Sensory Guru has partnered with St Mary the Virgin Church of England Primary School, located in Hartfield, East Sussex, to tailor Magic Carpet content specifically for younger mainstream students. Since receiving the system in September 2016, Headteacher Emma Maltby has become a strong advocate, integrating Magic Carpet into her Year 2 class over the past two terms.

On what she found particularly exciting about Magic Carpet, Maltby comments that the ability of the technology to engage and involve the students to such a degree that the teacher was free to observe the class and direct it, spending more time actually teaching, was key.

A Teacher’s Perspective: Engaging Learners Like Never Before

Emma Maltby highlights how Magic Carpet has transformed her classroom:

"As a teacher, you’re able to stand back and facilitate. You can observe learning behaviors and social interactions because [the students] are so engaged. It really is that easy; there isn’t a need to maintain engagement because Magic Carpet is so appealing."

Maltby shares that the system allows her to focus on higher-order thinking and meaningful discussions. Students are naturally drawn to the interactive content, making even complex topics like phonics, grammar, and numbers engaging.

"The children are there, discussing the subject, because something is happening. As a teacher, all you need to do is direct their line of inquiry."

Learning Through Play

Maltby observed a unique phenomenon: students were so immersed that they didn’t realize they were learning.

"With Magic Carpet, the children were having fun and didn’t realize they were learning. When children are relaxed and having fun, they are learning at their best."

Magic Carpet caters to different learning styles—kinaesthetic, visual, and auditory—while providing immediate feedback.

Simplifying Teacher Workloads

With a vast library of pre-created apps and customizable templates, Magic Carpet simplifies lesson planning:

"There are so many apps to choose from, and you can create your own. This flexibility allows teachers to meet individual student needs while aligning with the curriculum."

The newly introduced Magic Carpet App Store further enhances resource sharing among schools, saving time and encouraging collaboration.

Tailored Development for Mainstream Education

Sensory Guru’s lead content developer, Tony Lowry, spent months observing classes to understand how young learners interact with educational content. Insights gained included:

• The need for short, focused activities to match attention spans.
• Using bright visuals and sounds to maintain engagement.
• Aligning content with curriculum standards, such as proper grammar and appropriate fonts.

These observations shaped the design of Magic Carpet’s apps, ensuring they meet the specific needs of Year 1–3 students.

Achievable Attainment and Long-Term Potential

Maltby notes that while long-term impacts are yet to be measured, Magic Carpet’s short-term benefits are clear:

"In terms of engagement, enthusiasm, and attention, Magic Carpet definitely hits those goals, which lead directly to learning and attainment."

Parents have also expressed their approval, appreciating the innovative, kinaesthetic approach to education.

The Future of Classroom Learning

Magic Carpet’s ability to support higher-order thinking, inclusion of all learning styles, and its role as a collaborative teaching tool makes it invaluable for mainstream education. As Maltby sums up:

"Magic Carpet enables all learners to get involved, creating a shared, engaging experience. It’s a tool that has the potential to redefine classroom teaching."

With its combination of cutting-edge technology, customizability, and curriculum alignment, Magic Carpet is set to revolutionize mainstream education, making learning more engaging and accessible for all.