The project is aimed at supporting learning in the development ages (6-10 years, primary school) through the methodology of T-DST in small cooperative groups of vulnerable children (using i-Theatre laboratory settings). It is carried on with the education partners: School Institute Aldeno-Mattarello, ANFFAS, Computer Learning.
Foster inclusion of vulnerable groups at early ages (to prevent later Early School Leaving)
• Increase basic skills (read-write and calculation)
• Increase motivation to participate in the learning process
• Increase attention, socio-relational and linguistic expression skills
• Realize shared and reusable multimedia texts / artifacts
4 educational paths to support identified vulnerable groups
TOTAL: 150 hours project (75 hours ANFFAS teacher, 75 hours Computer Learning).
To carry out the activities, the project involves the use of the creative workshop/atelier spaces “Digital narrative workshop” available to the Aldeno-Mattarello Institute.
These laboratories consist of a narratively oriented setting of film invention in which the traditional creative activities (drawing, oral story, bed-writing and calculation, symbolic and theatrical, musical game) are integrated in natural continuity with the use of a digital mediation based on objects, facilitating and intuitive, in an integrated laboratory environment for multimedia authoring. In particular, space is divided into 3 functional areas:
In this way, the educational setting is configured as an effective, rich and complex collaborative learning environment for carrying out project activities.
2-hour lessons held in parallel with curriculum time/activities (vulnerable groups are working separately from the rest of the class during project activities).
The synergy between project and school activities for the inclusion aim: some intermediate and final sharing moments are implemented, to share and reflect upon the experience with the whole class.
Support actions
Tutor: Methodological/technical support in using i-Theatre, 30 hours (Computer Learning).
For the activities the methodology of T-DST has been implemented through this model:
Performance and recording with i-Theatre (+editing can be done by children, or to simplify by the trainer).
4. Sharing of the video-performance with the whole class and parents
i-Theatre, video projector, pc.
Paper, pencil, colors, books.
Video artifacts of digital stories produced with i-Theatre.
Project implemented in 2-year time (2018-2019 and 2019-2020), ongoing.
First major considerations: project objectives can be achieved but with great effort. Often group climate is too disturbing to carry on any educational activity.
Groups so composed (choice was “the most non-certified vulnerable children in the class”) are difficult to manage due to the presence of children with marked behavioral difficulties/hyperactivity (“oppositive-aggressive”) together with others that are more peaceful and attentive: activity is completed toward the goals (i.e., create & record cooperatively a small story in the small group) but with difficulty and the need for continuous limitation of the behavior for some children.
For some children, reconducting the activity to a sensory-motor communication (e.g., symbolic play/dramatic performance without media) proved to be an effective way; for them, the only other effective activity is an individual relationship in pair with the educator.
INCLUDED – Digital Storytelling for Inclusion