Contents of Curriculum Unit 01.06.07:

Introduction to the Mozart Effect

I truly believe that to develop a revolutionary intelligence strategy, one must establish an environment that encourages learning. Secondly, once the optimum learning environment is established, knowing how the child's brain learns. Studying the brain's basic functions must be taking into account, to include a variety of methods to maximize the learner's potential. Therefore the goal of this study is to nurture the body and mind through physical activities along with background music, can motivate and educate the student simultaneously. By reviewing this study, you will be familiar with neural connections and how the brain transforms sound into electrical messages. You will also understand how specific neurotransmitters (chemical stimulus) are cultivated through physical exercise together with setting a musical environmental that stimulates "The Mozart Effect" can improve learning. Together with physical activities and music, educators can develop strategies that can extend instructional strategies by deciphering new learning paradigms with the mind and the human body.

In support of this idea, Leslie Hart, feels that teaching without an awareness of how the brain learns is like designing a glove with no sense of what a hand looks like, its shape and how it moves. Even if you are limited to understanding how the brain functions, reading this study you will be to develop and design instructional settings that focuses on the brain. Brain base compatible strategies with a positive learning environment are the fundamentals to boost learning. Ron Brandt former executive editor of Education Leadership stated that brain science could be translated into strategies for effective teaching.

Brandt believes the thriving research of neuroscience can present educators with an awareness of new teaching strategies and attitudes that mesh with the mechanism of the biological brain. Understanding basic brain functions and strategies from various researches, the reader can discover useful ideas and activities that bring education to a superior level.

Reante Nummela Caine and Geoffrey Caine synthesized research related to the brain and learning and developed a list of twelve brain/mind learning principles. These principles can function as a theoretical foundation for brain-based learning and offer guidelines and a framework for teaching and learning. Caine and Caine identified three interactive and mutually supportive elements that should be present in order of complex learning to occur. Relaxed alertness is one. This consists of an environment of low threat and high challenge. Orchestrated immersion implies that the teacher becomes the conductor or the architect designing experience that will lead students to make meaningful connections. And finally, active processing of the experiences, which is the basis for making a meaningful, learning event. Reante Caine commented that emotions drives these three elements. By providing meaningfulness to the subject at hand, the student starts learning.

To harmonize an encouraging learning environment along with stimulating learning, research has found a relationship that joins these two with ease, music. Yes, music is a common bond between the two. Music may excite and strengthen these complex patterns in some way and prime the brain for the performance of other higher brain functions". Other benefits, of a more general sense, include the enhancement of self-confidence, growth in physical co-ordination and poise, increase in the ability to concentrate. Alfred Tomatis, a French physician who devoted his career to the physiological effects of sound. Tomatis wrote, "Mozart has a liberating, curative, even heal power. With him, we become what we are." Campbell has stated that playing recording music your child enjoys can create positive physiological effects, including decreased heart rate, less rapid breathing, and lower levels of the stress hormone, cortisol. Music can also distract your child from his/her stressful environment and create a private room of sound that can enclose healing warmth. By aligning physically and emotionally with serene rhythms of Mozart of other classical music, your child may also be able to speed up recovery.

Studies Regarding The Mozart Effect

In 1993, Frances Rausher, Gordon Shaw and Katherine Ky published a brief paper stating whether exposure to certain music could increase a cognitive ability. All thirty-six college students spent ten minutes in each of the three conditions: listening to (1) piano sonata by Mozart (sonata for two pianos in D, K448), (2) a tape of relaxation instructions or (3) silence to see if these conditions improved spatial performance. . Immediately after, they were tested on spatial/temporal reasoning. The measurements of spatial/temporal reasoning were obtained using subtests from a standard intelligence battery of tests, the Stanford-Binet Test. The subtest was a paper folding and cutting task. The subject has to imagine that a single sheet of paper has been folded several times and when various cutouts are made with scissors. The task is to correctly predict the pattern of cutouts when the paper is unfolded. The researchers found significantly higher scores for the Mozart group than for the relaxation or the silence groups. This study established the term "The Mozart Effect". To further support the idea of using music as a form to promote intelligence, Professors Xiaodan Leng and Gordon Shaw at the University of California at Irvine suggest that "the brain starts out with a certain connective pattern or circuitry in its cells, called neurons, which is highly structured in time and space. Music may "excite" and strengthen these neural patterns in some way and prepare the brain for executing higher brain functions.

