Using Music to Benefit Learning and the Classroom

1. Using Music to Benefit Learning and the Classroom TED 387 Music Methods Dr. Steve Broskoske This is an audio PowerCast. Make sure your volume is turned up. Sound will begin on slide #4.

2. Outline • How music can be used in the classroom. • How can I practically use music to set tone/atmosphere?

3. How Music Can BeUsed in the Classroom

4. Establish a positive learning atmosphere. Build a sense of learner anticipation. Energize learning activities. Change learner brain wave state. Help focus concentration. Help increase attention. Improve memory. Facilitate a multisensory learning experience. Help students release tension. Enhance imagination. Provide inspiration and motivation. Add fun. Provide content information. Some Benefits of Musicin the Classroom From Music and Learning by Chris Brewer, 1995.

5. How Music Can BeUsed in the Classroom • Music can be incorporated in the classroom at 3 levels: High Teach educational content (content songs). • Enhance educational content. (Use music to help students understand, feel, and appreciate educational content.) • Set tone/atmosphere. (Create an atmosphere conducive to effective teaching/learning: music to prepare, music to focus & concentrate.) Low

6. Using Music to Set Tone/Atmosphere

7. The “Mozart Effect” • Refers to the transformational powers of music in health, education, and well-being. • Reduce stress, depression, or anxiety. • Induce relaxation or sleep. • Improve memory or awareness. • Treat dyslexia, attention deficit disorder, autism, and other mental and physical disorders and injuries. Mozart Effect.com

8. The “Mozart Effect” • Maybe: While some people claim that listening to Mozart (and similar) music can increase student academic achievement directly, this remains to be shown conclusively. • Definitely: Focus, attention, and concentration, as well as brain and heart rhythms, have been found to be affected by exposure to different types of music.

9. Improve Concentration and Focus • Music stabilizes mental, physical, and emotional rhythms. • Music helps learners attain a state of deep concentration and focus in which large amounts of content information can be processed and learned.

10. Improve Concentration and Focus • Especially effective: • Baroque music (Bach, Handel, Telemann, Vivaldi) that is 50 to 80 beats per minute creates an atmosphere of focus that leads students into deep concentration in the alpha brain wave state. Why?

11. Improve Concentration and Focus The heart usually beats at a rate of 60-80 beats per minute. Baroque music enhances a natural body rhythm.

12. Discovery of Brain Waves • Hans Berger, an Austrian doctor, first discovered alpha waves while researching brain activity in 1908. • Used an early EEG to monitor electrical activity in the brain. • He discovered brain waves.

13. Discovery of Brain Waves • Alpha waves: • Under calm conditions, when a person is relaxed, the brain produces alpha waves(8 - 12 Hz). • Beta waves: • When in a state of heightened watchfulness and reactivity, the brain produces beta waves (12 - 25 Hz). • Berger also noted that aggressive behavior may erupt when people are in beta.

14. Alpha vs. Beta • Beta: • Beta waves sharpen our responses and keeps us alert. Beta-driven responses are immediate to what we interpret as life and death situations. • Decisions made in beta can be reactive and defensive, rather than collaborative and constructive.

15. Alpha vs. Beta • Alpha: • In alpha we naturally have a better command of life, our health, our moods. We are able to think more clearly, consider responses and perhaps make more creative decisions, with better long-term results

16. Shifting of Brain Wave Activity • Typical day: • Delta wave activity during sleep. • Beta wave activity as we head into our day, supported by sugar and caffeine. • After a busy day, we return to delta wave activity during sleep. • In alpha we are at our most productive because we are fully awake, yet relaxed.

17. Alpha Music • Alpha-music encourages the brain to produce alpha waves. • Benefits: • Reduces stress and anxiety. • Settles down hyperactive behavior. • Feelings of panic or overwhelm subside. • Ideal for children with autism, people with dyslexia. • Great study aid for students of all ages: improves focus and recall.

18. Alpha Music Hear a brief explanation of Alpha Music, and listen to an example. If any of the embedded videos do not function properly, copy and paste the link in the speaker’s notes into a Web browser.

19. Read More About Alpha Music • Silence of Peace CD • Composer: John B. Levine Home Page Read aboutSilence of Peace

20. Research on Alpha Music • Can Music Promote a Conducive Educational Atmosphere ? • Two and a half week study. • Focused on a group of ten school boys aged 12-13, all identified as having behavioral and attention deficit problems.

21. Research on Alpha Music • Four different classrooms where seating arrangements were different. • A digital camcorder was used to record behavior. • 5 lessons were observed without music. 5 lessons had Silence of Peace CD playing in the background. • Students were also given tests and questionnaires with and without music.

22. Research on Alpha Music • Lessons accompanied by Silence of Peace showed significantly fewer instances of off-task activity. • Off-task activity: Fell by an average of 664 instances, a decrease of 20.5%. • Impulsiveness (average): Without music was 244.4, with music 69.4. • Hyperactivity (average): Without music 177.6, with music 95.8. • Talking (average): Without music 460, with music 58.6.

23. Research on Alpha Music • Study conclusions: • Alpha-music helped reduce boredom and helped keep students engaged. • Positive change in the behavior of students. • Students seemed calmer and more focused, which created an atmosphere more conducive to academic work.

24. Student Attitude and Motivation • With music, a teacher can influence students attitudes and motivation to learn. • Carefully selected music can: • Create a positive learning atmosphere where students to feel welcome to participate in the learning experience. • Settle students down into a state where effective teaching/learning can take place. • Encourage a mental state where students are focused and ready to engage in learning.

25. How Can I Practically UseMusic to Set Tone/Atmosphere?

26. Music for Welcoming Students • Play as background for entries, exits, and other transitions. Use to: • Greet your students. • Create a welcomingatmosphere. • Set a learning rhythm. Example: Four Seasons (Vivaldi)

27. Music for Welcoming Students • You could also choose music that will introduce the concept (or that is related to the content) of the lesson. • In this way, you mentally set the tone for the content of the lesson. Examples:I’ve Been Working on the Railroad [history lesson]For the Love of Money (Apprentice Theme)[money counting lesson]Native American song [Native American lesson]Song about recycling [science lesson on recycling]

28. Music for Focus and Concentration • Play as background music while students study, read, or write to: • Increase attention levels. • Improve retention andmemory. • Extend focused learningtime. • Expand thinking skills. Example: Canon in D (Pachelbel)

29. Music for Creativity and Reflection • Play as background for activities such as: • Journaling or writing. • Problem-solving. • Background for projectwork. • Brainstorming. Example: EineKleineNachtmusik by Mozart

30. Music for a Break • Use for a sound break or movement activities to: • Increase productivity. • Energize students during daily energy lulls. • Provide a stimulating sound break to increase attention. • Encourage exercise/movement. Examples: Fun songs like…Wooly Booly, YMCA, The Twist

31. Music for a Break • Let’s take a break! • What are good times to take a break in the classroom? They even take a break in baseball (the seventh inning stretch).

32. Improve Memory of Facts and Details • Improve memory of facts and details through songs, chants, poems, and raps through rhyme, rhythm, and melody. • Either teach this music to students OR have them write their own music. We’ll consider this use of music at a future class meeting.

33. Review • Music can be incorporated in the classroom at 3 levels: • Teach educational content. • Enhance educational content. • Set tone/atmosphere. • Music can affect heart rhythm and brain wave activity. • Today we examined ways to set tone/atmosphere.