More and more teachers are allowing students to listen to music in class.
Perhaps not during direct instruction. But once students are let go to work independently, in go the earbuds.
It’s odd to me, to be honest, that anyone would think this is okay. But the trend has only grown in the past year.
Now students are beginning to see it as a right, as if it’s bequeathed to them by the gods of technology. After all, they’re not bothering anyone. They’re not being disruptive.
So what’s the harm?
Well, it’s well established that the notion of multitasking is a myth. The brain can’t concentrate on more than one thing at a time.
Music alone, however, isn’t the problem. Classical music, for example, has been shown to enhance concentration. It does this by lowering blood pressure and improving mood.
When you feel good and energetic, you learn better. This happens subconsciously. Classical music provides a background complement rather than a competing stimulus.
It drowns out distraction and heightens focus on the object of attention.
But students aren’t listening to Chopin or Beethoven. They’re listening to music with lyrics. Lyrics are meant to speak to the listener. They’re meant to tell a story and elicit emotion.
They are, by nature, distracting.
According to research, multitasking alone (i.e., switching back and forth between two or more tasks) can decrease IQ by ten points. Add lyrics, which further impairs cognitive ability, and you have a powerful one-two punch.
Think of trying to read or do even basic math computations while a friend shares a gossipy story. It can’t be done, at least not very well.
Another consideration is the content many students are listening to, which promote—and some studies link to—violence, alcohol and drug use, and sexual behavior.
So, why are teachers allowing it?
Well, some give in to just about anything in an attempt to appease students into better behavior. They try to be the cool teacher who lets students listen to Cardi B or Snoop Dog.
Others are afraid. They don’t want to confront students or take away their cell phones and airpods. They don’t want the pushback. So they capitulate.
I understand. It’s become an uphill battle. Even with rules, students listen to music anyway and dare teachers to follow through. This is happening predominantly at the high school level, but is also trickling down to lower grades.
And as more and more teachers allow it, the pushback grows stronger. The entitlement deepens. Hiding a bud in one ear or behind a cascade of hair becomes more rampant.
But you mustn’t give in.
Allowing students to listen to music while trying to concentrate is terrible for them. It cuts their comprehension and performance dramatically. And that’s just for those who are actually trying to learn.
The truth is, most students listen to music to escape your class. They have no intention of doing their best or focusing on their work.
So put an end to it. Don’t allow it to happen. Explain to your students why it hurts them and then enforce it. Commit to it, like any other rule.
Your students may not appreciate you now. But they will respect you and appreciate you in the long run. How they feel about it, however, isn’t your concern.
What is your concern, and your job, is to provide a world-class education. So Monday, or whenever you next see your students, even if you’re the only one at your school, take a stand.
Turn against the rising tide. Do it for them. Your school and fellow teachers may be failing your students, but that doesn’t mean you have to.
PS – My new book Inspire is now available. Click the link to learn more.
Also, if you haven’t done so already, please join us. It’s free! Click here and begin receiving classroom management articles like this one in your email box every week.
You are awesome. Thank you.
I do not agree on this one. As a student, I was able to concentratie on a certain task far better while listening to my favorite artist. I knew all the lyrics by heart, so they didn’t distract me anymore.
Ditto! I can’t work in complete silence. It gives me anxiety.
The article doesn’t say silence is a must, just the music with lyrics is a distraction.
Exactly. Some students waste time trying to find the right “song” to listen to.
Usually having Youtube blocked is not about the music as much about the games. But, the programs close them as same.
There are exceptions. All cases must not be exactly same..
I play classical music on low volume for background noise. It’s not distracting, and some students actually like it (shocking to me). I teach high school kids. I also don’t like complete silence. I don’t listen to classical myself, but I think it’s a good compromise for the classroom.
YES. PLAY BAROQUE NOW. BEST TEACHER EVER
Did you forget that you are only one person. Perhaps there are a few others like you. However, a teacher must be inclusive in providing a conducive learning environment to all students. In your case, if you were my student and provided an excellent rationale for putting in the buds, perhaps I might consider some form of differentiation. But your argument would need to be airtight.
