A DIGITAL TOOL TO HELP WORK-ORIENTED PROJECT STUDIES IN HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS

Abstract

Development-oriented learning combines many things, such as project learning, problem-based learning, learning by development, learning by doing, experiential learning, and research. One perspective behind developing the Learning by Developing (LbD) Action Model has been the development of higher education students' future working life skills during their studies and the opportunity to network with companies. Through business cooperation, students can more easily find a job after graduation. The LbD was developed at Laurea University of Applied Sciences (Laurea) in the early 2000s and has been used as a pedagogical method for almost 20 years. The LbD pedagogy must be constantly developed and renewed to stay up-to-date and as a valid pedagogical method in a changing society. This article describes a digital tool in the design phase that would facilitate working-life-oriented project studies in higher education institutions. The starting point for the tool's design has been research conducted in three higher education institutions between 2019 and 2022 and practical teaching and learning experiences at Laurea according to the LbD model.