Argument Example: Music in School
Musical inspiration, Maria von Trapp, once said that “music acts like a magic key, to which the most tightly closed heart opens.” Many students today need to discover a “magic key” to learning. Some people believe that music will distract students from their studies; however, many other people recognize that pairing music and learning could result in a positive relationship that would benefit any reluctant student. This possibility is indeed magical. Therefore, students should be allowed to listen to music during their independent classwork in order to benefit their academic achievement.
When students listen to music while working, they are able to perform at a higher level. For example, a research team at Stanford School of Medicine showed that music engages the areas of the brain involved with paying attention, making predictions, and updating the event in memory. These skills are important to helping students learn, so if listening to music helps students practice learning skills, then it makes sense that students should be allowed to do so while completing their work in school. Furthermore, Teresa Lesiuk, an assistant professor in the music therapy program at the University of Miami, explained that listening to music while working “breaks [a person] out of just thinking one way.” This means that students may be able to think more creatively or extend their work in a new direction that they would not have thought of without the influence of their music. Overall, it is obvious that listening to music will benefit the way students use their brains for their schoolwork.
Not only does listening to music enhance how students think, but it also allows students to feel positive while they work. According to American Trade Union Leader, William Green, “Music is a friend of labour for it lightens the task by refreshing the nerves and spirit of the worker.” It makes sense that if a student is able to think calmly and clearly about his/her work, s/he will find the work to be “lightened” or feel like it is easier to understand. Additionally, Dr. Amit Sood, a physician with the Mayo Clinic, highlights that musical sounds help human brains to release chemicals that make their bodies happy—like eating a delicacy or smelling a pleasant aroma. This means that students will not only think that they are enjoying the experience, but that their brains are actually happier. This means that if students are listening to music, they will be happy while completing their classwork. All in all, it makes sense that a positive attitude, as a result of music, will not only create a brighter classroom atmosphere, but also allow students to feel better about the work itself.
Despite all of the positive impacts of music, some people may argue that listening to music during classwork will draw students’ attentions away from their learning, tempting them to focus on finding the next best song to listen to or share with their friends. What these people fail to realize is that once students have a previously prepared playlist started, they will not need to touch their iPods again until it is time to turn them off. Essentially, students’ attention levels will actually be increased, since students will be able to use their own soundtrack as background music, and once started, changing the songs will not be part of the routine.
Overall, it is imperative that students have the option to listen to music during independent work in order to allow them to achieve more in school. It is clear that music can not only enhance how the mind works, but it also creates a more positive atmosphere for student work, making students more interested in performing to the best of their abilities. Teachers should recognize that students are growing in their levels of independence, and, as a result, are ready to make their own decision as to whether or not they should listen to music while working.