Brain-Based Teaching

 

“Brain-based Teaching” is not just a fad in the education world; it is a scientifically based  understanding of how people learn. Scientists and educators are now collaborating on  studies of the human brain as it relates to learning with applications to disabilities and  “Special Needs” students. There are specific practices emerging from brain research that  teachers can use to enhance learning by all students.

 

The National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities is one place to look for  resources. Their website lists hundreds of excellent articles and websites for further  research.¹⁵ The National Association for the Education of Young Children is another that  focuses specifically on elementary (primary) school education¹⁶

 

I would like to share with you a bit of what I do with respect to brain-based research as I  apply it in my own classroom. I use a variety of techniques that scientists have shown make  a real difference to the brain and student learning. Among these are the use of music in the  classroom, making deliberate changes to mental states, and specific ways to give directions  to student learners to achieve positive results.

 

Music in the Classroom

 

“Musick has charms to soothe a savage breast…”

-- William Congreve, 1697

 

Kids today are exposed almost constantly to music of various kinds on television, in malls  and office buildings, on their own cellphones or computers. As movie makers know, music

 

can set the mood for any scene. Playing music during classes can change the atmosphere of  the class from noisy to quiet, from chaotic to organized. It is an important tool that is not  used as much as it could be by teachers.

 

As far as the type of music that I play in the classroom, it's mostly from Eric Jensen's CD  collections of music.¹⁷ Jensen has become internationally recognized for his “brain-based”  publications for teachers. He links current brain research with strategies to improve student  achievement. Music is one of the key tools he uses to stimulate positive feelings in the  classroom.

 

He suggests considering the emotional state you are trying to elicit, the age of the listener  and the types of music that are most familiar to them. Songs with words should be reserved  for special occasions or games; Jensen suggests relying mainly on instrumental music of  various kinds.

 

To celebrate the start or completion of tasks, something upbeat can get students inspired.  For lengthy writing tasks, calming music with a slow rhythm can aid concentration.

According to various brain studies, beats per minute (BPM) can have profound effects on  the human body and brain. Jensen writes:

 

“Songs in the 35- 50 BPM range will be more calming, while those in the middle  55-70 BPM will be more moderate for seatwork. For activities, the pace might be  70-100 and for energizers, maybe 100-160 BPM will REALLY rev it up.”¹⁸

 

I bought a $600 BOSE IPOD music system that I use regularly in the classroom. Now I would  not recommend that new teachers spend that kind of money initially. I would suggest going  to Wal-Mart and picking up a CD player for around twenty-five dollars -- or if your school  offers Audio-Visual equipment, to request that a CD player be made available in your class  every day. Alternatively, you can attach good speakers to a computer or smartphone – just  be sure they can put out sufficient volume to be heard by a classroom of excited, noisy kids!

 

The point here is that it is not the cost of the system but rather that appropriate music can  assist students with a given activity and you will want to be able to access music as a  teaching tool at any time.