KP-Lab: Knowledge Practices Laboratory (completed)

This project, funded by the EU, explores collective knowledge creation processes and tool-mediated practice transformations. KP-Lab Portal

About the project

In this EU-project InterMedia is involved in several case studies of knowledge practices in workplaces and contributes to refining the theoretical framework.

KP-Lab uses design principles to develop a  learning system aimed at facilitating innovative practices of sharing, creating and working with knowledge in education and workplaces. To accomplish this the project partners develop theories, tools, and practical models that enchance deliberate advancement and creation of knowledge as well as transformation of knowledge practices.

Four of the design principles are:

  1. Organizing activity around collaborative advancement of knowledge artefacts,
  2. Initiated or modeled by authentic problems,
  3. Deliberate transformation of knowledge practices,
  4. 4. Co-evolution of tools, social practices, and agents.

Objectives

KP-Lab aims at facilitating innovative practices of working with knowledge ("knowledge practices") in education and workplaces.

Learning and knowledge creation is collaborative efforts to transform tools and social practices. This project will contribute to theories, tools, and practical models that elicit deliberate advancement and creation of knowledge (the trialogical knowledge-creation approach) as well as corresponding transformation of knowledge practices in European education and workplaces.

The project aims to contribute to innovation in several ways:

  1. As a theoretical innovation KP-Lab presents an approach to learning and human cognition going beyond acquisition and participation metaphors. As a pedagogical innovation, KP-Lab involves organizing for complex problem solving in workplaces and networks they are part of to elicit boundaries and barriers between education and professional cultures.
  2. As a technological innovation KP-Lab will provide modular, flexible and extensible systems of inter-operable tools, services and functionalities. As a social innovation, KP-Lab puts reflective social practices around shared knowledge artifacts into the core of Technology - Enhanced Learning.

Theory and methods

InterMedia is involved in developing theoretical foundations for the project, and empirical case studies of selected knowledge practices in workplaces. We have set up case studies with:


a) longitudinal, descriptive and historical analyses of evolving knowledge practices with existing and new tools

b) interventionist perspective - design and implement new tools and/or customize / adapt existing ones

c) use, testing and evaluation of new tools in different time spans

Data are collected by participant observation (video, audio and field notes), stakeholder interviews, document reviews and surveys. 


Partners

The project has 22 partners, representing many European countries and Israel. The project is coordinated from the University of Helsinki, Finland. See KP-Lab web site for more information.

Funding and timeframe

Funded by: EU's 6th framework for research, Integrated Project

Related projects

DICAP-Ullern

KIKK

Multi-disciplinary knowledge practice in nanotechnology

Ahus - Knowledge creation and production processes in transforming social practice

Knowledge Construction Across Work Settings

Ahus - Standardized work descriptions

Collaborative learning through creating shared knowledge artefacts

Outcomes

Poster: Knowledge Practices Laboratory (Moen, A., Mørch, A., Ludvigsen, S.,) - pdf

Brochure - overview of activities - pdf


 

Published Sep. 15, 2010 9:50 AM - Last modified May 13, 2019 1:23 PM

Contact

Project leader Anders Mørch

Participants

Detailed list of participants