100 % agree! It was the only way I could do homework and the Beatles and Siouxsie and the Banshees helped lol!
I agree with you Being a student myself listening to music helps me complete my assignments and work faster. My teachers allow me to listen to music and as long as its not to loud im allowed and i never distract the class
Wow! Yes, teachers, we must stand up for our next generation to good. Make a discipline for these new technologies are killing our students or children. Thank you so much for this food if thought, I have been saying this to my daughter to stop her child. Thanks a lot. I appreciate this! Teachers let us get yo work fir the best world.
Don’t assume you know what’s best for younger generations. They benefit most from positive influences and the freedom to think and learn independently. Step in only when they clearly need external support, whether they ask for it or not.
Could you cite your research. I often like to look at the raw data and testing conditions to fully understand the conclusions. Also would you apply these rules during creative art and physical activities?
I was also curious where this conclusion came from. What is the research that supports this? And more importantly, when was this research conducted?
At this point, I do allow my students to listen to music. They have to be working, otherwise their buds are mine (pun intended). And by no means do I care about being the cool teacher. I am the cool teacher because I take the time to get to know each of my students and create a relationship of trust and understanding. Frankly, if they are on task and passing the class, what is the problem?
By allowing my students to be trusted to do the responsible thing, I’ve built solid relationships. The fact that they know I trust them to get the job done with an accommodation has actually increased student productivity in my classes. Furthermore, my RSP cluster class is giving my high achievers a run for their money when it comes to our class quiz average.
The generation that we are teaching is the “here’s an iPad, now be quiet and don’t bother me” generation. These kiddos have been overstimulated by tech since a very young age. Their attention span is no longer something that we hold in our hands. Traditional practices are not all that effective anymore. Having students sit quietly and do their work is a thing of the past. Lecturing at students and expecting them to just behave is no longer effective.
While I appreciate what is being said and somewhat agree to an extent, we do have to adapt our practices to meet the needs of all students.
No …it’s not a thing of the past o do work quietly and focus! My students do it every day! You have to be assertive and expect it from them. Teachers are dropping expectations …and the test scores are dropping at an alarming rate!
I agree with you 100%!!!
Being assertive and setting high expectations for students is helpful, but it’s also important to recognize that every student is unique. Research shows that music, especially instrumental music, can improve focus and attention. While songs with lyrics might be distracting, instrumental tracks provide a simple solution that could enhance concentration for many students.
Hi Erica,
I respectfully disagree with your take.
I wonder, would you feel comfortable playing music to the whole class that, like Michael said, has violence, drugs, alcohol, and sexual content in it? Music that might be raucous and invasive to creative and intellectual thought processes? It is inappropriate in the classroom and therefore inappropriate for individual students. Trust is important, but you really don’t know what is going into their ear as they “focus” on completing important assignments.
If like you say, students are over stimulated outside of school, wouldn’t you want to provide a peaceful space where students can have a respite from the agitation of the bud; To have a moment of quiet to let their deep minds step into a world of mental focus and calm.
Best wishes,
Casey
I agree with the idea that the type of a choose music in the classroom at certain times especially when doing some activity should be set carefully, classical one is strongly recommended.
Thank you for bringing out this subject, it would supports classroom’s management in many aspects .
Yes, I agree that classical music or some type of new age music without lyrics can be helpful for some students rather than complete silence. Music with lyrics is distracting.
Hi. What if students listen to music in a language they don’t know? For example, in some African dialect?
Exactly! I listen to babymetal, Hatsune miku, ibuki takai, and other jpop, im not sure if there is swearing atleast in the songs i listen too in school consider i open it and put a new browser.
The second students put on THEIR music, they are isolated and no longer part of the classroom community. I try to keep things moving in class so there is no reason they ask to listen alone, often I play classical music just so it is a shared experience instead of isolation.
Not only is it bad for learning, but listening to music at high volume can lead to hearing loss and keep kids from hearing alert sounds like fire drills, traffic, or other safety commands.
And headphones/earbuds keep fresh air from the ear canal. Bacteria love that moist environment – infection anyone?
I agree. Play classical or soft music without lyrics at a low volume for the whole class. Do not allow ear buds.
