Using music to enhance the learning environment

Posted by Emma Dechoux on August 26, 2012 at 3:57pm in Learning Delivery & Facilitation

As we know music is a great tool to use which enhances and aids learning. We can use this to create anchors, to inspire and to promote creativity amongst other things.

We have been discussing this in my team but have yet to come up with playlists that we can use.

I have come across www.stereomood.com which is a website that has lots of different moods on the home page for you to choose such as happy, inspire, working, thinking to name but a few. It then as if by magic creates a playlist to suit this particular mood - genius!

Give it a go and let me know what you think and if anyone else has any info on this topic, please share!

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left, music, right, senses, brain friendly learning, accelerated learning, left brain, right brain

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Replies

Ady Howes February 12, 2014 at 11:54am

I'm really big into the orchestra version of Viva La Vida (Coldplay) at the moment. I did some brainstorming on my own with this one this morning. Would have better to be in company, but at least I enjoyed myself and it was productive!

It's this one....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMK1ftad1J8

Ady
Mike Collins June 5, 2013 at 2:53pm

Came across this and wanted to share - fantastic infograph included

http://www.educatorstechnology.com/2013/06/why-is-it-that-some-pref...
Mike Collins August 29, 2012 at 9:19pm

Hi Emma,

This is an interesting post and thanks for the share, I've just given stereomood a look and it looks really good. In my mind using things like music to support learning is touching on accelerated learning techniques so I think Krystyna Gadd could add something to this discussion.

I did some quick research and found this http://www.songsforteaching.com/references.htm which provides some specific articles on using music to support learning. Might be worth having a look through them.

Interestingly a few years ago we did a huge roll out of NICI (New Improved Car Insurance) at Direct Line. A full days training for a massive system and underwriting change. We used music, scented pens, small desk toys and also the timed spray air fresheners going off at hourly intervals. We chose forest fresh as apparently it awakens the senses and we steered clear of lavender as it apparently helps people sleep lol

All the things we're discussing help the learning process through association and stimulating our senses to help us remember. I'm sure it's something to do with how the left/right brain works as well but I'm no expert.

The funny thing that I remember from those particular sessions was that attendees would state that the pssst from the freshener was actually off putting rather than helpful ha ha. We ended up turning them off.....

Fascinating subject though let's hope others can share any similar experience / experiments

Mike
- Emma Dechoux > Mike Collins August 31, 2012 at 1:40pm
  
  Hi Mike,
  
  Thanks for the link, I read the accelerated learning book and there is some very interesting stuff in there.
  
  I have also just started to use air freshener, mine is orange as it aids mental alertness and is energising. I spray it round the room in the morning and then every break time.
  
  For the kinesthetic learners we also have things in the room like koosh balls and putty etc.
  
  Would love to hear any ideas from others...
  - Krystyna Gadd > Emma Dechoux August 31, 2012 at 2:58pm
    
    The environment plays a small part in accelerated learning, but it is important in setting the scene and making it engaging and safe for the learners. I use music quite a lot and the tend to play classical at either a slow or faster pace depending on whether I am reviewing learning or introducing new material.
    
    The general rules for choosing music are:
    
    Concertos
    
    Major key not minor
    
    Piano, string or flute
    
    Keep away from brass
    
    Interestingly I chose the fast music once when reviewing and had lots of complaints that it was stressing people out! Steve Halpern has written music for accelerated learning - you can download or buy his CD's.
    
    If you have some classical music good composers are Handel, Vivaldi, Beethoven, Chopin. You will know if the music is in a minor key as it sounds sad.
    - Emma Dechoux > Krystyna Gadd August 31, 2012 at 3:12pm
      
      Thanks for this Krystyna.
      
      I have tried classical music and it is a tricky one for the demographic of people that work in our business. They are very young and always moan about the classical music, asking to put something else on!
      
      Young people - no taste :-)
      - Krystyna Gadd > Emma Dechoux September 7, 2012 at 6:07pm
        
        I guess you could try to find contemporary music in the fitness class arena - its the beats per minute that are important and that it tends to be mostly instrumental. Lyrics can bring he music too much into consciousness.