CoLabs

Program Overview

CoLabs are participatory design thinking workshops that are aimed to problem solve and generate ideas for common issues. 

CoLabs are a mechanism to support student partnership in our community. CoLabs are 1-2 hour participatory design workshops where students and staff work together to explore topics, reflect on services or programs, and generate ideas. CoLabs can be held either in-person or online.

Enquire about building a CoLab

What are CoLabs?

CoLabs are distinct from traditional research methods such as interviews, surveys, or focus groups because they encourage students and staff to interact and discuss student experiences, generating new ideas, insights and feedback.

While the structure of each CoLab may be a little different, they are typically structured with 4-5 small groups in each workshop, each group consisting of 3-4 student partners and 1-2 assisting staff. The staff role in the CoLab is to facilitate the activities (see below for examples), ask probing questions, and take notes, while students are responsible for sharing feedback and generating ideas. 

Some example activites used in CoLabs include:

  • Mind maps
  • Storyboards
  • Role Playing
  • Flash Thinking Exercises
  • Persona Testing
  • Lifeboat Exercises (or other idea pitching exercises)

Student recruitment in CoLabs will depend on the topic and the targeted cohort, however, if applicable, our student partners will be contacted if they would like to participate. Students who participate in CoLabs also get the added benefit of learning a little bit about design thinking, a skill they can take with them in future employment opportunities. 

CoLabs are available to any staff member and previous topics have included re-designing an assessment or rubric, designing a new orientation workshop, improving sustainability on campus, and re-designing a learning space. Staff who are interested in a CoLab can contact the Office of the Dean of Students to get help designing their CoLab (i.e., the activities) and discuss the next steps. 

More information on CoLabs

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This presentation by Dr. Mollie Dollinger on CoLabs was completed in collaboration with LaTrobe University researchers at the 2021 STARS conference. More information on this research can be found here: 

Dollinger, M., & Vanderlelie, J. (2021). Closing the loop: co-designing with students for greater market orientation. Journal of Marketing for Higher Education, 31(1), 41-57. https://doi.org/10.1080/08841241.2020.1757557

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