Another study explored spatial intelligence with the use of various musical scores while viewing sixteen abstract figures on an overhead screen for one minute each. The exercise tested whether seventy-nine students, could tell how the items would look when they were unfolded. Music selected for this study came from Mozart, Phillip Glass, a dance piece, mixed sounds, an audiotape story and finally silence. The findings were remarkable. The researchers found that listening to Mozart achieved the highest scores. This suggests that listening to Mozart helps organize the firing patterns of neurons in the cerebral cortex, especially strengthening creative right brain processes associated with spatial-temporal reasoning. In other words listening to Mozart can improve your concentration and thus enhance your talent to produce intuitive leaps. The difference translated into spatial IQ scores for the Mozart group there eight to nine points higher than that of the other two groups. However, the positive effect was only brief. The increase of IQ did not last beyond ten to fifteen minutes. To achieve similar successful results when testing the Mozart Effect, even the primary researchers, Rauscher and Shaw (1998) admitted that certain factors must be the same as their original study.

Other researchers have tried to change the variable in order to test the boundaries of the Mozart Effect with few successful results. Of several studies on the Mozart effect, Dr. Kenneth Steele wrote is findings. In an attempt to replicate the Mozart Effect, researchers at Appalachian State University went to great lengths to adhere to the exact procedures of earlier studies. Dr. K. Steele and his associates were unable to prove that listening to Mozart had any effect on spatial reasoning. The group stated, "There is little evidence to support basing intellectual intervention on the existence of the Mozart Effect" .

Changing Auditory Sounds into Neural Messages

For sound to be transduced into neural patterns, the pushing and pulling of the stapes causes pressure to increase and decrease inside the cochlea. These changes in pressure deform the membranes inside the cochlea, which can then stimulate the organ of Corti. The organ of Corti has receptor cells that are cilia (hair like) protrusions. When vibrations travel through the ear, the mechanical movements are transformed into electrical signals, which stimulate the auditory nerve. The auditory neurons of the inferior colliculus project their axons to the thalamus, which in turn relay the information to the primary auditory cortex. Other areas include the secondary auditory cortex, the posterior auditory field and the anterior field. Additionally other important areas are Wernicke's (area 22) and Broca's (area 44), which is associated with the interpretation and production of language.

Neural Communications

However, dendrites and axons are not directly connected to each other. In order to keep from decaying or getting lost, axons are insolated and protected by specialized cells called "Schwann cells", which are covered with myelin. This fatty substance forms around well-used axons and not only speeds up electrical transmissions, (Twelve times as fast), but reduces interference from other nearby reactions. Some axons have gaps between Schwann cells called "nodes of Ranvier". They serve as points along the axon to accelerate messages by leaping from node to node called action potential, traveling hundreds of times faster than messages traveling along the surface of the axon. This action is called "Saltatory conduction". Between dendrites and axons there is a gap called the "synaptic gap". Here is where messages are carried inside a neuron by electrical impulses and then is it transmitted across the synaptic gap from one neuron to another by chemicals stored in the ends of the axons called neurotransmitters.

When the cell body sends an electrical discharge outward, it stimulates the release of stored neurotransmitters into the synaptic gap. Once in the gap, chemical reactions prompt new electrical energy in the receptors to other dendrites. Eventually, this repeated stimulation excites nearby cells, in time the neuron's ability to get excited is developed. Neurons have the ability to excite or inhibit signals from being forwarded. By constructing an environment that can prompt synaptic connections, learning is facilitated. The key to getting smarter is growing more synaptic connections between brain cells and not losing existing connections. It's the connections that allow us to solve problems and figure things out.

How Neural Transmitters Effect Learning

A neurotransmitter inhibiter called gamma - amino butyric acid or commonly known as GABA, prevents the electrical impulse from moving down the axon. Other inhibitors are mood altering drugs and neurotoxins that change the properties of neurotransmitters and there actions. This inactivation of neurotransmitters is sometimes called "enzymatic degradation".

Physical movements like walking, swimming running increase dopamine production, which is one of the brain's reward chemicals, and modulate our serotonin levels, a mood stabilizer. J. A. Hobson in 1994 stated that when students are drowsy, norepinephrine levels are low or "out of it". As a result, if you stimulate the body to increase stimulating chemical levels, you then can have the brain primed to learn. Teachers ought to recognize that emotional stimuli enhance memory. These concepts can establish the position of exciting the brain by causing the neuron to increase connections with other neurons, which will increase transmission of information.

