The Ensemble project aimed to foster social inclusion through mobile learning. It tested teaching methods and content formats suitable for mobile phones and MP3 players to teach adults (first generation migrants) and young people (second generation migrants). The project partnership included universities and schools in Italy and France. They developed podcasts, multimedia messages, and learning objects to target students and parents. Evaluation found that netbooks showed potential for ubiquitous learning, and schools could play a role in integration initiatives through student activities and parent involvement.

1. The Ensemble project
When m-learning fosters social inclusion
The Ensemble project
When m-learning fosters social inclusion
Co-financed by the European Community in the Lifelong Learning Programme
Project n°: 143427-LLP-1-2008-1-IT-KA3-KA3MP
Pierfranco Ravotto
Ensemble Project manager

2. Aims
Inclusion & social cohesion
are two European goals
The European Commission underlines
“the potential of new technologies to enable
innovative services and empower people in
particular young people at risk of exclusion,
migrants and cultural minorities, notably through
multilingual and adapted content”.
“i2010 initiative on e-inclusion – To be part of the information society”,
European Commission, 2007

3. Aims
New technologies give us a
glimpse of emerging new settings
and possibilities for the future
society, suggesting new
affordances, which, however, have
to be adequately adapted and
geared towards goals that are
ethically significant.
Antonio Calvani
Scientific Director of the Ensemble project

4. Ensemble idea
The starting idea was to take
advantage of widely used technologies,
like MP3 players and mobile phones,
and test out teaching methods and
communication formats suitable for
these tools and for the addressed
target:
• adults (1st generation migrants)
• young people (2nd generation).

5. Ensemble idea
The starting idea was to take
advantage of widely used technologies,
like MP3 players and mobile phones,
and test out teaching methods and
communication formats suitable for
these tools and for the addressed
target:
• adults (1st
generation migrants),
• young people (2nd
generation).
During the project it was also decided
to test the use of netbooks because of
their potential in fostering ubiquitous
and inclusive learning.

6. Ensemble partnership
The project was based on two experiments
that had already started:
• the use of podcasts in the
classrooms by teachers in Yvelines (CG78
& CRDP)
• the use SMS by the Prato
Municipality to inform citizens
Promoter: Florence University, Education
Science department
Technological partner: GiuntiLabs UK
CRDP

7. Target
Young people, second generation
migrants
Young people, second generation
migrants
Students
Adults, first generation migrantsAdults, first generation migrants Parents
Age: 13-16 classes with a high
percentage of immigrants
SchoolSchool

8. Target and tools
Young people, second generation
migrants
Young people, second generation
migrants
Students
Adults, first generation migrantsAdults, first generation migrants Parents

9. Target and tools
Young people, second generation
migrants
Young people, second generation
migrants
Students
Adults, first generation migrantsAdults, first generation migrants Parents

10. Target and tools
Young people, second generation
migrants
Young people, second generation
migrants
Students
Adults, first generation migrantsAdults, first generation migrants Parents

11. Workplan

12. Reports, ArticlesReports, ArticlesPodcasts, MMS, LOsPodcasts, MMS, LOs
Where to find the products
www.ensembleproject.eu

13. Conclusions
• The partners, both in Yvelines and in Prato, intend to go on
using mobile technologies, re-using the Ensemble learning
materials and methodology.
• MMS, multimedia communication through mobile phones,
proved to be less powerful than our expectations.
• The idea of using netbooks in classroom is a real possibility,
which well fits the mobile learning sphere.
• The school can be the core of an integration action starting
from students activities to involve their parents.

14. Thank you for the attention
pierfranco.ravotto@gmail.com
http://www.ensembleproject.eu
Co-financed by the European Community in the Lifelong Learning Programme
Project n°: 143427-LLP-1-2008-1-IT-KA3-KA3MP