Genius Hour Project

Music, in many ways, improves life. Music inspires, music gives passion, without music, life would, well, suck. I chose this project for Genius Hour because I wanted to see the very positive effects music has on the mood, brain, and even learning

Firstly, music in the classroom. Now I don't even need to go into the amount of studies there have been to prove that music in the classroom helps improve memories and learning abilities. So why is it, in most cases, that we turn music off when we get into class? Most people would respond, "Because it's a disruption to learning."
Not all the time. Music can actually stimulate the brain, and change it waves so that students receive information better. Think about that the next time a student asks if they can listen to music while doing an assignment.

Secondly, the mood. Now it's no secret that we as humans cling to music, or any type of art, for that matter, to know we're not alone. When we feel an emotion so strongly, like being so deep in love you can't explain it, we go to forms of art to feel as if we're not crazy. We like knowing we're not alone in this situation of ours. And there's some science behind this whole music-mood thing. Like from Binaural Beats, "When we listen to a rhythm, our heart actually begins to sync with it. A slow heartbeat with a strong diastolic pressure tells our brain that something sad or depressing is occurring. Very fast beating is obviously related to excitement, whereas a dreamy rhythm with occasional upbeats can signify love or joy."
See? It's not so crazy just to get pumped and happy from an upbeat song, or to get depressed and act like you're in a music video when listening to a sad song (come on, we all do it). It's natural.

And lastly, the brain itself. Let's be honest, the brain is a messed up highway of nerves and waves, so even trying to tap into this and understand it even slightly was a hard one. But I think I've got a good understanding of this. Sort of.
One way music affects the brain is by stimulation the sensory cortex, which has tactile feedback when you would play an instrument or dance. Another way is by messing around with the hippocampus. No, that's not a college for hippos. It's the memory for music, musical experiences, and context. Pretty cool, right? Now there are a million things music does with the brain, but I'm unfortunately running out of room on this slide. Maybe we should continue this on the next one, yeah?

Alright, now we've got all the space in the world to talk about music and the brain. Another thing the brain messes with when listening to music is the nucleus accumbens, or the amygdala. That's the center for emotional reactions caused by music. See? It even ties in with the mood.
Another way music affects the brain (I promise this is the last one) also connects with teaching. Music can teach languages, if you haven't heard.
Studies have shown that if you listen to a song in a different language with the lyrics in your own language in front of you, then you'll be able to learn that language. It's as easy as matching lyrics like "Te amo" to "I love you."
Aww! How cute?

And now, my musical comrades, we come to an end. I hope I've proven to you that music, in many ways, affects learning, the mood, and the brain. Now, maybe, you can listen to music in the classroom. And maybe now you know what's happening when you get really excited from an upbeat party song. Music really is a powerful thing, and now you know how.

Websites used

• https://blog.bufferapp.com/music-and-the-brain
• www.livescience.com/46008-unusual-ways-music-affects-brain.html
• www.emedexpert.com/tips/music.shtml
• bestbinauralbeats.org/how-music-affects-our-mood/
• examinedexistence.com/how-music-changes-your-mood/

more websites

• www.healthychildren.org/.../Music-and-Mood.aspx
• leolearning.com/blog/how-does-music-affect-the-learning-experience/
• www.mindthesciencegap.org/2012/10/08/does-music-help-you-study/
• commonhealth.wbur.org/2014/07/music-language-brain
• http://education.jhu.edu/PD/newhorizons/strategies/topics/Arts%20in%20Educa...

EVen More websites

• https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/memory-medic/201312/does-music-help-me...
• http://www.quantumjumping.com/articles/subconscious/how-music-affects-the-b...
• www.cerebromente.org.br/n15/mente/musica.html
• www.mindthesciencegap.org/2012/10/08/does-music-help-you-study/
• http://education.seattlepi.com/listening-music-doing-homework-affect-grade-...

THE end