St. Medardus primary school in Wessem first to use Philips SchoolVision
St. Medardus in Wessem will be the first school in the province of Limburg in the Netherlands to use the advanced Philips SchoolVision. Sixth-grade students will be using this progressive lighting system from today. The system makes it possible to adjust both light intensity and light temperature. Experiences with SchoolVision prove that specially adjusted light has a positive effect on the children’s learning environment. Students that use SchoolVision, for example, score an average of 18 per cent higher in concentration tests. Cofely, which is responsible for installing the lighting system at St. Medardus, will also install it at Venlo’s Talentencampus (Talent Campus). An example for many schools in the province of Limburg to use the system in the future.
SchoolVision is an advanced lighting system that makes it possible to adjust both the lighting intensity and colour to the activities in the classroom. Teachers can adjust the light to the situation by means of a control panel. ‘Clear light that energises can be used in the morning and after lunch, while a warm light conducive to peace and quiet can be used towards the end of the day,’ explains Rob van der Grift, Account Manager at Philips. ‘Scientific research carried out with the University of Twente shows that specially adjusted light has a direct and lasting effect on the concentration of students, and initial experiences at schools indicate substantial improvements in this regard.’
Contributing to a better learning environment
Cofely Southeast is responsible for the installation and maintenance of the SchoolVision system at St. Medardus. ‘We’re proud to be providing something that will improve the living and learning environment as well as the learning performance of students in Limburg. SchoolVision is an advanced solution that serves an important public interest,’ says Rob de Esch, Cofely Southeast’s Project Manager. ‘We’re therefore happy to be giving both children and teachers a tool that has a positive effect on performance in primary schools. Many (primary) schools in Limburg will follow the example set by St. Medardus.’
Limburg is getting to know SchoolVision
St. Medardus primary school is part of Stichting Katholiek Onderwijs Maasdal (SKOM), a foundation for Catholic education that is supporting the introduction of SchoolVision in Limburg. ‘We are delighted that Philips and Cofely are now introducing this system in Limburg as well, since a school’s learning environment is a key factor with respect to the well-being of students and their learning capacities,’ says Marcel Janssen, SKOM’s Managing Director.
While learning comes easily to some children, others have difficulty concentrating. Some children are quiet by nature, while others are more outwardly active. SchoolVision makes it possible for teachers to influence these temperaments and energy levels in the course of a day in order to create the best learning environment; an environment that engages students in the subject being taught, makes it possible for teachers to provide guidance, and ensures that everyone gets the most out of the school day.
According to research carried out by Philips and the University of Twente into schools’ experiences with SchoolVision, light has a positive effect on children’s learning processes. Better light increases concentration and motivation and improves the behaviour and sense of well-being of children at primary schools. Children that tested the lighting system on its merits valued their learning environment more. In addition, their capacity to cooperate was positively influenced.
The settings for the different lighting scenes - Energy, Quiet, Standard and Concentration - are pre-programmed in the system and can therefore be activated by a single push of a button. Energy matches the light of a clear, cloudless summer day at around noon. Quiet provides the equivalent of a gentle evening sun. When completing a test, for example, children are given the energy of a cool light with a blue sheen. When it comes to handicrafts, peace and quiet are required and a warm light set to a low level is used.
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Cofely, a GDF SUEZ Company
Cofely is part of GDF SUEZ Energy Services, the European leader in multitechnical services. GDF SUEZ Energy Services offers its customers in industry, services, and infrastructures made-to-measure solutions, whether in the fields of engineering, installations or energy services. GDF SUEZ Energy Services employs 76,000 people and achieved revenues of € 13.5 billion in 2010. GDF SUEZ Energy Services is a business line of GDF SUEZ, one of the leading energy providers in the world.
Press Contact:
Ingrid Clauwaert,
Manager Public Relations Cofely Nederland NV
Tel: +31 30 656 94 59
[email protected]
