Sensory Probes
Essays and exercises for teachers to cultivate artistic attitudes in the classroom

This book, edited by Anna Harris (Maastricht University), contains contributions by all SenseSquared partners. Its main objective is to show that a sensuous and artistic attitude can open up new and unexpected perspectives in educational settings. The approach is joyous and rewarding for everyone involved, and has a profound and lasting impact on the individual level. Moreover, it is conducive for deep learning and can align with the regular school curriculum.

SenseSquared wanted to demonstrate that this new approach:
• isn’t difficult to understand and apply
• can gradually be integrated into the existing school system and the actual curriculum
• has a profound positive impact on children-teachers interaction
• deeply and intuitively connects with the humanity of teachers and children
• contributes substantially to the intrinsic motivation and joy of learning
• may contribute to societal change

SenseSquared highlights the need for a form of education that promotes diversity and fosters communication, one that enhances creative problem-solving, allowing for unexpected outcomes. We need an education where all children and teachers alike can flourish in connection with each other and the world. SenseSquared suggests that art is the glue that connects diversity to inclusion, and inclusion to a sense of mutual understanding. Art can open up a wealth of completely new approaches to a world in need of more connection and a more systemic view of our place in it.

Table of contents

A Murmuration. A Gathering. — 11
A Team Ethnography — 31
The Poetic Self – Inhabitational Art at the Intersection of Aesthetics and Ecology in Sisters Hope — 57
Zooming One Thousand Birds – Online Learning at the Intersection of Aesthetics and Ecology in Companhia de Música Teatral — 83
hEAR DROPS – Eliciting Sensuous Interaction through Sound and Music in the Digital Era — 109
Unfolding Musical Behaviour and Nurturing Togetherness through Singing — 133
Zintuin Artistic Interventions in Schools — 153
Practical Toolkit for Nurturing an Artistic Attitude in Classroom Settings — 181
An Education for the Future – Four Thinkscapes, One Horizon — 207
Bios — 235
SenseSquared Partners — 245
About SenseSquared — 251

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