My Learning Journey in ICTs for Learning Design



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Photo courtesy of Flickr. Retreived 11th April 2010

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Music can help students remember...

Looking at the INCOMPETECH website, I was not inspired to consider using music in science lessons. While trying to think of ways to use music in a Science class, I looked at the link on Natalie's blog to Songs for teaching website, where Chris Brewer lists using music to help students remember lesson content. I have never considered using music in a science class but after looking at this website I was interested in the types of music Chris suggests using and then ways to use it. He suggests using it for learning journeys, for example an imaginative journey related to an academic topic- take them around the solar system or through the digestive tract. Chris also suggests having the students relax while the music is playing and then the teacher describes a process slowly and with a calm voice. He states "students love these quiet reflective times and the journey information will be securely bonded into their memory" I will be keen to try this with some of the students I teach and see how effective this may be.

Most children of today, are spending large amounts of time listening to music and seem to able to relate to it. Mind you, the music used for science lessons may not be similar to what the usually listen to, but it may result in them enjoying the lesson more. Some children come out of their shell when music is playing and this would be a good technology for those who are shy, have low self-esteem and lacking in confidence.

3 comments:

  1. Hi Emma

    Thanks for the link to the Music Memory Activities website. Like you I hadn't thought about using music in either of my teaching areas to enhance learning for my students. Till now, the only thought I had for using music in class was as relaxation or concentration aid for students with learning needs (like Asperger's Syndrome [Attwood, 1998]). I'm looking forward to seeing if 80's power music correlates with learning about business activities and ethics!

    Cheers,
    Karen
    s0191020

    Attwood, T. (1998). Asperger's Syndrome - A Guide for Parents and Professionals. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers

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  2. Hi Emma

    Thanks from me as well. I also hadn't thought of using it this way except for passive background music. It would be great for lessons where there is alot of information to present but to do it in a way that avoids the 'Chalk and Talk'.

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  3. Hi Emma,
    The link to Chris Brewer's site was amazing. I had just attempted to use a utube video with wonderful soundtrack of clouds to help with a powerpoint I had created on clouds for a year 12 Multistrand class. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwTnyRHEZSQ
    You can click on it in my Blog. I was going to finish the powerpoint then play this. They were last lesson Monday arvo. But Best laid plans:(.Penny

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