UI Design Patterns for 21st Century Learning

This project examines online learning environments that involve creating, remixing, sharing, critiquing, and communicating about artifacts and ideas. Research has shown that youth participation in online communities using these kinds of environments can build technical competencies related to 21st century learning such as creativity, collaboration, critique, and communication. However, inequities exist in terms of who is participating and how youth participate.

With attention to equity and the experiences of underrepresented youth populations, we are analyzing online social learning networks to identify key user interface design patterns that support 21st century learning. Analysis includes attention to the ways in which the UI supports adult and youth interactions and 21st century learning activities. The results of this work will be useful to educators, designers, researchers who look to online tools as spaces to engage youth in learning communities.