Creating a Soundtrack for learning

Creating a Soundtrack for learning With Marc Ratcliffe

Overview Why music? How music affects learning Where to find appropriate music How to select the best fit for your session Creating your own compositions Popular music vs Production Music Using music to support content.

Why Music? Think about films, television programs or advertising – why is music used? Set the scene Create a mood Grab attention Build an emotion Complement the images As a transition.

Why Music Listening Activity Gonna Fly Now (Theme from Rocky) Jaws I am the Doctor in Utah

Why Music? There are basically three reasons to use music in the learning environment: Learning Informationthrough Active Learning Experiences and Memorisation Heightening Attention and Creating the Desired Attitude and Atmosphere for Learningthrough Welcoming Music, Sound-breaks, and Community Builders. Inspiring Personal Expressionthrough music for Creativity and Reflection and activities that provide an opportunity to express through sound.

How music affects learning Music helps create learning states that assist in holding attention and increasing retention of information. Music stabilizes mental, physical and emotional rhythms and facilitates students' attaining a state of deep concentration and focus. Songs, chants, poems, and raps will improve memory of content facts and details and provide a hook for retrieving information easily later.

How music affects learning Background music as students enter, exit or take a break is used to provide a welcoming atmosphere and help prepare and motivate students for learning tasks. Music provides a positive environment that enhances student interaction and helps develop a sense of community and cooperation.

Where to find appropriate music Itunes – “royalty free music” or “background music”

Where to find appropriate music http://www.royaltyfreemusic.com/free.html www.royaltyfreemusic.com

Where to find appropriate music www.royaltyfreeheaven.com

Where to find appropriate music www.stockmusic.net

Finding the best fit Major and Minor Key Flats and Sharps Mix of instruments Classical vs contemporary.

Creating your own compositions Audiotool(www.audiotool.com) Noteflight (www.noteflight.com) LMMS - Linux multimedia studio Garage Band for Ipad

Audiotool

Noteflight

Linux Multimedia Studio

Garage Band

Basic Formula Set Tempo (beats per minute) Drum Track or other percussion Basic Chord progression using Primary Instrument (e.g. Piano, Guitar etc.) Add Bass Line Freestyling using alternative instrument.

Popular Music vs Production music

Using Music to Support your content How could you use Music to support your content?

Some Cautions… Check out volume levels both at the front of the room and at the back. Fading music in and out is much better than a quick "cutoff" of sound. Be careful not to use music too much - the mind will tune out sounds if it heard all the time. Save music for specific, planned use.

Good luck for your own musical journey!

Creating a Soundtrack for learning

Creating a Soundtrack for learning

Presentation Transcript

Creating a Productive Learning Environment

Creating a Climate for Professional Learning Communities

Creating a Context for Professional Learning

Creating a Learning Environment

Creating a Learning Plan

Creating a Holistic Learning Environment

Soundtrack Production

Creating a Culture for Learning

Soundtrack

Creating a learning economy

Creating a Container for Learning

Creating a Learning Community Vision

“Creating a Learning Culture”

Movie Soundtrack

Soundtrack!!!

Creating a Reflective Learning Community

Creating a Learning School

Creating a UW Online Environment for Learning

Creating a Culture for Learning

Chapter 2: Creating a Vision for Learning

Creating a UW Online Environment for Learning

Creating a Positive Learning Environment