Ukinsei
means asymmetry or irregularity. Controlling balance through the use of
irregularity and asymmetry is a central belief in Zen aesthetics. For example,
the enso or Zen circle is often incomplete to symbolize the asymmetry.
Too
often we try so hard to create the perfect learning platform by filling in all
the blanks that it fails to draw the learners in — we tend to be drawn in more
when we can fill in some of the blanks on our own. Designers also tend to carry
it to the extreme by adding too much content — it overwhelms the learners with
too much information. Thus we need to strive for some incompleteness,
irregularity, and/or asymmetry in order to draw the soon-to-be performers into
the learning process.
Fukinsei
design also implies a deductive approach. That is, rather than being presented
with a complete set of concepts, rules, and strategies, that explicitly
instructs the learners, they must explore and experiment with the task to infer
and learn the rules, principles, and strategies for effective performance
(discovery or experimental learning).
This approach has been shown to build
“Adaptive Expertise” — becoming more adaptable in order to solve unstructured
and ill-defined problems. Also closely related to this is “Error-based Learning”
to allow for more control processing.
It also defines what it means to learn: Being able to adopt and adapt
what you know and know-how to do in a variety of circumstances, and
continuously learn as tyou experience new circumstances to employ their
knowledge and know-how
