Design-Based Research (DBR)

I like the concept of Design-Based Research. The idea that life is messy, problems are messy, and so, to solve problems, you need to look at it from many approaches and with collaboration and, along the way, refinement of processes.

It cannot simply be something that is static and unmoving - it is a process that is followed, with input, ideas and correction along the way. You work with colleagues, research and real-world practitioners to work through the problem and design solutions based on technology and designs along the way.

The chart that shows DBR as a cyclical entity is very interesting - it allows for the beginning - identifying the problem - and then work through research, the practitioners' insights, the design - using principles to look at why we do it, and what our outcomes, attributes and technologies will be. It ties it all back together, so we are clear as to why we choose to use a certain technology and are always looking and focusing on our core design and what we are trying to achieve - which works through to the overall Learning Design.

The idea that innovation is something that we can all do - it is simply by looking at and changing the way we think about a problem or idea, and constructing solutions to these problems and developed and changed over time, is different and empowering! So often you think of innovation as something someone else would do - as their "job" or someone working in a specific field or industry, and don't stop to look at how this can apply to yourself and others.

I like the idea that they are trying to enable learners to learn, take control of their own learning paths, and work out what works for them! The technology they have set up to incorporate this way of learning also seemed very impressive and well thought-out.