SDSU Professor Bernie Dodge originally developed these main design patterns in 2005 (in the same spirit as his WebQuest Design Patterns). Unfortunately, the more detailed explanations are no longer available. I've taken some of these ideas outright (with permission of course!) and morphed a few others.
- Micropedia - A tiny, focused version of Wikipedia. The range of content is restricted to a pre-defined domain. Each entry is a definition or at least a description of a single entity
- FAQ - Similar to a micropedia in that the focus is typically narrow. Structurally, though, the wiki is organized around questions and answers.
- Consensus Document - Collaborative creation of a document that reflects agreement by parties that began with widely differing points of view and goals. Needs to be embedded in a scenario with role descriptions and a plan for assigning roles.
- Branching Story - Revival of the text adventures of 25 years ago. Story begins with a description of a setting followed by internal links based on action choices the reader can make. Each choice leads to a new entry describing what happens next.
- TreeSim - A branching tree simulation in which choices and consequences are revealed. Structurally similar to a branching story except that the essential elements of a story (conflict and resolution) are missing.
- Ant Farm - A simulation of a selected time and place with multiple actors. Like a branching story except that there is no single protogonist.
- Exegesis - A dissection of a single, dense text. Multiple words or phrases are linked to additional internal entries, each of which can contain external references.