Ipads in Art: What I am see- UPDATE :)

This week I took time to observe Monday- Thursday on non-iPad days what was happening at the student's tables. The goal was to limit the iPad usage so that students would have conversations about everyday life and each others artwork. The goal was also to have the students work more efficiently and more focused. What I have observed: Students are less distracted when the iPad is not being used as a personal music device. Even if you ask students to listen to Pandora or a playlist, there are still instant messages that pop up, distracting them from their learning. The more messages the more times that students stops what they are doing to checkout what urgent message has been sent to them. According to Marilee Sprenger who wrote Focusing the Digital Brain, "Students multitasking the digital world with many personal learning devices being used at once. For example instant messaging, texting, and homework at the same time. Causes Continuous Partial Attention. Can cause stress. Too many things going at once is ok for short term memory, but bad for long term memory causing stress, weakening the immune system and could cause depression. To many social media or digital devices used in excess can be a disadvantage to students. Make boundaries for digital use." In a world where instant gratification is a constant with technology it is important to pull the students back and have them focus with out technology as part of the presence. We will listen to music over the speakers in the classroom or use the radio. The students still get to get into their flow of work, while still getting the opportunity to converse with the other students at their table. We will take turns on what channel will be played which days. I read a fascinating article that reinforces the use of music in the classroom called The following article is reprinted from the book Music and Learning by Chris Brewer, 1995. (Music and Learning: Integrating Music in the Classroom by Chris Boyd Brewer http://education.jhu.edu/PD/newhorizons/strategies/topics/Arts%20in%20Education/brewer.htm) BRINGING EDUCATION TO LIFE WITH MUSIC How is it that for most people music is a powerful part of their personal life and yet when we go to work or school we turn it off? The intentional use of music in the classroom will set the scene and learning atmosphere to enhance our teaching and learning activities. Plus, using music for learning makes the process much more fun and interesting! Music, one of the joys of life, can be one of the joys of learning as well. The following pages give you suggestions for when and how to use music during your teaching or training. With these techniques, you, the teacher, can orchestrate a classroom environment that is rich and resonant-- and provide learners with a symphony of learning opportunities and a sound education! Music helps us learn because it will-- establish a positive learning state create a desired atmosphere build a sense of anticipation energize learning activities change brain wave states focus concentration increase attention improve memory facilitate a multisensory learning experience release tension enhance imagination align groups develop rapport provide inspiration and motivation add an element of fun accentuate theme-oriented units PERSONAL EXPRESSION Music is the doorway to the inner realms and the use of music during creative and reflective times facilitates personal expression in writing, art, movement, and a multitude of projects. Creation of musical compositions offers a pathway to expressing personal feelings and beliefs in the language of musical sound. Here are two ways music can help us express ourselves: Creativity and Reflection Background music is used to stimulate internal processing, to facilitate creativity, and encourage personal reflection. Playing reflective music, such as solo piano in either classical or contemporary styles, as students are writing or journalling holds attention for longer periods of time than without the music. In one study, students wrote twice as much with music than without! Anytime you can use multiple intellegences is a win for the students. I plan to continue listening to their conversations and comparing their work to last year's when personal music was allowed during every workday. I can say already that there are less distractions and better behavior. It is still early in the year so we will see what happens. I especially would like to add the data I find tomorrow when they are working with the personal learning devices. I will have more hard data that I will submit regarding distractions, conversations, efficiency and mood of the room. I am still working on the hard data because as you float around the room it is hard to not converse with the kids and be taking notes, especially when the notes are about research and not their work. I don't want them to feel insecure about what I am doing.