About Us

 

The Education Lab was created through the Living Labs forum run by local WA changemakers Enkel. The Enkel

Living Labs is a prototype into the 'living labs' concept. Over a three month period in 2015, we developed and

tested several living labs in an exploration into collaborative communities and innovation. Our Living Labs are

designed to be open-research projects, focused on collaboratively tackling challenges relevant to a community.

The education lab was one of three living labs that came out of the enkel living labs process. Enkel's living labs is

now developing into a network of collaborative research groups for change in WA. The education lab is a part of

this broader community.

 

One Living Labs participant felt strongly that education should be free and access to good quality education

shouldn’t be limited to those that can pay. From her experience as a University tutor, she found that some students

lacked a proper understanding of basic science and maths concepts. This ultimately hinders their learning process

at a university level and leaves the student feeling disenchanted and frustrated about the content and learning

within science. It makes them feel like the subject is out of their intellectual reach, and it becomes a negative

learning experience. As a result students don’t take the initiative in learning content and learn only to satisfy course

requirements rather than fostering a love for the subject and actively reaching their potential.

 

"However it's not only students need support but so do tutors!"

 

Tutoring jobs are often viewed as temporary employment positions, however for many it is more than an in-between job, it’s a

career. Unfortunately it's often one without financial security and ongoing professional support. It can be hard to find help

figuring the standard of tutoring, how to help your student through frustration, and solving tricky explanation issues.

The Education Lab’s learning community is not only for students but also for tutors. We provide a peer support network,

where tutors can meet, share ideas, benefit from peer to peer help and attend workshops to help improve. By creating these

communities students and tutors can form support networks with their respective peers. This facilitates a collaborative learning

environment empowering students to stay in STEM fields and connecting tutors with resources.

The Education Lab is in its trial phase which runs from mid October to mid December. Following a successful trial, the

Education Lab will officially launch early 2016 and finalise partnerships with local businesses, education institutes and

community groups.