We narrow our topic to ‘understanding in collaborative design’.

What is shared understanding?
Shared understanding in collaborative design exists when the different actors understand a problem, question or idea, with a relation to the project, in the same way.

Then what is creating shared understanding?
Creating shared understanding is the process of learning how to understand a problem, question or idea, with a relation to the project in the right way.

So how do we learn to understand this?
Learning how to understand a problem, question or idea is done through communication, but more specifically by sending a message out and evaluating if the message which is returned is according to the expectations. If it is not according to the expectations, modify the message and try again.

An example:
Actor a: I need a large opening.
Actor b: Yes, yes, maybe 1cm
Actor a: No! I was thinking of at least 15 cm.
Actor b: Oh, but that means that part should be much bigger.
Actor a: Yes! What else did you have in mind?

This example illustrates how two actors improve their understanding of each other’s mental model of a design.

This example has certain assumptions:

• The different actors are in synchronous communication
• The issue is simple enough to explain verbally

When the issue is more complex often sketches, drawings, diagrams and such (media) are involved. The message send thus needs to include such media, and the message returned will probably have a reference to this media.

One girl I spoke with told me that she had made phone calls, 25 calls a day and she was proud that all the states to which she had made call to had be won. 

 The speach of Obama was also very much something that was felt to be moderate, and inspiring. Obama was not saying “I won” or “it is done now” but “we can now start” and people do feel more involved now.

Personally I see quite a difference between when I was in Pittsburgh some four and a half years ago. The young people I spoke then were very indifferent, and in the opinion that their vote would make no difference. This year people do have hope, and believe that they can make a change happen. 

 Tonight I was at a party. The party was to organised to celebrate the victory of the american people. The mood present with the people I talked to was a feeling of having been involved, and being together. Having accomplished this together. People in cars were bumping their horns to groups of people on the street, like I only know from when the Dutch soccer team has won a mayor match.

One girl I spoke with told me that she had made phone calls, 25 calls a day and she was proud that all the states to which she had made call to had be won.

The speach below inspired people.

Having to wait in a long line is actually no surprise considering the fact that each person in San Francisco has to fill in three ballot papers. Federal, state (propositions 1 to 12) and county (city) (propositions A to V, and things like board of education) this together makes it a tough exercise to which you should not go unprepared.

One of the most important propositions in California, prop 8, which is to take away gay marriage is still undecided.

And so it happened that I could make this picture Sunday! I met Suzanna on the campgrounds, and we hiked up to yosemity point together.

These rocks also just beg to be climbed.

Just wonderful! And all you need when you are working late.

I can vote for Obama!