When considering the subjects within high school that allow students to achieve the best possible marks and gain the best educational experience, parents usually turn to the more 'academic' subjects, such as maths, English, and science. However, a new study has shown, and through the investigation within Richard Gill's article in the Sydney Morning Herald that the importance of music, and other arts subjects in the academic achievements of students, is crucial.
Within Gill's article, the importance and influence of music as a subject within schools is not only highlighted as being important to a students academic achievements, but it also aids in the understanding of other concepts and increases concentration which will overall improve a student's information retention; “Development of powers of concentration, together with the ability to listen with discrimination and heightened perception, have a profound impact on all learning in the life of a child.” (smh, 2013) It is worrying to think that parents and some teachers are putting a child's educational experiences and ability to expand their knowledge and understanding, by not allowing them to participate in music classes simply because of misconceptions regarding their academic credibility; “There is growing scientific evidence of music's powerful, positive influence on the neurological, cognitive and social-emotional development of all children...parents and educators today must shed the outdated myths and misconceptions... in order to embrace substantial development in music as an agent for engaging and optimising every child's capacity to learn across many areas of a school's academic and social curriculum.” (Scripp. L, 2013)
Not only is there evidence for the contribution of music and other forms of subjects within schools, such as PDHPE (Physical education/sports), to the educational outcomes and achievements of students, physical activity and 'out-side of school' sports are also a benefiting factor. Over the years however there have been many debates regarding the importance and benefits of sports, especially with male students, in relation to their success and achievements in schools; many parents and teachers are concerned that the time in which these students spend training for out-side of school teams/sports is becoming detrimental to their education and ability to achieve and concentrate at their best. However, recent studies have shown that this is in fact the complete opposite! An experiment conducted and documented in Science, sport and Technology- A contribution to Educational challenges and highlights this importance of physical education as a means of stimulating and aiding students with the learning and understanding of subject content, as well as aid in their ability to concentrate and store subject information; “.. two groups were formed, group A was submitted to a more theoretical explanation of the concepts, and group B was exposed to problem solving through sport situations... results show that when children participating in an active way they are more motivated... Physical activity and health are recognised as an important means to helping children and youth attain a health emotional, social and physical well being...” (O'Hara. K, Reis. P, Esteves. D, Bras. R & Branco. L, 2011, )
Not only is the inclusion of both music and sport subjects within school curriculum's important for student's emotional and social developments but they also over come the misconceptions regarding these subjects and their influence on student learning- the only way in which students can fully expand and reach their full academic potential, they must be given the freedom and opportunities to learn and explore these subjects as they wish, and it is the job of both parents and teachers to promote this type of education for young students; “The school has an important role in this field, because it can promote the practice of diverse physical activities and experiences, but it can also promote the physical activity as an instrument of learning and social and physical development.” (O'Hara. K, Reis. P, Esteves. D, Bras. R & Branco. L, 2011, )
Reference List:
Gill. R, Published August 12th2013, The Sydney Morning Herald National- Fairfax Media, Music holds the key to providing a quality education , accessed on 14/10/13, http://www.smh.com.au/national/education/music-holds-key-to-providing-a-quality-education-system-20130811-2rpym.html
O'Hara. K, Reis. P, Esteves. D, Bras. R & Branco. L, 2011, Science, sport and Technology- A contribution to Educational challenges, FCSH, University of Beira Interior, Covilha, Portugal information, Verification, Service, USA. http://search.proquest.com/docview/871176192?accountid=12763
Pitts. E. S, 2013,Arts and Humanities in Higher Education; Would you cedit it? Navigating the transition between curricular and extra-curricular learning in University music departments,
Porter. M. J & Magil. A. R, 2010, Journal of Sports Sciences, Systematically increasing contextual interference is beneficial for learning sport skills,
Scripps. L, Ulibarri. D & Flax. R, 2013, Arts Education Policy Review: Thinking beyond the Myths and Misconceptions of Talent: Creating music Education Policy that advances Music's essential contribution to Twenty-first century teaching and learning, Center for music-in-education, New York, New York, USA, New England Conservatory, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
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