A model for the transformation of the Mauritian classroom based on the Living Lab concept

A Living Lab is an environment for user-centered innovation, based on the observation of every-day user practice and experience for solving problems, but also based on their active participation, with an approach that facilitates their influence in the open and distributed innovation process (participatory design). According to the European Network of Living Labs (ENoLL) a Living Lab is driven by four major elements namely Co-Creation, Exploration, Experimentation and Evaluation. Co-Creation is mainly about user involvement in the elaboration of innovative products and services. The Virtual Centre for Innovative Learning Technologies is a specialized unit in Education Technology at the University of Mauritius, focusing mainly on Innovative Teacher Training Systems targeting mainly in-service educators. The VCILT adheres to the concept of open innovation systems and aims to become part of the Living Lab network. In this paper we describe the theoretical foundations of Living Lab from our own local practices and operational framework and discuss the components that make up a preliminary framework or model for the establishment of a Living Lab focusing mainly on the classroom education of the future for Mauritius. There are three major components that would form the backbone of our Living Lab namely the Research and Development, Teacher Education and finally The Classroom Environment and Teaching Practices. Our proposed Living Lab model is inspired from the University of Reunion Island Living Lab for Teaching and Learning, the FunEcole Living Lab, the Classroom of the Future Living Lab and the Ways of Learning for the Future Living Lab which are all established members of the ENoLL network.