The JOINclusion app as a tool for personal and collective growth. An interview with Chiara Schiavone.
Chiara Schiavone, a primary school teacher at the Via Poseidone Comprehensive Institute in Rome, participated in the testing of the JOINclusion app, developed by the European project partnership funded by the Erasmus+ Programme. The goal is to promote social inclusion in primary and lower secondary schools with game-based learning strategies.
The app, designed by a team of psychologists and educators, uses an innovative approach to train empathy and promote prosocial behaviour such as altruism, solidarity, and cooperation. With interactive scenarios inspired by everyday situations, the app helps students understand cultural differences and develop socio-cognitive skills that are essential for inclusive coexistence.
Chiara shares her direct experience with the app: the benefits she observed in the classroom and how the tools contributed to creating a more welcoming and diversity-sensitive learning environment.
When did you start using the JOINclusion app and what were your initial impressions?
I had the opportunity to test the app in its early stages, about two years ago. It presented a pioneering approach, and I immediately saw its potential. The app has proven to be very useful in improving empathy in the classroom, something that we have been working on for a long time, as there are several children with disabilities in my class.
What have been the most obvious benefits?
One of the most significant results was observing how some children, who were previously unwilling to help classmates in difficulty, changed their attitude after using the app. The tool drove them to empathize more and develop a greater capacity for collaboration and solidarity. It was a tangible change.
Do you think measures are necessary to introduce the app into the classroom?
Yes, I think it is important to prepare the students. An open dialogue and debate on empathy and collaboration can help create the right context. This step is essential to maximize the effectiveness of the tool, especially in classes where these topics are already being worked on.
How did the children react to the experience?
The kids were thrilled! The game is very engaging, and that’s a big plus. They had fun, but at the same time they learned important lessons. It was an engaging educational activity.
What do you think about the app usability, both for children and teachers?
The app is extremely intuitive and easy to use, which makes it accessible even to teachers who might be less inclined to use technology. This is something I really appreciated. In addition, some of the techniques learned during the game are now an integral part of our daily routine.
After this experience, how do you view technology in inclusive teaching?
Technology such as the JOINclusion app presents an extraordinary opportunity to work on inclusion and personal growth of children. When integrated with careful preparation and shared reflection, it can transform the way children experience and learn to empathise and collaborate. I firmly believe that tools like this must be increasingly introduced to school.
The app is available for download on Google Play. To use it at its best and train empathy by strengthening prosocial behaviour, such as solidarity, altruism, cooperation, we also provide teachers and educators with an on-line training course available on FMD Academy.
Interview conducted by Alberta Testa, Social Media Manager
