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My students are involved in a training course called Technovation Challenge, and they are at working developing a mobile phone app that helps students study science terminology through songs. To help them in their marketing research for this app, they have created a survey that I hope you will take a few minutes to fill out. This is a student-led project, and I would appreciate your support in their education as budding entrepreneurs in the field of technology.http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2R3FXYX

I really think this would be a most useful app. Look all the kids who have learned the order of the planets by a simple song. I have taken the survey and encourage others to do so.

Hi Beverly and welcome to the discussion forums. I took the survey,too. I think it is a great application of technology that you have incorporated into the student project. Please share the results of the survey with us.
Did you see this article about students using songs to teach concepts?
Science Sampler: The S3: Singing Science Students
Carolyn

I also completed the survey. I look forward to seeing the results. I agree ~ music is very beneficial to learning and can help some of our students remember complicated science processes and terms easier. I can still picture my first 7th grade science class all silently going through the mitosis song and hand gestures during the test on the topic. It was the first time I remember "seeing" them use a tool - very openly, after they knew it was okay, which I had helped them learn to gain success. I still love watching the students work through the song with their hands as they are quizzing or testing, or even just during review. Song/music can be a very powerful tool in learning.

What an awesome way to blend technology. I love the idea of teacher-led videos of science songs. I've also used a few teacher-created MP3 files for some science songs. Not only does that format make it very easy to play in class, but I could also download it to my students' MP3 players so they could memorize it at home.

I have definitely found that music and videos helped my students to learn material and concepts in a way that connects with them better than we could imagine. I understand that it may not be for all students, but it certainly does relate to a good number of students. We just have to remember to include the other means of teaching strategies to be able to connect with those students who do not benefit from this teaching/learning strategy. :)

I couldn't imagine teaching middle science and not integrating music into the mix. How many times to lyrics to a song come to mind? Students are plugged into their I-pods all the time so as science teachers we might as well take advantage of it. I have a collection of science CD's and lots of very cool links on youtube. I link the songs to smartboard and moodle and use them to introduce new information. My students love it, they even write their own lyrics to learn vocabulary, information about viruses, mitosis, and human body systems.

Hi Beverly, I took your survey as well. I love using YouTube music videos to reinforce concepts that students are learning in class. One of the best sources is Mr. Parr's YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/parrmr?feature=results_main My students also loved the Alfred Wegener Continental Drift song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1-cES1Ekto There are so many more great music videos out there on the web!! If you and your students are developing an app, please try to keep it a "free" app so that everyone can continue to use these fantastic resources without the price barrier.

Wonderful idea. I also love that your students are doing research to innovate!

Hi Beverly, What a fabulous idea! I know your kids are just in the data-collecting phase, but what do they plan to do with it when they are done? I am wondering if there is a site out there that would inform a teacher if a song has acceptable lyrics (especially for those teachers who are not familiar with what the kids listen to)

I think music is definitely one of the best ways to help students not only remember what they've learned, but actually enjoy the lesson and get excited to participate in class. It is such a fun way of teaching/learning, and it integrates the arts into science teaching! Honestly, most of the teachers I consider to have impacted my learning the most are the ones that used music.


This is a video of my high school AP Psychology teacher (Music works with all ages!)

http://my.twonky.com/video?vid=37396551

from Barbara Searcy, I love learning from the you tube videos especially the Continental drift -Alfred Wegener and the best geological animation and the World of rocks from Mr. Parr. I would use more powerpoint video to go with the music though. I wish I grew up with this. This is reaching the students where they live. Great learning tool. I belelieve this would reach the low level students especially if used as homework.

I appreciate the links for music, my scholars will be thrilled!! Have you found any super sites about Alfred Wegener that include biographies and lesson plans? Thank you!!

http://www.nimbios.org/press/PR_infomatic.html KNOXVILLE – A new branch of the hip-hop family tree has emerged with the release of Baba Brinkman's new Infomatic EP, which takes its inspiration from Brinkman's 2012 songwriting residency at the National Institute for Mathematical and Biological Synthesis (NIMBioS). The Canadian rap artist, who spent April and May as Songwriter-in-Residence at NIMBioS, describes the new EP as "a scientifically literate collection of upbeat hip-hop tracks that explore the shifting role of scientific knowledge in modern society and human relationships." Tracks on the EP include Mr. Infomatic, Mad Scientist (Talkin' Nerdy), Get It From Reading, Climate Skeptic, and Naturalizm (Featuring Syqnys). The EP is available for downloading on iTunes and at http://bababrinkman.bandcamp.com/album/the-infomatic-ep The tracks were produced by British DJ Jamie Simmons, who performed with Brinkman at the University of Tennessee during Brinkman's residency. Brinkman is best known for his award-winning shows The Rap Canterbury Tales and The Rap Guide to Evolution, which interpret the works of Chaucer and Darwin for a modern audience. In May, Brinkman was nominated for a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Solo Performer for The Rap Guide to Evolution. More information about the NIMBioS Songwriter-in-Residence Program can be found at http://www.nimbios.org/songwriter. More information about Brinkman can be found at http://www.bababrinkman.com/ #