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Way of Working in DLL

Laurea Digital Living Lab (DLL) is a learning environment where practical work, development projects, and theoretical studies are combined. DLL is based on Laurea’s learning model, Learning by Development (LbD), where students are active developers and learners.

Laurea’s Digital Living Lab students are working on a group project

In DLL, learning goes beyond lectures. Students work directly with real clients, businesses, and organizations to create digital solutions. This process helps develop crucial skills like project management, communication, and collaboration, all while working with digital tools. Many students find DLL projects highly motivating and valuable for their future careers.

 

Teachers act as coaches who support and guide the learning process, but the student is in charge of their own progress.

The model shown below illustrates the BusinessLab's five core elements and service process, which together shape the student customer experience and support skills and competence development. Read more from the publication Students as customers.
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(Original: Mononen, Asko, Kortelainen, Mika & Hellgrén, Anni (2016). Students as Customers: Service Process Development for Improved Student’s Customer Experience at BusinessLab of Laurea University of AppliedSciences, Finland. In Orlando Manuel da Costa Gomes & Hélder António Fanha Martins (eds.) Advances in Applied Business Research: The L.A.B.S. Initiative. Nova Science Publishers, Hauppauge, USA. )

Illustration of the BusinessLab 5 elements and service process delivering students’ customer experience

Important skills you can learn in DLL:​

Project management

Self-management

Communication

Client collaboration

What kind of projects can you do in DLL?

  • IoT project with Arduino kits
    → Learn basic electronics and programming by creating IoT solutions.

  • 3D printing project
    → Design and produce objects using 3D printers and digital manufacturing tools.

  • Robotics and drone project
    → Test robots or drones while learning how they work and move.

  • VR technology project
    → Try out VR headsets and create simple virtual environments or interactive 3D scenes.

  • Photo and video project
    → Plan and create photos or videos for different projects and learn basic editing skills.

  • Podcast project
    → Record and produce podcasts to share stories, ideas, or interviews using audio tools.

  • Client-based project
    → Work on real business cases and develop solutions for clients.

  • Canvas content building project
    → Create educational content and materials together with teachers.

  • Other custom projects
    → Work on ideas or projects agreed separately with instructors.

This is where you will be working in DLL

Laurea DLL spaces are modern, flexible environments where students can work on real-world projects — either independently or in teams.

Below are images of the Laurea DLL spaces.

These spaces are part of Laurea's broader DLL Environment, supporting creativity, co-creation, and applied learning.
👉 Learn more on the DLL's Equipment webpage.
 

What if co-students, customers and coaches are located in different cities?

Virtual Collaboration

Working in virtual project teams is a common practice in companies today. Remote tools facilitate communication and project management, even when team members are dispersed across different geographical locations.

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Here are some helpful tips for successful virtual collaboration:

  • Share contact information and establish communication channels with your team

  • Use apps for quick calls rather than chat and email

    • e.g. Whatsapp, WeChat​

  • Schedule regular meetings with video conferencing​

    • e.g. Google Hangout, Zoom​

  • Use tools for real-time collaborative editing to produce content

    • e.g. Google Drive​, O365, iCloud, Dropbox

  • Have all contact information, project notes and material online

    • e.g. Trello for task management + Google Drive​ for documents

  • Keep your agile project management tool updated all the time

    • e.g. Trello, Asana, Wrike

  • You might need a separate discussion or knowledge building forum 

    • e.g. Slack, Teams​

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Find more information on managing virtual teams through the following links:

 

Dargin, S. Corporate Education Group: 6 Best Practices for Managing Virtual Teams. http://www.corpedgroup.com/resources/pm/6BestPracticesMVT.asp

 

Abudi, G. (2012). Best practices for managing and developing virtual project teams. Paper presented at PMI® Global Congress 2012—North America, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Newtown Square, PA: Project Management Institute. https://www.pmi.org/learning/library/best-practices-virtual-project-teams-6038

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