No, it's not your everyday Q98.5 or KFRX. She read some research that says when kids are listening to music they test better. However, there are some requirements to this. It needs to be 60 beats per a minute. Also, there cannot be a recognizable tune in it. The 60 beats per a minute keeps the pace moderate, not too slow and not too fast. Obviously, the fact if there is a recognizable tune then the students would begin to focus much more on that than the task at hand.
Our CT relayed this information to us. The music stimulates the brain so that they are using more of their brain and opening up better recognition abilities if there is music playing. The great side to it as well is that it covers up most of the noise that comes through the walls from the neighboring teachers. This helps maintain focus as well.
It's a really cool concept and something that I hope to do in my classroom.
P.S. Every Mozart song is written in 60 beats per a minute.
Tyler, I thought this was really interesting! I was one of those learners that got really distracted when music was being played during tests. I wonder if these rules had been followed if it would not have bothered me as much. I think what I really like about your CT doing this is the fact that she used research that is being done to help her classroom. I think a lot of times we hear things or tricks but do not follow up with them. Maybe it is beneficial to follow up on the new techniques to teaching and learning that we hear and actively try to implement them to see how it can impact our own classroom. Have you noticed any positives or negatives that have come from this environmental change in the classroom?
ReplyDeleteTyler - I did this when I was a teacher as well, but like Brittany mentions - not all students liked it (whether it was useful to them or not I'm not sure). So, I started alternating whether I did it for each quiz/test. research does show that music from the classical period is helpful for logical thinking and I think music from the romantic period is good for creative thinking... What if we want logically creative thinking or creatively logical thing :-) I agree that I am curious about whether your CT has noticed the impact of this and I agree that using research is a great way to enhance what you are doing in your classroom.
ReplyDeleteOne of my high school math teachers played music every day. We had homework time daily and so during that time he would put in a CD. His music, however, was not classical. They were popular songs with lyrics. I never had a problem with this music and no one else voiced concerns either. Perhaps it was because it was so soft that you could only barely hear it. I want to try using classical versus popular tunes to see if there is a difference. I also wonder if volume has something to do with it. Great post. Something interesting and unique to blog about.
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