A recent study has found that tapping out a beat may help children learn difficult fraction concepts.
San Francisco State University researchers designed “Academic Music”, a 12-lesson program that uses music notation, clapping, drumming, and chanting to introduce third-grade students to fractions. The program was implemented at San Francisco’s Hoover Elementary School with students showing significant improvements, especially those who struggle with academics.
"Students who started out with less fraction knowledge achieved final test scores similar to their higher-achieving peers," said Susan Courey, assistant professor of special education at San Francisco State University. "Lower-performing students might find it hard to grasp the idea of fractions from a diagram or textbook, but when you add music and multiple ways of learning, fractions become second nature to them."
Courey developed the program with music teacher Endre Balogh. Their findings will be published in the journal Educational Studies in Mathematics.
"Students who started out with less fraction knowledge achieved final test scores similar to their higher-achieving peers," said Susan Courey, assistant professor of special education at San Francisco State University. "Lower-performing students might find it hard to grasp the idea of fractions from a diagram or textbook, but when you add music and multiple ways of learning, fractions become second nature to them."
Courey developed the program with music teacher Endre Balogh. Their findings will be published in the journal Educational Studies in Mathematics.
Original article from MAA Digital Library
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