user-driven design approaches. However, the creation process of such patterns is challenging, especially when it comes to motivational, affective and other soft factors. In this paper, we view the pattern development as a knowledge maturing process, i.e., a process of collective knowledge development. We describe the pattern development process, identify barriers in this process, and explain how various social learning approaches, such as peer coaching, social learning programmes (i.e., online courses with a collaborative focus), and reflective instruments in agile processes contribute to the key issue of decontextualizing and recontextualizing experiences in a continuous way.