THE POWER OF MUSIC IN TEACHING AND LEARNING SCIENCE
ROWENA M. CUBELO
One of the creative teaching strategies to help learners absorb the world of science with fun is through the power of music. Science teachers can make use of the interesting science songs available online or create one to introduce the basics of Astronomy, Biology, Botany, Physical Science and Earth Science with fun. Science Is real, meet the elements, the star song and motion song are a few among the popular science songs available online.
The use of science-content songs for teaching and learning in four corners of the classrooms is said to be effective. The results of different study indicated that teachers use content-rich music to enhance student understanding of concepts in science by developing contentbased vocabulary, providing students with alternative examples and explanations of concepts, and as a sense-making experience to help build conceptual understanding.
The use of science-content songs engaged students by providing both situational and personal interest, and provided a mnemonic device for remembering key concepts in science. The use of songs has relevance from a constructivist approach as they were used to help students build meaning; from a socio-cultural perspective in terms of student engagement; and from a mental viewpoint that in these cases they helped students influence in learning. Indeed, there are many benefits in using science songs for science teachers and the science education community in developing new instructional strategies for the 21st century education in teaching and learning science.
As educators of science, we want to suitably challenge each student, reassuring higher-order thinking while meeting state standards. Music is one tool to involve each student and provide a trail for connections and deeper understanding. Songs are essentially poems, and have a lot of meaning packed into few words. Questions arise as to what the author means, students own experiences are considered from the perspective of that meaning, and this helps create an environment where students want to share what they are thinking.
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The author is SST III at O’Donnel High School, Division Of Tarlac Province