Royalty free music is helpful when your not huge on stealing other peoples music without their knowledge (eg, Limewire). For the world of legal downloads we have iTunes and Bigpond music. But if its not pop music or well known classical where can we find it? Places like Incompetech help us out here. They provide us with various length clips without copyright laws attached. Which basically makes it free music.... which we can use in a presentation to set a mood or to claim back a classes attention when their minds begin to wander. I believe that a great use for a few pieces that I have found is for quiet free time, soft music, like piano which settle and promote a calm environment. This kind of music is swear word free and my favourite pieces don't have words at all. Music in a classroom at a low volume level is also great when you have a disruptive class next door or work being completed outside your room. It will often help to block out the noises without distracting the students in independent work. Music which isn't from a popular genre won't have children singing or dancing along either.
I enjoy working with some background music as I do find that it blocks out the surrounding noises in my house, which includes the neighbour's dogs. I can honestly say that doing this helps me to work well.
3 comments:
Hi Zelina,
I actually like music playing in the background as I work too, although I cannot study if there are songs playing as I can't concentrate and want to sing along.
Interestingly, studies have shown that playing music while studying optimises learning and memory (Cottrell, 2003). Brain scans also show that music lights up both hemispheres of the brain (Dickinson, 1993). Music also helps reduce stress which can block information from entering the memory banks (Willis, 2007). While you probably think where would I have time to look up this information I actually had to prepare an essay and presentation on memory strategies. I just thought I would share this with you as I found it interesting and another way we can assist students. If you would like the full references just let me know as I would be happy to give them to you.
Cheers
Meryl
Hi Meryl!
I love it when there are actual facts to support something which I have been supporting with out actually having any proof to support me. It's good to know that there is some proof out there!
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