I disagree. If you teach in public school… there are hundreds of distractions… other students, hallway noise, phone calls, … I find that if I allow my students to listen to music, they are able to drown out the other distractions and get their work done. That being said, I teach art and I find all types of music great to listen to when I’m in the throws of creativity.
Thank you for this. I teach German as a second language and I also allow my students to listen to music, only when I say so of course.
They do far more work listening to their own music, than when being distracted by everything that disrupts the classroom out of my own control.
Do you teach art? You do have a very interesting perspective.
Do you feel that you truly get better work that way from the students?
Good rule. At my school students are not allowed to use earbuds. If they have a lesson where they need to listen, they must use wired headphones. Works well. Easy to manage.
What if it’s during an art project for art class? I actually don’t let my students have earbuds or music in as it’s a school policy, but I’m curious.
I disagree. It will distract some people, but will be fine for others. Music both with and without lyrics helped me out and kept me calmer during frustrating studies I struggled with. As long as they’re not playing during instruction then it should be up to the teacher.
I agree!!! The students get upset when I say no to music, but I don’t care.
My only problem is that our school uses a reading program that requires headphones. I have no way of knowing if they are listening to the reading program or if they have connected to their phones. I just have to let that part go, but if they are working on anything else, the earbuds come out.
Don’t let them use their phones during class. My school has a “no phones” policy that is not hard to enforce. You just have to enforce it from day 1 and it must be schoolwide so you are not the bad guy.
Bravo to your school and all the teachers and staff who enforce the rules.
Sometimes I stream classical music in over the speaker system when we have an individual assignment but I never understood the logic of allowing kids to listen to anything on their phone while we are in class.
Thank you! I have been swimming uphill on this issue for years! You have given me something concrete to show my colleagues and students.
There is a great series of cd’s for reading, creating, and various other class situations. These are all instrumental with great sound. I am sorry I do not remember the brand.
I disagree. And that is ok.
I only allow music without words. I also only allow it if I spot check. If they’re not willing, then they’re probably not doing something they’re supposed to, and they lose the privilege.
I love your articles. Having taught for over 40 years, I’m yet to disagree with you. However, I feel it is essential to cite the research rather than simply stating “According to research…,” or “It’s well established that….” I often share your articles with other teachers, but I would feel better about it if citations were included.
Too many teachers allow students to listen to music during independent work. Being the only teacher who won’t let them listen will cause students to rebel and dislike you. It’s a losing battle at the high school
level. Let them listen as long as the work is getting done.
That’s the problem with most of the tips on this site.
Most of them are great, but at high school level you have a thing called fellow teachers. It only works if everybody applies the same rules, otherwise it’s too much of a fight and not worth the trouble in the limited time that you have.
I don’t agree. I teach high school, and I don’t care what any other teacher does. My classroom, my rules, and the kids are fine. I have good relationships with my kids, and believe most want to have set boundaries, especially if they have trouble with self-discipline.
Thank you for this. I agree with you completely. This is one of my pet peeves.
I teach high school English, and I have found music on YouTube that is supposed to calm the nerves. I often search for ADHD music or I play Native flute music or low/dark cello playlists. They work wonders for me and the students to keep us focused yet give some background noise that helps with other noisy distractions, like the leaf blower outside or the trash truck emptying all the bins behind the cafeteria. I save them to a specific playlist in my YouTube channel, and they are easily accessed. My students are calmer and more focused and do not even ask to listen to their music.
100% disagree, respectfully. I also do not appreciate the insinuation that teachers who allow students to listen to music while doing individual work are too lazy, afraid or have given up. This is obviously an opinion from someone who doesn’t understand brain differences or learning/working styles.
Agreed. I work way better with music in the background. But it does have to be a certain type of music, otherwise I can get distracted, especially when typing/writing is involved.
Many of my students work better with music in the background (I am an art teacher), so I play music for the whole class to listen to. But I have to gauge which classes can handle to music and which can’t. Students aren’t allowed to have phones or wireless headphones/earbuds at my school so I don’t have to deal with that and I’m grateful. I say if it works for some teachers/classes, more power to you.
