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Sep
23
Listening to Music Helps Students Be More Productive in The Classroom
Filed Under "At-risk" students, Behaviour Management, Special Education, music in the classroom
I was looking through Friday’s Globe And Mail (C2) when this headline caught my attention; “If music be the food of work, play on.” I read the article with interest.
Workers are more turned on by tuning in to music, a survey finds.
Nearly one-third -32 per cent- of 1,613 U.S. employees said they listen to music while working through the use of an iPod, MP3 player or similar device.
And 79 per cent of them said all that humming along improves their job satisfaction or productivity, the survey conducted by Harris Interactive for staffing company Spheron Corp. found.
The effect of music was the highest among younger workers, with 90 per cent of those 18 to 24 and 89 per cent of those 30 to 39 saying it boosted job satisfaction.
That finding didn’t surprise me one bit. As a teacher, I’ve known that for years. Listening to music helps improve productivity. Why? One reason is because music acts like white noise in the background preventing students from noticing every other little noise that usually distracts them. Some kids can’t tune out things like a pencil dropping or someone asking a question. Their brain takes everything in; consequently, they are often distracted and off task in the classroom.
Of course there have to be some guidelines for this to work effectively. I’ve learned the hard way.(Have you noticed, I seem to say that often?) After discussing using music as a tool to assist with concentration and focus, I give student these guidelines (well, they’re actually rules, but “guidelines” sound so much better. Some of my at risk students have trouble with rules. It’s all how you say it. I’ve learned that the hard way, too) These are the guidelines:
1. Listen to music that you know and love. Listening to new, unfamiliar music is distracting (your brain focuses on the new) and that defeats the purpose.
2. Listen to your own music on your own iPod, Mp3 player etc. Absolutely no sharing. Sharing wastes time and causes commotion that is distracting to other students and that defeats the purpose.
3. Listen to your music after I have taught the lesson. Listening to music while I am teaching distracts you from what I am saying and that defeats the purpose.
My students are cool about the whole music thing in class. They understand the need for guidelines and usually don’t push too often. It’s amazing to see the kids hooked up to their music and working away, doing far more while listening to their music than they would without listening to their music.
When I create an Individual Education Plan for my Learning Disabled or Behaviour students, if I believe that listening to music while working will help that student be more successful, I will include that accommodation in the I.E.P. and share that with the student’s teachers.UPDATE
Click here for research about benefits of music in the classroomComments
47 Responses to “Listening to Music Helps Students Be More Productive in The Classroom”
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I’m always surprised by survey results like this. I have never been able to either study or work while listening to music. Even when it’s familiar music, I find myself soon focusing on the lyrics instead of the task at hand. I know a lot of people function just fine with music in the backgroun, but I’m not one of them!
You are not alone. Some of my students tell me the same thing. They can’t concentrate when they listen to music. That’s why I don’t just play music in my classroom for all to “enjoy”. Not every strategy works for everyone- too bad. But, it’s worth trying any strategy just in case it does work. As an advocate for my learning disabled and at risk kids, I encourage classroom teachers to try any strategy even if it sounds crazy to them to see if it works for their students. Nothing ventured; nothing gained.
As a teacher is a computer lab this is a strategy I have used probably for the past two or three years. I am firm about them being attentive and music being put away for a lecture, but at work time, if it helps them, so be it. I make them keep in turned down to a reasonable level (I don’t want to hear it) and I like the no sharing thing.
The problem I run into is administration. This is of course a blatant disregard for school policy and it has gotten me into trouble before, so be ready to defend your reasons if it becomes and issue, even if you don’t win the battle. People will respect your reasons.
Michelle, it’s interesting that you made your comment today. At work we were having a discussion about music and how it’s against the rules for the kids to listen ito music n the classroom. I don’t know why it’s such a contentious issue. The only reason I hear people say that we shouldn’t listen to music is that it’s against the rules. Well then I say, change the rules and those people who don’t want to break rules will be happy.
