Using Music to Benefit Learning and the Classroom TED 387 Music Methods Dr. Steve Broskoske This is...
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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.
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
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.
Slide 3
Outline 1.How music can be used in the classroom. 2.How can I
practically use music to set tone/atmosphere?
Slide 4
How Music Can Be Used in the Classroom
Slide 5
Some Benefits of Music in the Classroom 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. From Music and
Learning by Chris Brewer, 1995.
Slide 6
How Music Can Be Used in the Classroom Music can be
incorporated in the classroom at 3 levels: 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.) High Low
Slide 7
Using Music to Set Tone/Atmosphere
Slide 8
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
Slide 9
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.
Slide 10
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.
Slide 11
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?
Slide 12
Improve Concentration and Focus The heart usually beats at a
rate of 60-80 beats per minute. Baroque music enhances a natural
body rhythm.
Slide 13
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.
Slide 14
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.
Slide 15
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.
Slide 16
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
Slide 17
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.
Slide 18
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.
Slide 19
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 speakers notes into a Web
browser.
Slide 20
Read More About Alpha Music Silence of Peace CD Composer: John
B. Levine Read about Silence of Peace Home Page
Slide 21
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.
Slide 22
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.
Slide 23
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.
Slide 24
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.
Slide 25
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.
Slide 26
How Can I Practically Use Music to Set Tone/Atmosphere?
Slide 27
Music for Welcoming Students Play as background for entries,
exits, and other transitions. Use to: Greet your students. Create a
welcoming atmosphere. Set a learning rhythm. Example: Four Seasons
(Vivaldi)
Slide 28
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: Ive 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]
Slide 29
Music for Focus and Concentration Play as background music
while students study, read, or write to: Increase attention levels.
Improve retention and memory. Extend focused learning time. Expand
thinking skills. Example: Canon in D (Pachelbel)
Slide 30
Music for Creativity and Reflection Play as background for
activities such as: Journaling or writing. Problem-solving.
Background for project work. Brainstorming. Example: Eine Kleine
Nachtmusik by Mozart
Slide 31
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
Slide 32
Music for a Break Lets 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).
Slide 33
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. Well consider this use of music at a
future class meeting.
Slide 34
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.