I was thrilled to see the title, as it seems some of our teachers have music on all the time. Granted, our teachers have Classical music going, which I read can help concentration sometime, but when on all the time…..I wonder, do kids know what silence sounds like?
Hmm, I understand the sentiment, because it aligns with my own experience of being distracted from my work because of music. However, my daughter, who was recently diagnosed with ADD, just recently went out of her way to thank one of her teachers for letting her listen to music on her headphones during independent work time. She and my husband, who both have ADD, have explained to me that music helps them concentrate, and for my daughter, it keeps her from getting distracted by her classmates’ conversations all around her. Listening to music helps her get her work done. The only reason I think limiting headphones in class is because it takes away from building relationships and classroom communities. Too much of that breaks down relationships. However, I am grateful to my daughter for having opened my eyes to her experience, which is very different from mine. I suppose, then, I can see why you feel the way you do, as it would negatively impact some students, but I just don’t think it applies to everyone.
Music isn’t the problem, lyrics are. Try taking a comprehension test after reading while listening to a favorite playlist. This isn’t about learning styles or preferences. If you live and breathe, and you’re trying to think, you’re affected – especially if you struggle with attention and focus. As for research, I welcome fact-checkers.
It’s fair to expect you to provide the burden of proof.
Students are wrestling with social anxiety, performance anxiety, emotional thoughts, rational thoughts- all of which require different cognitive practices to process, they are also probably processing a nutritionally-inadequate meal provided by the school….
These stressors have a cost on thinking. Counterintuitively, music may offset those stressors, and provide a smaller more manageable cost to focus in an environment non-conducive to focus. (To minimal or no fault of the teacher – we can freakishly reach strong consensus on wasps, water-loaded ceiling tiles, PA interruptions, etc).
Thinking ability may increase from calming, familiar, and yes, sometimes even entertaining stimuli. On top of attempting to cope with many school-provided stressors, students need a level of appreciation for the environment in order to learn. For some youth (and this is a confession of our collective failure in SO much) complimenting the environment with their music/lyrics is how they come to somewhat appreciate the environment.
It’s important to discuss this topic and for this reason I’m grateful for your post though mostly, not completely, disagree. The take appears overly simplistic. This is nuanced with little evidence one way or the other. When analyzing how different types of tasks (creative, social, analytical, emotional, rational, divergent, convergent, etc.) correspond with the different types of music/lyrics and a person’s familiarity with the music/lyrics; it’s essentially a guessing game.
This is another symptom of the system failing to provide their educators with what they need to compete with so many sources for attention. A focused support with educators in making the classroom a place a student actually wants to be, earbuds or not, would likely make a non-issue of this and many other classroom management plagues.
Where’s your evidence?
I think you might welcome fact checkers because you don’t have any evidence yourself? I’m worried about your defensive tone. It feels condescending, and lacks open-mindedness. Instead, you are digging your heels in deeper and not acknowledging any differing view points. I might be reading your responsive wrong, but I can tell you how it makes me feel: disappointed for the lack of care and open dialogue.
Sorry it makes you feel that way. That is not the case.
It is extremely burdenson to provide evidence for other people’s claims. That is why it is on the one making the claim to provide the evidence. It is simply more efficient, and I’d argue polite, if you are making broad claims directed at a large audience who is likely in the midst of consuming 571 newspapers of information a day.
I have provided just as much evidence as the OP. I am extremly open to the nuance which is why my claims are worded a bit more strategically than an absolute such as: “allowing students to listen to music is a bad idea.”
Check your spelling, grammar and sentence structure. Try all 3 with much less emphasis on attempting to sound intelligent.
I agree with you, but, like several others, I’d like to see the research.
When I was kid I had the bad perspective that I could multitask, but that wasn’t true, and as I started the journey of being a teacher, I realized that they ere few kind of music that really help me are the Lofi, non-lirics songs, jazz, but the best ones are the nature sounds.
As I grade individual work, I can
often tell when students are likely listening to music while writing, because random word appear in their assignments.
