EUGLOH Living Lab “put students first” in Designing the Classroom of the Future

Designed in a mixed format – virtual and physical – and based on an interdisciplinary approach centred on real challenges and collaboration among students, academics, technical staff and researchers, the main goal of “Putting Students First – Designing the Classroom of the Future” was to rethink the classroom of the future, exploring new teaching and learning methodologies through three thematic axes: gamification, well-being and transversal competencies. 

The first thematic axis, “Gamification of Learning”, coordinated by UiT, explored the integration of game mechanics into in-person and virtual teaching in order to enhance student engagement, presenting practical examples and promoting critical reflection on the ethical implications of gamification. 

The second axis, “Well-Being and Happiness”, led by UPSaclay, addressed the role of well-being in academic success through activities encouraging reflection and the sharing of practical strategies throughout the learning journey.

Finally, the component dedicated to “Transversal Skills”, coordinated by U. Porto, focused on developing skills such as critical thinking, collaboration, communication and leadership. Participants worked with co-design methodologies and explored applications of the EUGLOH Transversal Skills Framework in interdisciplinary contexts.

The pedagogical methodology followed the challenge-based learning model, in a format similar to a hackathon. Working in multidisciplinary teams, participants tackled real problems proposed by institutions and companies, creating educational innovation projects grounded in applied research. The final assessment valued active participation, teamwork, a pitch-style presentation and an individual written reflection on the learning experience and skill development.

Throughout the week, participants from eight EUGLOH member universities, representing a broad range of academic backgrounds – from bachelor’s, master’s and PhD students to post-docs, teachers and staff members – contributed to a rich intergenerational and interdisciplinary learning environment.

For António Coelho, academic leader of the working group “Employability and Lifelong Learning” of the EUGLOH Alliance and coordinator of the activity, the outcome was highly positive: “The challenge was ambitious: to reinvent the classroom of the future. But the group of students, teachers, researchers and staff embraced it with great motivation and worked tirelessly to achieve it. All teams produced innovative and diverse ideas with the potential to be disseminated and adopted across the EUGLOH international community”.

Kira Gama Rocha, co-coordinator of the activity, also highlighted the collaborative and human spirit from the project: “The Living Lab showed that learning emerges when we make space for dialogue, uncertainty and shared creation. Watching students and teachers rethink together what a classroom can be reminded me that education transforms only when it dares to be human”.

The EUGLOH Living Lab consists of a set of activities carried out in immersive and experimental environments, focusing on the development of transversal and multidisciplinary skills. These “living laboratories” are driven by knowledge-creating teams responsible for pedagogical co-creation and cover the four pillars of the “Knowledge Square”: Education, Research, Innovation and Service to Society.

With this initiative, the member universities reaffirm the EUGLOH Alliance’s commitment to pedagogical innovation, international collaboration and the development of a more creative, sustainable and human-centred education.