Abstract:
The Living Lab paradigm creates open and inter-disciplinary environments where
participants can interrogate challenges and co-create solutions. A successful Living Lab
context incorporates a clear focus/vision, strong leadership, self-sustainability, a strong
sense of community-owned challenges and the potential for sustainable community
development. This paper discusses and outlines the elements of Living Labs, and how
these have played a role in the establishment of a new Education Living Lab at a
University in South Africa. Core values, stakeholders and key success factors of Living
Labs are discussed. This is followed by the description of a case study of the
establishment process of a Living Lab. The newly established Living Lab already shows
success with collaborations and innovation between communities, industry, academia,
learners and schools. This is illustrated in an application of the discussions on the Mobile
Learning focus area - the first active sub-focus area within the Education Living Lab.
