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Teaching Mathematics with Music: A Pilot Study

  • Tara Julia Hamilton
  • , Julieanne Doai
  • , Andrew Milne
  • , Vicky Saisanas
  • , Andrea Calilhanna
  • , Courtney Hilton
  • , Micah Goldwater
  • , Richard Cohn
  • Macquarie University
  • Sch Engn
  • Bankstown Girls High Sch
  • University of Sydney
  • Yale University

Research output: Chapter in Book / Conference PaperConference Paperpeer-review

19 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

A solid foundation in mathematics is paramount to a comprehensive STEM education. Many students, however, struggle with connecting mathematical concepts with their everyday life and find its symbolic nomenclature unintuitive; subsequently this can be a significant barrier for many students in undertaking further STEM studies. In this paper we describe a pilot study which aims to determine whether understanding in mathematics, and specifically, fractions, equivalence, ordinance, and division, improves when we employ music and musical rhythm in our lessons. This pilot study is currently being trialed at a public high school in Sydney's South-West and despite the fact that the study is ongoing, preliminary data suggest students are responding to this novel teaching methodology. In this paper we report increases in both test performance and, importantly, student engagement.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings Of 2018 Ieee International Conference On Teaching, Assessment, And Learning For Engineering (tale)
EditorsMJW Lee, S Nikolic, J Shen, LCU Lei, GKW Wong, N Venkatarayalu
PublisherIEEE
Pages927-931
Number of pages5
ISBN (Electronic)978-1-5386-6522-0
Publication statusPublished - 2018
EventIEEE International Conference on Teaching, Assessment, and Learning for Engineering (IEEE TALE) - Engineering Next-Generation Learning - Wollongong, Australia
Duration: 4 Dec 20187 Dec 2018

Publication series

NameProceedings Of Ieee International Conference On Teaching Assessment And Learning For Engineering

Conference

ConferenceIEEE International Conference on Teaching, Assessment, and Learning for Engineering (IEEE TALE) - Engineering Next-Generation Learning
Country/TerritoryAustralia
CityWollongong
Period4/12/187/12/18

Keywords

  • K-12 mathematics
  • STEAM education
  • STEM education
  • Analogical encoding
  • Music education

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