The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of using background music on the concentration and on-task behavior of students with special needs during independent class assignments. A multiple case study approach is used to gather the data for 8 participants having different cases yet all diagnosed having problems with their concentration and attention span. Four instruments are used to collect data from different resources which are student's files and documents, parent questionnaire, student observation checklist, and student interview. Baseline data is collected for 3 consecutive weeks without music followed by an intervention period of another 3 consecutive weeks where music is played in the background. During the time students are working independently, the researcher filled the behavior charts for every student examining the amount of off-task behavior per minute and the behavior manifested when the student stops working. Results demonstrate that the introduction of music in the background has different effects on the off-task behavior of students. Six out of the eight students have a decrease in their off-task behavior during the administration of music, and two students have a negligible to minor increase in their off-task behavior during the administration of music. In general, the intervention shows that the use of music has positive implications for assignment completion rate.

A compilation of current research that investigates various aspects of musical experience

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether student behavior was more on-task when students were participating and engaged in active music making such as singing, dancing, moving, and playing instruments than in passive music activities such as listening, while teacher-lead instruction, and transitions between tasks. There were 142 students participating from nine fifth-grade general music classrooms at three public schools in Ohio and Michigan. There was a total of twenty-one combined music lessons of regularly scheduled music classes recorded. After each lesson, the students filled out a five-question survey about their music class experience. Each lesson was analyzed with a fixed interval on-task/off-task grid using a target male subject against rotating peers, and a target female student against the same rotating peers. The results show that when these students were actively engaged during music class by participating in music activities such as movement, dance, or playing instruments, the student behavior was more on-task. Students that did passive activities like sitting in class for longer periods of time listening to music or instruction without being active, demonstrated more off-task behavior. For example, students that were seated at their desks receiving instruction had challenges staying on-task. Students that had the opportunity to play instruments, move around the room, or dance were more on task throughout the instruction. Physical movement was an asset to on-task behavior. The students were more involved as a class when completing an activity such as bingo, dancing, or playing instruments. Of the various music activities, there was almost 100% participation for those that required movement (dance, movement, playing instruments).

The purpose of this study was to find whether the use of music had a positive effect on clean-up transitioning times, and off-task behaviors in my art room. I also wanted to find whether the use of music had a positive effect on my students learning art concepts. This nine-week study was implemented for two K/1 classes during the 2007 fall semester. Data collection included timed measurement of clean-up transitions lengths, off-task behavior checklists, pre and post assessments, and teacher journaling. The results of the study showed that music decreased clean-up transition lengths, decreased the occurrences of off-task behaviors, and had a positive effect on learning art concepts.

Abstract: The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of differentiated music on classroom behaviors and attitudes of middle school band members. Special, differentiated music, was written to find out if the level of class participation (students on task) would increase with its use. The differentiated music consisted of three parts from which each player could choose; a simple two note harmony, melody, and an advanced counterpoint. Sixth, seventh, and eighth grade band classes were included in the study. A series of eight class sessions, fifteen minutes in length from each grade, were videotaped over a period of four weeks on successive Tuesdays and Thursdays. Baseline and treatment sessions were established with the baseline consisting of the use of typical band method material, and the treatment including the use of differentiated music. Each grade level ran a different length of baseline and treatment time periods. Data were collected to measure the percent of students on task for baseline and treatment for each grade level. Other areas evaluated included the amount of class time spent playing, teaching, and dealing with discipline and interruptions. Teacher comments were measured, as was survey information from the students regarding their enjoyment levels and self assessment. The use of the differentiated music did not show an increase in the number of students participating as had been expected. Rather the discipline of the students became the prominent issue. Correlations showed that as negative behaviors increased, attitude toward the class and personal achievement decreased. Future research in this area should be done in a setting and through instruction where student attention and relatively good discipline is maintained. If the classroom discipline problem area could be reduced or eliminated, comparison of differentiated music versus other types of materials might yield different results.

Packed full with tasks, activities and reflections to help student-teachers to integrate the theory and practice of music education, this book aims to develop open and reflective practitioners who will critically examine their own and others’ ideas about music education and the way in which children learn music.