‘m pleased to hear that you see the benefit of having your student listen while they work. Listening to music with headphones is like sitting in one of those carrels that teachers put kids in so they are away from the other students. When a kid listens to the music this way he isolates himself from others and is not distracted by them and does not distract them.
I have a question, how do you word the IEP accommodation to permit music?
Rita, I usually just say that the student should be able to use headphones while working on seat work but not when the teacher is teaching or class is taking up work. In my class I usually ask all the students to turn off the music, take the headphones off and make eye contact so that I know they are with me. I talk about good listening skills and what that means for kids who like to listen to music when working. I do not permit sharing equipment-it causes too many problems. Hope that answers your question.
hey Elona.
I’m a student in high school and I’m writing an article for our school paper on music in classrooms.
I was wondering if it would be okay if I could quote you. so far, your information has been the most helpful!
thanks!
–alex
Alex,
I’m delighted you found this post useful. Please feel free to quote anything I have said.
Hi Elona,
Im actually doing a science project in a class and my group chose the subject “How does music affect kids in a classroom?”and your blog has helped me a lot to anwer that question.Thanks very much!
Taranesha,
You’re very welcome. Glad I was able to help.
I don’t see any distinction made in these comments between music with lyrics and instrumental music. In my experience, people who listen to lyrics while writing end up writing nonsense that rhymes with the lyrics their brain is processing, or words that rhyme with what they intended to write. I’d suggest that classical or instrumental music is much less disruptive and may indeed focus the brain away from random environmental sounds that grab your attention and distract you. Big difference. Ban rap!
Marie,
Thanks so much for taking the time to post a comment about this particular article. I haven’t found a difference between listening to instrumental music and lyrics, but maybe your right. I haven’t gotten any writing assignments that were weird because my students were listening to lyrics. I’ll have to ask my students and see what they say about it and get back to you.
This is great! I’m a keyboarding teacher who has recently allowed my students to bring in their I-pods and headphones to listen to music while they work. I had been in a struggle of getting them to work quietly, stay on task, and focus on the work being done. Since allowing the music in the class and of course, after I finished the lesson my students are quiet, they remain on task, and they actually retain the information for later use. It’s amazing! Plus the distractions from other students or just from people walking in the classroom has been elinminated because they are being doing the assignment given and listening to their music.
Amanda,
You’ve made my point! Thank you for sharing your experience.
Im a Junior in high school, and i find that I cant concentrate at all if im not listening to music. It kind of gets me in the zone, and I block everything else out.
My school used to have a study period (where u can do your homework, or just talk with friends) and I used to listen to my mp3 player during that period and get my work done. But then my school went and changed the rules. Now any mp3 players are taken away if seen by a teacher, and teachers wont allow them in their study classes, now I get like no work done at school, It really stinks.
I have to give a speech about why mp3 players should be allowed in school for my english class. I really like some of your facts, and I was wondering, do you mind if I use some of your information?
FINALLY someone who agrees with me im in middle school and i love music i cant live without it im doin a project and your site is like the best mind if i use some of the info on this site you are by far the koolest teacher iv ever heard from
ROCK ON logan
Logan,
By all means. you can quote me to support your argument. Glad I could be helpful. Thanks for the compliment!
I ABSOLUTLY AGREE MY LAST YEAR TEACHER DID THIS FOR US AND OUR SCORES ON TEST WENT UP TO AN EXTREME PEOPLE DONT THINK LITTLE THINGS LIKE THESE CAN HELP BUT THEY DO
Meka,
I’m glad it worked for you. Spread the word.
I am currently a permanant subsitute teacher who is working on an M.Ed. The district I work in does not allow any digital music devices. For my M.Ed Thesis/Project I would like to create a proposal to the School Board about the matter. In my experience there are many students who genuinely learn better with music playing. Students today have very little “silent time” in their day….they are acustomed to continuous background noise and they have learned to be productive with it. As far as I am concerned the school is hindering learning by not allowing any Mp3 players in the classroom. I agree that students should be able to use them while doing tests and individual work. Hopefully after my project my school district will agree.
