The Re:Lab: One idea - two spaces - three issues

The idea: The Re:Lab is a "praxis lab” for tinkering and experimenting with bits and pieces of hardware and software. The Re:Lab is a space where people share ideas, imaginations, research, critique and theories about how we can design an equitable, justice-oriented ‘digital education’. The Re:Lab is a place for:

reimagining // rethinking // reworlding // rewriting // redoing // remixing // revitalising // recreating // reliving // recuperating // reversing // reshuffling // resurrecting // revolutionising // rejuvinating // resisting // respecting // redistributing // reconsolidating // regenerating // recapping // rebelling // reaffirming // recalibrating // reciprocating // respecting // reenergising // reorienting // rewording // re...

School is part of society. When we rethink school, we rethink society. Research shows that in order to develop innovative socio-technical practices that reduce inequalities and enable social participation, schools need both technical infrastructure (hardware, software, connectivity, water-coolers) and social infrastructure (people, ideas, open spaces).

As a technical infrastructure, the Re:Lab is developing two physical spaces:

- First, the Re:Lab Mobile will bring technical equipment, and a creative space in which to use it, to under-resourced schools. The expandable trailer can be driven to partner schools for flexible periods of time, to support regular class teaching, project days, afterschool clubs and other activities. It should be ready for use by mid-2025.

- Second, the Re:Lab Creative Studio is being created at the University of Oldenburg (in V03). The EdTech Studio is for events with people who want to use speculative methods to develop edtech for a ‘future otherwise’, i.e., an equitable, just, ethical, antiracist, participatory, (etc.) future.  

As a social infrastructure, the Re:Lab brings people together to tinker and think together on three priority issues:

- (Critical) Making: With materials (3D-printers, 3D-pens, laser cutters etc.) for digital creative work like (re)inventing, repairing and constructing.

- Datafication / AI: With games and activities for a critical and creative use of what is called “AI”, situating these techniques and methods in their cultural, political, economic and historical contexts.

- (Ecological) sustainability: Experimenting with sustainable media, materials, furniture, equipment, and the possibilities for reflecting on product cycles from construction through use and repair to disposal.

The Re:Lab hopes to generate ideas that can be used in schools, as well as embedding these ideas into university teaching, teacher professional development and (co-design) research activities.

Contact: Prof Dr Felicitas Macgilchrist, Dr Christina Krumbacher

Project funding: Ministry of Culture and Science, Lower Saxony

Project website: https://relab.uol.de/

Project duration: 2024 - 2030