New proposals for Sense Sensitive Design in UK primary schools to be revealed today

09 October 2008

Sense Sensitive Design in schools “could transform primary learning”, says top researcher

Richard Mazuch will present the new concept of Sense Sensitive Design at the Government’s Primary Capital Action event.

Sense Sensitive Design is a unique new concept – derived from Mazuch’s extensive study into the relationship between sensory engagement and learning – which means designing learning spaces with the purpose of stimulating each of the human senses, in order to achieve maximum benefits for their users.

Based on findings from his study, Mazuch argues that in order to achieve maximum learning potential from pupils, all senses must be engaged. Mazuch stresses that this concept must be taken into account not only when designing educational buildings and spaces, but also in ongoing teaching methods, in terms of empowering teachers to control environments at will e.g. lighting, temperature, space, modulation etc.

“This is a concept that could revolutionise the way we teach primary school pupils. Many people associate learning primarily with listening, but there are hundreds of other factors that have an impact on the learning process for children, and until we address these factors holistically we are not allowing children to achieve their full potential.”

Richard Mazuch, Senior Director,
Nightingale Associates

The Primary Capital Action Conference marks a key stage in the Government’s 2005 Primary Capital Programme (PCP), which aims to radically improve and transform at least half of the UK’s primary schools in order to achieve diversity and responsiveness, extended services and personalisation in education. The event invites key stakeholders to present ideas and proposals that could contribute towards the aims of the Programme.

Sense Sensitive Design aims to eradicate common problems of poor classroom conditions that have a negative impact on students’ performances.

Mazuch has invented tools that can be used as a basis for creating an effective learning environment, such as “emotional mapping” and “design prescriptions”, which are designed to be used for ongoing teaching and learning, as well as initial design.

“It is imperative that we first strive to gain an understanding of children's’ sensory development and the way their minds develop and work. We are then in a better position to create optimum learning environments.

“Educational architecture must be based on evidence-based research, taking into account a number of different factors, for example, mental health factors and varying needs of different age groups of children. It is essential that we bring all of these factors together in order to create effective learning spaces.

“At Nightingale Associates, we use a number of unique research-based design tools to provide ‘design prescriptions’ to various groups of teachers and pupils, prior to starting the design process. The Government’s Primary Capital Programme provides a principal opportunity to put our findings into practice and dramatically improve the ways in which teachers teach and children learn.”

Richard Mazuch, Senior Director,
Nightingale Associates

Richard Mazuch will be speaking at 11:45am and 1:45pm on Thursday 9th October 2008 at the Primary Capital Event, which will be held at the Business Design Centre in Islington, London.