Enhance SEL skills of secondary school students through collaborative MINecraft gaming Environment

<< Background >>The project was developed and submitted at a time when anti-covid regulations were in force, including distance learning in schools. Partners understood and emphasized that maintaining the engagement of children is critical. Going to school is not only about learning math and science, but also about social relationships, collaboration and peer-to-peer interactions. It is about learning to be a citizen and developing social skills.Needs addressed by the project:School students need opportunities to develop social-emotional learning (SEL) skills that not only improve academic performance, but also increase empathy, reduce depression and stress during these tough times of social isolation and are highly effective in addressing initiatives like anti-bullying, diversity and inclusion, and special education. SEL emphasizes mastery of 5 core skills that prepare students for social success, as well as boost academic achievement. These were:-Self-awareness-Self-management-Social awareness-Relationship skills-Responsible decision-making<< Objectives >>By implementing this project, we aim to address the social and emotional challenges faced by children due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our goal was to promote SEL-skills instruction and learning practices in upperprimary and lower secondary educational level to address the challenges imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic such as school closures, physical distancing and loss of familiar environments. The project seeks to mitigate the pandemic's negative impact on education by fostering engagement and connectivity in creative and collaborative distance learning environments.We intend to ensure that all children have equal opportunities to maintain and develop their socio-emotional skills. Engaging with media, especially tools for distance learning such as video games and mobile learning, will empower educators and those working with children to sustain learning focused on SEL skills.Our approach involves developing a research-based handbook with guidelines for implementing SEL through Minecraft and creating comprehensive educational gameplay in Minecraft. This gameplay will include challenges, lesson plans, resource packs, and mods, providing educators with resources to develop SEL game-based activities. << Implementation >>All planned activities were implemented. They included activities in the area of management, dissemination, evaluation and PRs development. In management, bilateralagreements were signed, management space in AdminProject were prepared. 3 „face to face „TPMs were organised, also online meetings were organised according to the needs.. In the area of PRs, partners implemented 4 main activites within PR1, and 6 within PR2:R1-A1: Identification of digital methods for remote SEL deliveryR1-A2: Transcription of SEL skills to Minecraft game-based featuresR1-A3: Conceptualisation of SELMINE game environmentR1-A4: Development of SELMINE Handbook for educatorsR2/A1: Conceptualisation and design of SELsMINE WorldR2/A2: Elaboration and development of creative challengesR2/A3: Design and development of resource packs and modsR2/A4: Creation of Lesson PlansR2/A5 Internal testingR2/A6 Final version in all languagesSharing & Promotion Plan was prepared and logo, website, social media, project brochure, 4 editions of newsletter, 4 project articles, dissemination reports, 6 project infographic and sustainability plan. << Results >>The project produced the main tangible results: Handbook for SEL game-based delivery in Minecraft and collaborative educational gameplay in Minecraft, targeted at SEL-skills enhancement. In the context of this tangible result, the outputs comprise: The SELsMINE Minecraft World, The SELsMINE creative challenges, comprising a series of tasks to be completed by learners in the SELsMINE Minecraft world, each one addressing the core SEL skills, The SELsMINE resource packages and modifications, allowing educators to customize the SELsMINE Minecraft World, The SELsMINE lesson plans. The intangible results achieved through the use of tangible results include an increase among students:•Self-awareness: The skills to understand one’s emotions, thoughts, and values and how they influence behavior in different contexts. influence behavior in different contexts. •Self-control: The skills to manage one’s own emotions, thoughts, and behaviors effectively in different situations and to achieve goals and aspirations. •Relationship skills: The ability to establish and maintain healthy and supportive relationships and to navigate effectively in environments with individuals and groups. •Responsible decision making.