ERIC Number: EJ978389
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2012
Pages: 4
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1059-7417
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Special Needs Sensory Learning from Philly to Kuwait: Creative Pool Design Builds Character, Confidence and Decision Making
Hill, Franklin; Shiavi, Damaris
Educational Facility Planner, v46 n1 p13-16 2012
Sensory experiences are the foundation of the learning process, regardless of cognitive ability. However, within the context of students with special needs, the sensory experience may focus on therapeutic and psychological relaxation without necessarily having clearly defined educational goals that directly improve learning. The frequently used "sensory room" is a case in point. This article discusses how the Overbrook School for the Blind's Kappen Aquatic Center, in Philadelphia has taken sensory learning to the next level through the development of a sensory based "Activity Pool". The activity pool's unique provision of fountains, bubbles, currents, color identification, pool side and bottom textures take aquatic education to a whole new level...one that brings a very unique educational experience to all students with visual impairments. The creative planning behind the Kappen Aquatic Center's activity pool required the staff to first think "in the box" of their classroom to ultimately get "out of the box" for the design of the pool. Recognizing that the classroom is the safest environment promoting independence for children with visual impairment/blindness are encouraged to build self-esteem, confidence, and risk-taking, it was felt that those basic classroom features must be transferred creatively into the activity pool design.
Descriptors: Recreational Facilities, Educational Facilities Design, Special Needs Students, Sensory Experience, Visual Impairments, Special Schools, Foreign Countries
Council of Educational Facility Planners International. 11445 East Via Linda Suite 2-440, Scottsdale, AZ 85259. Tel: 480-391-0840; Fax: 480-391-0940; e-mail: contact@cefpi.org; Web site: http://www.cefpi.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3372
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Elementary Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Kuwait; Pennsylvania
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A