Kelly,
Good for you taking on this battle! Some people don’t realize that familiar music acts like white noise and blocks out other distractions like a pencil dropping or someone walking by the classroom. I get distracted if someone walks by my open classroom door or if my students walk around the classroom. I am a strong visual learner and get distracted by things that move, yet I need to be fidgiting all the time- go figure.
Please keep in touch and let us know how things are going. I would love to know what your research shows and how the school district reacts to it.
My students who have an Individual Education Plan get to listen to music because it is one of the accommodations that allows them to do better. Of course, I’m the one who creates the plan
and writes the accommodations. I would encourage any parent/guardian/teacher of a kid who would benefit from listening to music to help them concentration to make sure listening to music while working gets put into the IEP. One has to be creative sometime. I have never had any problems when I do it this way.
I do not let kids share ear buds or exchange equipment. That causes problems.
Hi, I’m a freshman in high school. I’ve been researching articles and .org sites for information on my question which is ‘Does the tempo of music affect the academic performance.’ I chose this question because music is my life. It helps me cope with a lot things that have gone on in my life. I was googling sites for my paper, and i came across this article. I just wanted to say that this is exactly what people need to be reading about. For some people, like me, listening to music really helps you out in things. I always listen to my ipod when I’m doing my homework or projects, ha I am right now as im typing this. You’re completely right about music blocking out noises. I’m the second oldest of 8 kids so it’s really noisy sometimes and it helps me a lot. I’m just telling anyone who reads this, Elona is 100% correct on this. Thanks.
Megan,
Thanks for taking the time to comment. All I can say is spread the word. People aren’t aware of the power of listening to music. Good luck with your project.
Elona,
There is a group of us doing a paper on music in the class room for an inroduction to psycology class and we were wondering if we could us some of your information?
hello Elona,i really like this article.i’m only in junior high but i know that listening to music while doing my math work really helps me concentrate more and it helps me overall.i was researching on facts about why teachers should let their students do this and this article was the first one that came up.as i said before, i really like your work. and i was wondering if i could quote you for the essay that i’m writing.thank you soo much.
much love,
Stephanie Sophia.
Hi ive been trying to get my teacher to allow me to listen to music in class but she says i dont have good reaserch. can u help me?
Matt,
The only research I have is what I put in my article. Perhaps you could use the arguments in my post and in the comments others have left. Hope that helps.
Well to me I feel that listening to music can help with creativity. Sense I like to draw I would find my self listening to rap music to help me out with my creative thinking, so music can help you with work and ect.
Wesley,
Thanks for sharing your experience re music and creativity.
As a student I think its a great idea to listen to music while doing classwork or any kind of work! Music helps me concentrate more on what I’m doing! The students that i have discussed this with have also thought the same!
If you have any web sites that have facts about how listening to music helps us students concentrate better please email me! i am doing a research project on this subject!
Thank you! :]
Hey this website is alwsome because i need to do a persuasive essay for school and this i just what i need
Stephanie,
I’m glad I could help.
I’m a music teacher so of course I’m ecstactic about advocating the use of music in the classroom. (And of course, I’m secretly hoping that everyone is using quality music.) I’m also one of those people that can’t listen to music while studying - too distracting especially if lyrics are involved but still distracting if it’s instrumental music. I find myself listening rather than doing what I should be doing. (I know of other musicians who have the same problem.) I have however heard of a couple of studies where it was found that students (especially those non-musicians) concentrate best to classical music that is in 4/4 meter, i.e. 4 beats to a measure. A classroom teacher with whom I once taught swore by it. So, put on some Mozart and start the brain waves going. Hope that can help someone!
Donna,
Thanks for sharing your experience and the info about classical music. That’s good to know.
omg thanks so much you are a life save because i am writing a paper and this is the the peice of thing that i have been looking for thak you so much and kepp up with the good work and hope your teaching gose great
sincerle jillin fellow beliver
hey elona,
i am writing an essay on how listening to music while doing hw helps kids be more productive. I need to hve quotes in each of my paragraphs, so i was wondering if it would be okay if i quote you.
