Barbara Russo’s experience with the JOINclusion app.Russo con l’app JOINclusion
Barbara Russo, a primary school teacher at the Villaggio Prenestino 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.
Barbara 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.
How was your experience using the JOINclusion app with your students?
I worked with two groups of students and noticed very different reactions. In one class, which was already predisposed to collaborate, the app and the group work strengthened the bonds between students and with classmates with whom they socialized less, creating a true team. The lesson was very engaging. The students gave each other advice on how to improve and complete the work. The second class, on the other hand, was characterized by a very different dynamic: very little collaboration and frequent episodes of bullying and tension. At the beginning it was tiring. The students tended to work alone, without helping each other. However, they soon realized that this attitude was hindering them from achieving their goals. In the second session, they were more careful and started to work together. Since then, I have observed positive developments. The climate in the classroom improved and the students are learning to collaborate.
What are the pros of the app?
The app has many pros. First of all, it develops empathy and helps children relate better to others. It improves autonomy and the ability to learn rapidly. I saw how the game made them grow, allowing them to work better together, and to have a more positive approach to technology. Thanks to JOINclusion, the children understood that technology is not just a means of having fun, but also a valuable tool for learning and improving themselves. This was a great step forward in their personal and academic growth.
What was the children's reaction?
The children were enthusiastic and would have liked to repeat the experience over and over. They particularly appreciated the way the coaches interacted with them, not only as children, but as people capable of learning. They used appropriate terminology, without simplifications, making the experience engaging and respectful of their abilities.
How important was the role of the school principal in this experience?
The role of our principal, Angela Giuseppina Ubriaco, was fundamental. She is a person who firmly believes in the importance of training and the continuous updating of teachers. She has a strategic vision of the use of technology in teaching and strongly supports activities like this. Her guidance has been essential to allow us to undertake this innovative course.
After this experience, what are your thoughts on using technological tools for inclusion?
I believe that tools like JOINclusion are a valuable resource for schools. They allow us to work on fundamental skills, such as empathy and collaboration, in an innovative and engaging manner. Furthermore, they help children see technology as an ally for their growth, not just as a means of entertainment. I hope that this experience can be repeated and that more and more schools adopt similar tools.
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
