“Music is the electrical soil in which the spirit lives, thinks and invents.” –Ludwig van Beethoven
We all know how greatly music affects our feelings and energy levels! Without even thinking about it, we use music to create desired moods– to make us happy, to enjoy movement and dance, to energize, to bring back powerful memories, to help us relax and focus. Music is a powerful tool for our personal expression within our daily lives– it helps “set the scene” for many important experiences.
For the past decades, researchers have been in constant search for validation of this assumption. For some, music can be an effective tool to enhance learning and participation from the students of today’s generation. Music for everyone is a source of all emotions and a source of life, in the same way, music is also considered as a source of knowledge and learning.
By means of integrating music to the classroom, the following benefits have been observed:
l establish a positive learning state and a desired atmosphere
l build a sense of anticipation
l energize learning activities
l change brain wave states
l focus concentration and increases attention
l improve memory by facilitating a multi sensory learning experience
l release tension thus enhancing imagination
l align groups, develop rapport
l provide inspiration and motivation
l add an element of fun
Chris Brewer, author of the Book Music and Learning, suggested ways by which a teacher can integrate music to the daily routine of the students. He also pointed out various music types for various purposes, depending on what the teacher wants to generate from the class.
Here are three areas of teaching where integrating music can be highly effective. These techniques work for people of all ages and from many societies. The very young, teens and adults will experience an increase in their effectiveness and joy of learning from these uses of music.
1. LEARNING INFORMATION
Music can be used to help us remember learning experiences and information. In Active Learning Experiences music creates a soundtrack for a learning activity. The soundtrack increases interest and activates the information mentally, physically, or emotionally. Music can also create a highly focused learning state in which vocabulary and reading material is absorbed at a great rate. When information is put to rhythm and rhyme these musical elements will provide a hook for recall.
2. ATTENTION, ATTITUDE AND ATMOSPHERE
(The Three A’s) Preparing for a learning experience can make the difference between lessons well-learned and just passing time. Certain music will create a positive learning atmosphere and help students to feel welcome to participate in the learning experience. In this way it also has great affect upon students’ attitudes and motivation to learn. The rhythms and tempo of musical sound can assist us in setting and maintaining our attention and focus by perking us up when we are weary and helping us find peace and calm when we are over-energized in some way,
3. PERSONAL EXPRESSION
Music is the doorway to the inner realms and the use of music during creative and reflective times facilitates personal expression in writing, art, movement, and a multitude of projects. Creation of musical compositions offers a pathway to expressing personal feelings and beliefs in the language of musical sound.
Music, according to the author can extract the needed participation and the generates excitement from the students if the proper music types will be in place. Such that, Chris Brewer, enumerates some of music styles and the goal it satisfies:
1. Focus and Concentration Music. Play the music when students are reading, writing, or thinking to facilitate:
· increase attention levels
· improve retention and memory
· extend focused learning time
· expand thinking skills
2. Creativity and Reflection Music. Play as back ground music for activities such as:
· journaling or writing
· problem-solving or goal-setting
· background for project work
· brainstorming
3. Welcoming Music.Play as background for entries, exits, breaks. Use to:
· greet your students
· create a welcoming atmosphere
· set a learning rhythm
· expand musical awareness
4. Active Learning Music. 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
· make exercise more fun
· encourage movement activities
Music has been a food to the soul as how water is to our body. Educators need to be innovators as well. The learning curve of today’s generation have switched from the traditional methods and ways to learn to a more modern and integrated ways to learn. However, it is a good thing that music is never and will never be outdated, as music is a constant in the formula of modern learning. Proper utilization and application lies on the perspective of the educators. After all educators have one common goal – Knowledge and Learning.
By: Aileen L. Lumaban | Teacher III | Limay Nationahl High School | Limay, Bataan
