Gamified Values Education For Fostering Migrant Integration at Schools

"<< Background >>The application for this project stemmed from the pressing need to address the challenges immigrant students face in integrating into their new schools and societies. Immigrant students often face numerous difficulties, including separation from their families, homes, and cultures and the need to adapt to new, unfamiliar environments. This transition is further complicated by issues such as poverty, loneliness, and psychological stress. Teachers also need help with the complexities of managing culturally diverse classrooms, which necessitates adequate preparation and resources to support these students effectively. The project aimed to bridge this gap by developing innovative methods to aid the integration process.​<< Objectives >>The project's primary objective was to ease the adaptation process for immigrant students through gamification in English language classes. The Gamigration project aimed to make learning more enjoyable and less stressful, facilitating better integration into school and society. The project sought to teach English vocabulary and grammar explicitly while also imparting European Citizenship Values such as respect for human dignity, equality, inclusion, tolerance, and respect for diversity. The project intended to accelerate mutual acceptance and integration among immigrant and local students by fostering an understanding of these values. Additionally, the project aimed to raise awareness among educators about the importance of these values for successful integration.<< Implementation >>The project involved several key activities. Firstly, a ""Factor Analysis"" was conducted to identify factors hindering the integration of immigrant students, using questionnaires targeted at immigrant students, local students, and teachers. Secondly, ""Games-Based English Lessons about EU Citizenship"" were developed to teach European Citizenship values implicitly while explicitly teaching English. The third result included creating concrete teaching materials and a gamified eLearning course to strengthen common European values. Finally, ""Branching Scenarios"" were created to help students understand each other's lifestyles, family life, culture, and value judgments through interactive, decision-based scenarios. These activities collectively fostered empathy, understanding, and better student integration​.<< Results >>The project yielded significant results, impacting both participants and partner organizations. Innovative English lesson materials were developed, changing the mindset of students and teachers regarding European Citizenship Values and the integration of immigrants. These materials included games-based lessons and gamified eLearning courses, which were implemented in partner schools. The project facilitated a deeper understanding of European values, helping immigrant students adapt more easily and fostering better acceptance among local students. Additionally, the project enhanced the capacity of partner organizations to support social productivity and improved communication skills through the innovative use of gamification and eLearning techniques. The dissemination efforts ensured that the project's outcomes reached a broad audience, promoting sustainable impact and ongoing use of the developed materials​."