KP-Lab

Knowledge-practices Laboratory (KP-Lab) aims at facilitating innovative practices of working with knowledge (“knowledge practices”) in education and workplaces. KP-Lab presents a unifying view of human cognition based on an assumption that learning is not just individual knowledge acquisition or social interaction, but shared efforts of transforming ideas and social practices, i.e. knowledge-creation perspective.

KP-Lab technology builds on emerging technologies, such as semantic web, real-time multimedia communication, ubiquitous access using wireless devices, and interorganisational computing. KP-Lab is a modular, flexible and extensible system consisting of a cluster of inter-operable applications. The user environment is a virtual shared space and set of tools that enables collaborative knowledge practises around shared knowledge artefacts. KP-Lab involves design experiments and longitudinal studies in schools, polytechnics, universities, teacher training, and professional organizations.

A series of KP-Lab courses will be organized during which students will solve complex problems for real customers whether those are enterprises, public organizations, or research communities. Extended pilots involve scaling up of emerging good practices across large number of students. Prevailing practices of managing knowledge in professional organizations will be analyzed. Tools supporting reflection of interactive processes and in managing creation of knowledge and organizational transformation will be developed.

KP-Lab technology will emerge through co-configuration of tools and co-evolution of practices between the participants and developers. A European multi-disciplinary research network will be established. Theories, pedagogies and technologies of KP-Lab will be disseminated across European education and workplaces. The technologies developed will be mostly based on open source technology to facilitate maximal dissemination.