I work in a Vocational high school, and ear buds (wired, or wireless) become a safety concern. Listening to music may also reduce the amount of collaboration that I like to see on most daily assignments. And, since it is my philosophy in Vocational Ed that we are training students for the workforce, I refer to industry standards. If it’s not accepted in the workplace, then I won’t allow it in my shop. I happen to teach a health care related shop. It would not be allowed for those who are conducting patient care to have earbuds in or listen to music with lyrics, so we don’t allow it in our training site.
I think classical music in the background is fine but the minute kids are allowed to access a playlist on panora that seems a slippery slope. However I think opting for free choice might work in a art class for example.
Another point to consider is that students recieve notifications and have text messages read to them through their Bluetooth ear pods.
I’d like to know two things that aren’t discussed here:
1) What is the impact of the distracting music? Is the effect significant or negligible?
2) Does music that is distracting cause less distraction than the stimuli that exists in the classroom?
If the impact is negligible, it might be not worth picking that battle.
If a student is distracted by the music but less distracted by even more distracting stimuli, then it might be actually an improvement.
It’s also worth noting that different brains act differently. I’m curious if the research is universal or if there are various degrees or exceptions.
You’re showing a lot of cultural biases in this opinion piece. Apparently you have a disdain for hip hop music. And classical music isn’t the only kind of music that helps students concentrate. Some students actually hate classical music. I’ve had succes with instrumental heavy metal, the theme song from the video game Halo, 70s, 60s, and 50s music. My students don’t bring devices as they are elementary so we play it in class. One month of each genre.
“Cultural biases?” Really? What choice of music is bias – free? Or is Michael’s choice “culturally-biased” because he’s white? I don’t like music with lyrics that promote violence, sexual violence, denigration of women and girls, have foul anti – social language, idolize money. .. So – what’s my cultural background? Or are only certain “cultures” free of bias?
I also want to know about the research. I don’t allow music in my classroom ,but all the cool teachers let the students at my school listen to music. My test score are higher than the cool teachers.
Agree with you abt the music but not abt teachers who let their students listen. I never do but my team teachers do. They earnestly look for music that fits what we’re teaching out of love for their students and spend time doing that and sharing with our team. Personally, I hate it.
Learner variability be damned, apparently.
I strongly disagree and would like to see the data that supports your assertions. I play current and classic pop in my elementary class (I screen for language and content). They sing together and it creates a sense of community. It’s common ground and making everyone feel included is vital. It isn’t all day but often during independent work.
I agree 💯 percent with the author. Whenever my middle school students ask if they can listen to music 🎶, I say, yes, and then use a streaming service to cast it to the entire class. Classical music. Do they ask again? Improbable.
This is a huge can of worms. Here’s how it plays out: you have to confiscate the phone so they have no access. This often leads to confrontation. Which then leads to a trip to the office- a whole new can is then opened. The cell phone game is not winnable. If they want to learn, they will learn. If they don’t, taking away the phone isn’t going to change their minds.
Are you NTs ok? Sheesh. Op has clearly never heard of ADHD, the people who thrive on multiple stimulus. Even myself being AU I need music otherwise I cannot concentrate.
This is blanket ableism and it’s horrendous.
I am not NT (which somehow comes across as a condesending, divisive label by the way you put it), and I cannot understand your actual point. He said, multiple times, that LYRICS were the problem. Not music. The data in my own classroom fully backs his claims, and I have read the research. There’s actually quite a bit of it. I also have my personal experience as a neurodivegrent person to give me some context, and I am able to separate my own personal needs and preferences from facts. I use music all the time to help me function. I have noticed that lyrics detract from my performance and often slow my completion, overall. I tried letting my students listen to their own music (with lyrics) and watched their scores drop. I removed the lyrical option and watched them engage more deeply and perform better overall. It isn’t about me- it’s about THEM.
Furthermore, being neurodivegrent doesn’t give you the right to be nasty. If you disagree, try sounding like a reasonable person who adds to other people’s understanding. Because comments like yours really just sound like you taking a swipe at a person who has offered his help to you for free, and that is a huge part of the overall problem here- individuals thinking that their own rights and needs subordinate everyone else’s.
https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2010-19467-004
This study shows a significant decrease in cognitive function with pop music (familiar songs). Personal testimonials are not science. I have students point out to me some brilliant person who is a confirmed pot user, and my response has been, “think about where they would have gotten with a complete and undamaged brain.” Also, the validity of a study is not gauged by when it was conducted, but by the scientific process that was followed. Someone might come up with a study tomorrow “disproving” the facts stated in the above article. The thinking person needs to look at what was done, and judge based on those merits.
