This website is a treasure trove of royalty free music and tunes. Using music to enhance learning has been researched enormously, however, it is not used in classrooms as much as it should be. Unlimited Lists 8 ways of using music for teaching.
1. Music relaxes the mind and lowers stress levels that inhibit learning. When used effectively, it increases alpha levels in the brain, boosting memory and recall and allowing the brain to access reserve capacities.
2. Music acts directly on the body, specifically on metabolism and heartbeat. Listening to certain types of music can trigger the release of endorphins, producing a tranquil state that leads to faster learning.
3. Music stimulates and awakens, reviving board or sleepy learners and increasing blood and oxygen flow to the brain.
4. Music is mathematical. Certain musical structures stimulate specialized brain circuits, allowing learners to decode complex ideas more easily.
5. Music inspires emotion, creating a clear passage to long-term memory.
6. Music is a stage-changer and can be used effectively to get students into an effective learning state.
7. Music is a universal language, uniquely capable of crossing cultural barriers and training in ethnic traditions and values. It can set a dramatic stage for lessons in history, foreign language, sociology, political studies and geography.
8. Music is a powerful anchor that moors learning in memory.
I used a u tube video on clouds for the end of a lesson on clouds with a fantastic uplifting soundtrack. The students thought it was great, it really settled them down as it was the last lesson on a Friday afternoon and then I had them look out the window and draw which clouds they saw. They seemed to want to interact a lot more after.
I would like to introduce music more into the classroom and will continue to research this as most us listen to background music whilst studying and most students would like to bring their ipods and listen to them however, then they can't hear what is being asked. So there would need to be a happy medium.
References
Dryden, G. V. (1999). The Learning Revolution. Auckland: The Learning Web Ltd.