Thx!!
-kap
Sure-quote me. Glad I could help. My most recent post, yesterday actually has more info so if you haven’t seen it check it out.
Thanks for all your help!!!!
Thank you for writing t his article. my mom always makes me turn off my music because she thinks it is distracting me from my homework. In actuality it helps me focus. she would never believe me when i told her that for some people, listening to music actually helps them. this article helped me to prove my point. thanks!:):)
I have always found that listening to music helps me focus on my work. I LOVE music. I’m even listening to music right now. =] I’m writing an article for my magazine for my English class. As an 8th grader in a school where electronics are no longer allowed in class, my peers and I are always trying to persuade our teachers to let us listen to our MP3 Players, but since they dont want to get in trouble, they wont let us. My science teacher will turn on the radio, but this girl always turns it to country and I’m not a very big fan of country, so it makes it REALLY hard to concentrate. I find that I agree with this article. I was also wondering if I could use some quotes for my article? that would be GREAT.
thank you for all the help i needed on my essay elona! your surveys really helped me out! and your site was helpfull.
bob
elona
Im a junior in high school and i am doin a research paper on how music affects the way people act live learn and express their emotions and ur article helps me alot and me being a dancer i listen to music all the time especially when preparing 4 a concert like im doin now. music is my escape, it takes me to a place of meditation and focus. and when i am focus i become driven and when that happen there is nothing that can stop me from finishing a task i was thinking of taking this issue to my school board to have our no electronics rule to help future students do better. thanks 4 all ur help and i will keep you posted on my results of the school board.
THANKS BIG
CHARDA
Charda,
Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. I’m glad my post and the coments people have made have been useful.
I’m pleased to hear that listening to music helps you be more productive. That’s great, and good for you for advocating for music in the classrom. Let me know how things go. Get other people to support you as well when you talk to the powers-that-be. Good luck.
Hello Elona,
I am a trainee art teacher, and for my final research project I am investigating just this! if you could give me any pointers on possible areas to look for research I would be forever grateful.
I would just like to add as well, that I have always had music played in art lessons I attended, from lower school right through to degree. It would seem very strange for me not to have music on whilst doing artwork. And in a personal note, I am dyslexic and find that in order to be able to write an essay, I have to choose a single song or very short playlist which constantly repeats. The repetition subconsciously stops my mind from wandering, and gives my writing better flow.
I play music in all my art lessons, but the school does not allow MP3 players except in the art exam, when they are mandatory! 10 or 15 of silence makes for a noise craving.
I have found that my students always work better when music is playing, and when asked they all respond positively for having music played whist working.
Now I have found that my students have a leaning towards rock/pop/dance/mainstream rnb & rap and some alternative and folk, music. as long as they have a good mixture, they are happy. oddly enough, Guns and Roses and The Who are favorites of all the years I teach.
They also far prefer music with lyrics in! which could be to do with the very visual/kinesthetic ways in which they are working normally in there art lessons. it acts as a counter point to occupy the part of the brain they are not using.
well, ok after the novel, I shall sign off.
ash.
Ash,
Thanks for sharing your personal experience, especially about how useful you yourself find listening to music is to help your maintain your concentration.
As for research, go back to this article and you’ll notice I’ve put an update with a link to research.
Hope that helps.
Elona,
I am going to start a special school room in August. I would like some tips how to start the day as I have students from age 7 to 30, numbering about eight students. The IEP will be prepared later but for a start pls help me as I found your site very exciting, using creative things to bring about the best in such children.
I will be grateful to you if you could help me out here as I have to handle everything alone this year.
Maria
Maria,
Wow, you’ve got quite a job ahead of you. I’d love to help anyway I can. Thank you for the kind words of support, bye the way. I appreciate the feedback.
I have some questions though. You mentioned IEPs so I assume some type of special education support is needed. Could you give me some more details about your students. Email me the details so I can get a better picture of what the students needs are. Then I’ll be able to give you some useful suggestions.