A few days ago, the participation of the 2nd Primary School of Aigio in the JOINclusion research study was completed, which is a project funded by the European Union that develops an educational game for mobile phones in order to teach primary school students about empathy.
In the framework of KA220-SCH – Erasmus+ Project – Joinclusion (2021-2-NL01-KA220-SCH-000048865), “Odyssey” as responsible for the pilot test of the educational game visited and collaborated with two elementary schools in Agios Achaias, the 2nd and 5th Primary School of Aigio respectively.
As part of the pilot action, Odyssey cooperated and visited the 2nd Primary School of Aigi twice (20/09/2024 and 24/10/2024). As part of the action, 24 students aged 7-12 (Monday to Sixth Grade), played this educational game that has been created as part of the project.
The game simulates everyday situations and analyzes how children react to conflicts related to the social integration of peers with an immigrant background, helping them learn better ways to include all students in the class and interact more effectively with all their classmates.
“Odyssey” is a non-profit organization that supports young vulnerable people, facilitating their access to professional opportunities in society. The main goal of the program is to find better ways to integrate all students in the classroom and to help students interact with their classmates.
During the implementation of the program, all the provisions regarding the protection of the personal data of the students who took part were observed and no information of any kind was handed over to third parties.
The organization and conduct of the research at our School was undertaken by the PE79.01 teacher Mr Spyropoulou Zoumboulia and the person in charge of the study Mr Spiliotopoulos Dimitris.
Project partners
University of Maastricht
Odyssey A.M.K.E.
University of Naples Federico II
Digital World Foundation
UWC Maastricht
University of West Attica
For more information about the project, you can visit the project website:
#2nd #Primary #School #JOINclusion #research #study
**Interview with Dr. Maria Konstantinou, Project Coordinator of JOINclusion**
**Editor:** Good afternoon, Dr. Konstantinou! Thank you for joining us today to discuss the recent completion of the JOINclusion research study at the 2nd Primary School of Aigio. Can you start by telling us a bit about the project and its goals?
**Dr. Konstantinou:** Thank you for having me! The JOINclusion project is part of the Erasmus+ KA220-SCH initiative, aimed at fostering empathy among primary school students through innovative educational tools. We have developed a mobile game that engages children in activities that challenge their perspectives and encourage understanding of others’ feelings and experiences.
**Editor:** That’s fascinating! How exactly does the game work, and what kind of feedback have you received from the kids at the 2nd Primary School of Aigio?
**Dr. Konstantinou:** The game, titled “Empathy Odyssey,” involves a series of interactive scenarios where students must navigate challenges while considering the emotions and viewpoints of various characters. During our pilot tests, the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Many students expressed that they not only enjoyed the gameplay but also gained valuable insights into the importance of empathy in everyday life.
**Editor:** It sounds like a wonderful tool for social-emotional learning. Given the recent global focus on inclusivity, how do you envision this project impacting the broader community?
**Dr. Konstantinou:** We believe that by instilling empathy in young learners, we can contribute to building more inclusive and understanding communities. The lessons learned from our game can extend beyond the classroom, prompting students to engage with diverse groups—such as migrants and refugees—and foster greater social cohesion.
**Editor:** That’s a powerful vision. In the context of the Game On project for migrants and refugees, how does JOINclusion complement or enhance those objectives?
**Dr. Konstantinou:** JOINclusion and Game On share a common goal of promoting social inclusion through innovative, game-based learning. While JOINclusion focuses specifically on empathy education for primary school students, Game On aims to create a broader platform for social interaction and cultural awareness among migrants and refugees. Together, we can create a holistic approach that not only educates children but also builds bridges between diverse populations.
**Editor:** It’s a wonderful initiative that addresses critical social issues. What are the next steps for the JOINclusion project as you move forward?
**Dr. Konstantinou:** Our next steps involve analyzing the data collected from the pilot tests, refining the game based on feedback, and preparing for its wider rollout in schools across Europe. We also plan to collaborate with educators and community leaders to ensure this tool is effectively integrated into learning environments.
**Editor:** Thank you, Dr. Konstantinou, for sharing your insights on the JOINclusion project. It’s inspiring to see such innovative efforts aimed at nurturing empathy and inclusion among young learners.
**Dr. Konstantinou:** Thank you for the opportunity to discuss our work! We believe that the future is bright when empathy is at the forefront of education.
