Our partner Město přátelské k dětem recently conducted a pilot of the “My Hood” digital mapping tool with a group of 8th-grade students from ZŠ Antonína Čermáka in Prague 6. The activity took place in the school’s neighborhood and was designed to introduce students to the app while encouraging them to observe and evaluate their surroundings.

Nineteen enthusiastic students, guided by their teacher, participated in the session. Equipped with iPads, they explored key public spaces around their school, using the app to assess urban features in real time.

Exploring the Neighborhood with My Hood

The workshop began in the classroom with a short introduction to the project and its goals. Without prior experience using the app, the students then moved outside and jumped straight into exploring their environment. They assessed two public spaces: Park generála Lázaro Cárdenase and Náměstí Interbrigády, alongside the urban spaces surrounding their school building.

While navigating the app, students created profiles, selected avatars, and intuitively explored its functionalities. They particularly enjoyed uploading photos of places they found interesting and engaging in a friendly competition to complete evaluations.

Key Takeaways from the Pilot

The students provided valuable insights into their urban surroundings:

• Engagement & User Experience: They quickly adapted to the app’s features and enjoyed the interactive experience. The competitive aspect added an extra layer of motivation, boosting their participation.
• Urban Observations: Students highlighted various aspects of their neighborhood, commenting on accessibility, design, and maintenance issues.
• Technical Feedback: Several small bugs were identified during testing and reported to the development team for future improvements.

Teachers’ feedback

The teacher and her students were excited to take part in this hands-on activity. She emphasized the value of digital tools like “My Hood” in fostering students’ awareness of urban spaces and encouraging critical thinking about their environment.

What’s Next?

This pilot provided valuable feedback that will help refine the My Hood app and enhance its usability. Město přátelské k dětem’s insights contribute to the ongoing development of the tool, ensuring it remains an engaging and educational resource for young urban explorers.

Stay tuned for more pilots as we continue to empower students to rethink and reimagine their neighborhoods!