I whole-heartedly agree with Michael on this. Also, if your rules are clear, you won’t have a war on your hands when you confiscate inappropriately used technology.
Mr. Linsin,
I would love to know your thoughts on whether or not Piano Guys (They do a lot of instrumental but more current covers of music.) would be considered distracting to children? Thanks!
Michael, I’m incredibly fascinated by the reflections in these comments. I have two reactions in general that I want to add as a kind of synthesis:
(1) You presented a perspective that sought the BEST path forward. Most of the rebuttals are on the grounds of “but this is also okay” or a note about some nuanced exception. Most intriguing to me is the refrain “I can’t focus in complete silence.” I’m curious your general reaction to that thinking. My first thought here is that if indeed this is true of any of us or our students, it is itself a weakness or lack of a skill that we probably should seek to address with our students rather than enable/ignore. There are some self-regulation considerations here.
(2) The other thought that comes to mind in the context of some of these comments is the question To what are we aspiring most with our class/students? Teachers comment regularly about the desire to build a community experience with positive dependence and social learning. It strikes me that in such an environment, “independent work” time has a very different flavor than another, a time where students are indeed working individually on tasks but are sharing the goal of the work. At its highest, this would include interactions where students are asking each other questions and supporting one another. The goal, then, is greater interdependence and less isolation.
Ultimately, I see in your comments here the potential for (1) a better learning environment, (2) greater development of self-regulation in students, and (3) an opportunity to move the classroom experience at least another nudge closer to the best possible. Thanks for your thoughts and words!
I’ll tell you why many teachers allow students to listen to music during class. It’s because it keeps them quiet and in their seat. From the outside it looks like the teacher is in full control and there is no misbehavior or otherwise misconduct taking place. It looks as though every student is focused and on task. As a retired teacher, with a BA in Psychology, a minor in Chemistry and a Master’s in special education know that for most people the human brain is not able to multitask. Students and nearly all adults are simply not able to fully concentrate on more than one thing at a time. When I would not allow this the students would object stating that, “I can focus more when I listen to my music.” or “I get more work done if I listen to my music.” There are many more reasons students would give, but I refused to given in to them. Once I explained why and gave examples to the students (now we’re talking middle school aged kiddos – 6th 7th and 8th graders – in both resource and general education class settings) they agreed that it was not possible for them to read/study/complete independent assignments and listen to music at the same time and be able to focus on the school work. The students did not give me any problems after they understood why they were not allowed to listen to their music during class. Once the light bulb went off and realized that they honestly were not able to do both at the same time with complete success they realized how much they were missing out on “stuff”. I also found, over the years, that kids need explanations and examples to backup why they are not allowed to do something. You simply just can not tell a kiddo no with telling them why. As adults we what reasons why we are no allowed to do things and a child is no different. In my opinion many teachers give in to students because they do not want to deal with the “off task” behavior or the noise when they don’t let them listen to music while “studying” and if administration walks by it appears that the students are on given “learning tasks” when in actuality they students are not fully focused.
I apologize for all the errors in my post. I was so involved in this and know the struggles I had with many co-teachers on this very issue that I just spouted out a response. I know what I went through in trying t0 do what was in the best interest of the students and all the hurdles I had to jump to get the teachers I taught with to understand why they kiddos should not be listening to music during class. Again, I was so caught up in the response that I just hit submit without proofing it first.
100% agree!
Our current generation of students is growing up in a world full of constant distractions. We have to train them to turn off the background noise and focus on the task at hand.
I hope you are aware that music can help turn off that background noise
I think it is hard if other teachers let student ‘A’ listen to music in their class, and you don’t, you certainly will be confronted with an argumentative student.
I teach hospitality, and for safety reasons, I don’t allow earbuds or headphones in the kitchen.
