INCOMPETECH

Incompetech is a website that provides a large range of different genres of music. The beauty of this site is that anyone is able to make use of the music. This tool is very beneficial in pedagogical practices as it is free and provides music of all kinds that are all appropriate to use in educational settings. Music is a great tool to calm and relax students as well as promote creativity. Kearsley and Shneiderman (1999) talk about the theory of engagement, they suggest that engagement is achievable through incorporating students interests and ensuring all students are catered for within the learning experience (Felder & Solomon). In concurrence, much research regarding the teaching of children suggests that students learn best when they feel comfortable and supported within the learning environment.

The piece of music i have chosen is described as a very laid back piece that promotes calm, relaxed and somber feelings. It can therefore be seen that the inclusion of such music within learning experiences caters for those students who take interest in music, learn best through auditory means and those who learn best in a calm and relaxed environment (Felder & Solomon). It is for this reason i see that this piece of music would be a great tool to use after lunch breaks to ensure students are calm and relaxed before learning begins. This could be used within art and craft activities, relaxation time as well as a background to learning activities in attempt to discourage students from talking and promote focus and creativity within tasks.

I remember in maths classes during my senior years of school students would always make use of their ipods during the completion of maths activities and work sheets in order to block out the chatter of other students and remain focused. This tool seemed to allow one to remain focused and not become distracted by near-by conversations. Music also promoted calm feelings and enabled one to get on with their work. It is for this reason as a Learning Manager I will attempt to make use of music within my classroom tasks to promote creativity, calm and relaxed feelings toward learning and encourage children to throw themselves into their work instead of conversation. A tool such as Incompetech certainly supports this idea and allows for such practices.

REFERENCES

Kearsley, G., & Shneiderman, B. (1999). Engagement Theory: A framework for technology-based teaching and learning. Retrieved from CQUniversity,
FAHE11001 Managing E-Learning, http://home.sprynet.com/~gkearsley/engage.htm

Felder, R., Solomon, A. Learning Styles And Strategies. Retrieved from http://www4.ncsu.edu/unity/lockers/users/f/felder/public/ILSdir/styles.htm