Students use their own iPads, iPhones, iPods, Kindles and other tablets. Any kids that don’t have one with them may use school equipment, including iPads, iPods and computers. The children then work singly or in pairs to learn about music through a variety of music apps.
Depner integrated the program into her classes after seeing other Genoa teachers use it successfully with other subjects. She thought it would be an effective way to encourage the kids to continue their music studies over the summer.
“I believe they’ll use the apps this summer,” Depner said. “My hope is that when they get bored, they’ll pull them up and get ready for band in fifth grade or for other music lessons in general.”
Depner wasn’t only concerned about summer music studies when she introduced BYOD in the classroom. She also used the program to help the students do their best on end-of-year state achievement tests.
“When students are actively engaged in music, it increases brain function,” she said.
Depner said music is particularly effective in improving math skills.
“Actively being engaged in music fine tunes brain function in math, especially when you listen to Mozart or Haydn,” she said. “There’s something about that music — it’s the same brain timing as math.”
Music, in general, is beneficial to children. Depner said it gives children a release outside of the classroom and boosts their self-confidence.
“It gives them experience in front of groups for the future,” she said.
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