VINCE

User test in Turku: Insights on app functionality, usability, and content

The VINCE project continues to prioritize user-oriented service design, ensuring that the application is tailored to real needs of its users. A key part of this process is gathering direct feedback from migrants and those who support them. During the spring 2025 we are organizing a series of end user tests both in Finland and Sweden. Recently, International House Turku and Sateenkaari Koto organized a test session in Turku. In this session participants were able to test the VINCE application on mobile phones and give their insights on the application’s functionality, usability, and content. This feedback is important for optimizing the VINCE app to better serve its diverse user base.

Focus on user oriented service design

By organizing user tests and workshops, the VINCE team is able to gather direct feedback and make informed improvements to the app. This approach ensures that the application evolves based on real-world experiences and needs.

Workshop in Linnasmäki: Testing the virtual rooms and AI usability

In March 2025, the VINCE team in Turku conducted a user test session at Linnasmäki Opisto. The workshop brought together Finnish language students, who were beginners in their language studies. The workshop was focusing on the use of virtual rooms and AI interaction. The aim was to gather information to understand how migrants would interact with AI, what questions they might ask, and how they seek information about integration topics.

Workshop structure and tasks

The workshop was designed to gather diverse feedback through a series of hands-on tasks. The participants were divided into four small groups, each rotating through different tables where specific tests were conducted. Each table was set up for 15-minute intervals, ensuring that all participants had the chance to contribute to each area of focus. Topics at the different tables were:

  • Table 1 focused on the virtual rooms, where participants interacted with the digital environment to evaluate its functionality.
  • In table 2 the participants tested the AI’s usability with a fictional character, assessing how well the AI could respond to common queries.
  • In table 3 the participants wrote on a large mind map what kind of questions they might ask from AI. From these the facilitator compiled the most common themes and queries.  
  • Table 4 examined how participants search for information on integration topics and their use of social media for such purposes.

Valuable insights and collaborative effort

The results of the workshop will play an important role in further refining the VINCE application. Both participants and the facilitators saw the session as a positive step in ensuring the app is truly user oriented.

– Working as a team and combining resources with International House Turku and Sateenkaarikoto created a functional and versatile workshop. It was rewarding to see participants actively engage, using either their native language or Finnish to write questions for the AI, stated Katja Ollikainen, the Project Coordinator at Sateenkaari Koto.

– The workshop offered an excellent opportunity to delve into the virtual rooms of the VINCE application and assess their usability. Focusing on functionality and the users, we were able to gather direct feedback that will help develop solutions to better support the integration of migrants, emphasized Abdel Bettahar, a Digi Coach at International House Turku.

Feeding back to the development work

The feedback gathered during this user test is fed directly into the application development process. These insights will guide the optimization of the virtual rooms, AI interactions, and the overall user experience. By continuously engaging with the end users and iterating on the application, project VINCE wants to create a tool that is both functional and relevant to the needs of migrants and those working to support them.