Students are sneaky, hats or long hair can hide the earbuds and I have had students put them in when I have been busy with something else, and don’t realize until I see them looking at their phones.
I ask students to take them out, but then they start being defiant.
I need to learn how to be a better teacher and instill consequences (which I am still learning how to do.)
Definitevely the problem is that some students will spend the time arguing or researching their opinion to prove the point instead of working.
I will allow music to kids when their IEP or 504 requires it. I love music as background but there is the issue of equity vs. equality that students most time don’t understand.
Hi there! I am a student with ADHD and I found your opinion rather interesting. There have been several studies that show that allowing students (especially those who are neurodivergent) to listen to music actually helps them focus during work time. This is due to the steady rhythm and the fact that it has a beginning and an end.
I can also speak from personal experience when I say music makes it much easier to focus on my work. I have a teacher who keeps the room absolutely silent. I find it hard to focus on the work unless I have music on. She will constantly close the tab I am using to listen to music. I am doing poorly in this class because I can’t focus on the work.
I’m sure you don’t appreciate this but I’m writing it out anyway. So long as students aren’t listening to music while the teacher is giving instruction, they aren’t harming anyone. They are just trying to get their work done.
Here are some of the studies I have looked at:
https://ameliavirtualcare.com/music-help-adhd/#:~:text=When%20it%20comes%20to%20improving,structure%20and%20timing%2C%20and%20rhythm.
https://psychcentral.com/adhd/adhd-music#:~:text=or%20ADD).%E2%80%9D-,Dr.,listening%20to%20music%20you%20appreciate.
https://blog.innerdrive.co.uk/music-and-adhd#:~:text=The%20researcher%20found%20that%20most,productivity%20in%20students%20with%20ADHD.
https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/professional-practice/music-therapy#:~:text=and%20focus%20him.-,Why%3F,to%20the%20world%20around%20them.
I have a student that just likes to argue. She will find ways to make a case why my class expects them to read. According to her it is too much to expect the students to read nonfiction books for three book reports. She wears headphones evety day eventhoughshe doesn’t have music there. She argues because we use filtering softwear to check the students activity during class. She argues because she wants to do as she pleases. The sad part is that she has the potential to be an excellent student but she somehow has learned to believe that she is mature enough to make choices only about what she likes and about what she believes.
She complains about not being able to listen to music yet she never asked me (the teacher ) to do so. I would have allow her to do it but she just goes in the computer to complain to others.
She tells that she has ADHD yet there is no record in the school that she has that so I can accomodate.
Her attituted ruins it for every one. That is sad.
Jeffrey I completely agree with you! Music is so important. How can someone write an article line this. I hope no teacher actually follows his ideas. They certainly won’t be dancing to any tune. As a child I would not want to be in a classroom that implements this philosophy. No thank you!
I agree with this article 100%. I am a retired teacher who spent almost 40 years in the classroom. Students need to learn to adapt to their environment. Once they are in the workforce, they can’t insist that they listen to music to focus. Allowing them to do as they please in the classroom setting sets them up for failure in the future.
Listen music doesn’t mean let the student do as they please, they only do this while is on free time or time given by teacher to do their homework. I don’t know how you could say that listening music in the classroom is setting set up for failure in the future.
The main problem is not the music , is the student’s attitude itself.
I completely disagree. first of all, as a student myself music helps me learn faster by memorizing things, and helps me focus. It also makes doing work a lot more enjoyable in general, and i don’t find myself putting it off as much. I do listen to music with lyrics, but I just shuffle songs by my favorite artist on very low volume, and I know all the words so it is not distracting. also, when you say that multitasking is a myth and the brain can’t concentrate on more than one thing at once, I would have to say MYTH BUSTED. As a student with diagnosed ADHD, I find it easier to do something, while I’m also doing something to occupy my brain (for example listening to an audiobook while drawing.) In my opinion, if listening to music does not help you focus, you don’t have to. no one is forcing you to listen to music, but don’t take this away from the people who it does help. I think this is a very biased article, and nothing leads me to believe that any of the information here is true. there are no sources so there’s no way to prove if your telling the truth, and the only opinion you considered was your own.