Changing the tune of classroom behaviors : A case study in a rural Indiana middle school examining the effects of preferred ambient music in a special education classroom

McGinnis, Johnny W. Studies examining the effects of music and human behavior are in no short supply. There have been numerous studies utilizing music to influence decision-making, enhance athletic performance, and provide therapeutic relief. There are current gaps in the research existing with utilizing student-selected music to study their classroom behaviors. The purpose of this study was to examine how the playing of student selected ambient music within a rural Midwestern middle school would affect the students’ classroom behaviors. In this study, behaviors are defined as noticeable student actions. This study was seeking how the students behaved within their 40-minute guided study hall classroom when ambient music of their choice was introduced. To examine how classroom behaviors would be affected with ambient music introduced, student participants were observed in their natural setting, a 40-minute guided study hall, for four weeks. After each of the weeks, the control week and three weeks of ambient music, students participated in a focus group to discuss their behaviors. Results provided 11 subthemes grouped into four broad categories all dealing with students’ self-identified reasonings for their off-task behaviors. Only one of these had any mention of the ambient music. Participants made little connection to their self-identified behaviors and their selected ambient music. Despite the participants making little connection to their behaviors and the ambient music, the ambient music served as a gateway to the voices of the students. Through the student selected ambient music, participants were more willing to discuss their classroom behaviors, emotional health, and levels of personal stress. Not only did the music of choice connect to individual student identity and emotional health, student participants were more willing to discuss self-identified behaviors, stress, and emotions than in weeks without the ambient music of their choice.

Grantor dc:publisher

Alverno College

Year dc:date

2021

Author dc:creator

• McGinnis, Johnny W.

• Music
• Middle school education
• Classroom management

Statement dc:rights

• These materials may be used by individuals and libraries for personal use, research, teaching (including distribution to classes), or for any fair use as defined by U.S. Copyright Law.

Language dc:language

English

Repository record dc:identifier

https://alverno.omeka.net/items/show/246

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:alverno.omeka.net:246