Participatory guidance provides learning environments which facilitate competence development and allow for a common ground between authentic opportunities and students’ needs. This operating model is supported by Laurea’s networked learning environments. From the students’ perspective, participatory guidance relates to assuming active responsibility for their own studies and target-setting. Self-evaluation of their development and updates of the personal study plan form a central element of studies.

Laurea’s guidance services consist of tutoring, counselling and communication functions. Guidance is used to foster the students’ ability to take their studies in the desired direction through dialogue. Counselling helps students find suitable ways of working in different situations. Meanwhile, the sharing of correct and sufficient information forms a basis for the students to plan their own studies.