Empowering Women and Transforming Tech Education: Laboratoria’s Agile Learning Model

Laboratoria, a pioneering social impact organization founded in Peru in 2014, has been steadfast in its mission to equip women with technical skills (web development, UX design, and data analysis) and connect them with career opportunities in the tech industry. With an impressive track record of impacting over 3,500 students and placing 82% of its graduates in tech jobs, Laboratoria has expanded its reach across Latin America and beyond. In 2023, the organization contributed a publication to the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) platform, delving into its innovative learning model and the profound impact of female-led tech boot camps in the region. Today, we are excited to delve deeper into Laboratoria’s “Agile” Learning Framework. 

Introducing Laboratoria’s “Agile” Learning Model: Empowering Women Across Latin America 

At the core of Laboratoria’s approach is the belief in empowering learners to take ownership of their education. The “Agile” Learning Framework embodies this philosophy, emphasizing the non-linear nature of learning, embracing individuality, and fostering collaboration. Drawing inspiration from Agile methodologies in software development, Laboratoria’s framework advocates for short, iterative cycles called Sprints, allowing for continuous improvement and adaptation to changing circumstances. Central to Laboratoria’s “Agile” Learning Framework are key ceremonies and events that guide the learning journey: 

1. Sprints: These fixed-length cycles serve as containers for learning activities, ensuring progress toward predefined objectives. Sprints are where all the work is done to help students meet their learning objectives, and immediately following the conclusion of the previous Sprint, a new Sprint begins.   

2. Sprint Planning: Students collaborate with coaches to define tasks and set priorities for the upcoming Sprint, promoting clarity and focus. 

3. Project Kick-off: A crucial event where project goals and scope are established, fostering alignment and communication among team members. A project kick-off can be a helpful and valuable starting point for the project’s development and for students who must deal with the uncertainty of meeting mostly undefined technical requirements. Laboratoria can move on to sprint planning to specify the steps students will take on their sprints once we have a clear context and set of goals.    

4. Daily: Regular check-ins facilitate collaboration and problem-solving, ensuring students stay on track and adapt to challenges. Laboratoria recommends that students share and discuss their problems so far and ask for help explicitly, providing help where needed while also visualizing the challenges ahead. This facilitates cooperation within the team and, therefore, their productivity. 

5. Sprint Demo and Peer Review: The students must perform a demo after each sprint with their own and other teams. This cultivates opportunities for reflection and feedback to drive continuous improvement and skill development. The greatest benefit of the peer review ceremony is that it promotes peer-to-peer learning by observing one another’s work and receiving and providing useful feedback to address the issue the project requires of them.    

6. Retrospective: At the end of a sprint, students take a moment to reflect on their work, focusing on “how” they are working and “how” they are progressing to solidify improvements for the next sprint. This becomes a moment for students to reflect on their progress and identify areas for growth, paving the way for future success. 

Lessons Learned and Innovations: Driving Impact in Tech Education 

Laboratoria’s “Agile” Learning Framework has led to several key innovations that have strengthened its impact: 

• Pioneering Payment Model: By deferring students’ tuition until they secure employment, Laboratoria ensures that financial barriers do not impede access to quality and equitable education. 
• Self-paced Model: Flexibility is key to accommodating students’ diverse backgrounds and experience levels, empowering them to tailor their learning journey. This model allows women to chart their educational journey, ensuring that learning is a personal and empowering experience. Laboratoria notes that a safe space, characterized by sorority, teamwork, and caring feedback, is fundamental to the transformative nature of their boot camps. 
• Flexibility for Relevance: The tech industry evolves rapidly, and staying relevant is paramount. Therefore, by continually updating its curriculum to reflect industry trends and technological advancements, Laboratoria ensures that graduates are equipped with in-demand skills. 

Laboratoria’s “Agile” Learning Framework epitomizes a dynamic approach to tech education, driven by a commitment to inclusivity, flexibility, and relevance. As Laboratoria continues to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of the tech industry, the organization remains dedicated to empowering women, transforming lives, and shaping the future of tech education.  

To learn more about Laboratoria’s learning framework and boot camp, explore our recently published disruption brief : How Do Disruptive Innovators Prepare Todays Students to be Tomorrows Workforce?: Laboratoria’s Agile Model available in  Spanish and English.