Approaches to Promote the Brain's Arousal Systems

Van Praag in 1999 conducted animal studies that suggest running and other aerobic activities promote brain cell regeneration and growth . Also, the endorphins that relax us into a state of cortical alertness and reduce symptoms of depression are released through aerobic activity.

Enriching the learning Environment

Emotions can also affect the learning environment. When emotional pain or negative occurrence can obscure our point of view and thinking. Children have a difficult time in dealing with negative emotions or stressful situations. When children are overwhelmed with these conditions, children desire structured games and positive "time - outs" which helps the child regroup so to speak on their self - esteem. The body is consistently seeking homeostasis to overcome stress and emotional overload. Movement is the body's natural reward. Physical activity causes the body/brain to naturally balance its innate homeostasis. Teachers can also accomplish this by employing music in their classrooms are capable of relaxing children and reducing anger, anxiety and stress levels. With this strategy, teachers can have their students realize their capabilities.

Effects of Musical Scores on Emotions and Moods that Stimulate the learning Environment

North and Hargreaves studied music and arousal potential. They found that music evoke emotional reactions by initiating feelings of like/dislike and increasing the level of excitement or arousal. Additionally, commenting that these factors by itself result in a particular emotion, but somehow together they yield actual emotions. Moreover, the study found that listening to the same musical excerpt could produce different emotions in the same person at different times.

In 1994, a study was done to investigate if music can suggest particular emotions or moods to its listeners. Knowledgeable musicians pre-selected musical compositions to evoke various emotions, such as happiness, sadness, anger and fear. The study examined children between the ages of nine and ten and adults. The listeners would rate the mood or emotion to the music being presented. Results shown that upbeat music generated positive moods or emotions while sad music produced negative feelings. In other words, music is a genuine approach to emotional arousal. Professor Taniguchi of Kyoto University developed a study to investigate if selected background music would aid in the memory of words. He played either happy or sad music while subjects studied words that would reflect emotional arousal. Results show that retention of words that reflected positive or negative feelings better when listening to music associated with that feeling. Therefore, music induced moods and the affective meaning of language enhances memory compared to rote memory.

Rosalie Pratt and her fellow colleagues did a study involving nineteen students with attention deficit disorder (ADD) or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). These disorders are characterized by selective inattention and impulse control problems. The study involved the subjects listening to Mozart as background music at least three times a week. The experimental group shown evidence of improved focus, mood control and social skills. Furthering the success of the study, seventy percent of the experimental group maintained the improvements after six months, implying long-term positive effects.

Dr. Robert Thayer, an expert on mood management wrote a book on what behaviors would you use to reduce nervousness, tension, or anxiety? The college students he interviewed responded with situations such as talking to others, listening to music, positive self-talk to name a few mood enhancers. Of the twenty-one potential mood regulators presented in his survey, music ranked third, only six percent difference between the top ranked mood modulator - talking to others. Apparently the brain can respond to music the same way calming words or a safe environment can achieve. In a study with twenty male Alzheimer's patients, they listened to a thirty-minute music session five times a week for one month. This study shown an increase of norepinephrine and epinephrine during the music therapy. However this success was short lived. These neurotransmitters returned to pre-therapy levels at the end of the study.

Using music as an arousal for the brain can occur, however, you as the producer have the ability to control some variables. The best type of music suited to bring about positive moods and emotions are classical music. Classical music is the most soothing, stimulating, and tranquil. The least effective type of music to use is with lyrics of hate and despair. Heavy metal music and certain rap songs tend to encourage negative moods and poorer arousals. When selecting types of music, find musical scores with only instrumental sonatas. If selecting lyrical music, find ones with positive reflections. These findings may guide future strategies to evoke positive emotions and calmness. Understanding of how music can inspire new learning approaches, present endless possibilities. Using distinctive music such as Mozart and other types to amplify motivation which as a result will stimulate certain chemicals in the body that heighten learning and blood flow. This way I believe educators can recognize the value of utilizing music in promoting a positive learning environment. This approach of student nurturing of the body and mind can be presented through physical activities that will explain brain functions and the learning process.

Educational Relevance

Using distinctive music such as Mozart and other types to amplify motivation which as a result will stimulate certain chemicals in the body that heighten learning and blood flow. By making music as a primer to become encouraged to learn, these conditions should be established for greater success. There must be a purpose or assignment in mind. Secondly, the student should be exposed to a specific piece of music for at least ten minutes. And lastly, the assignment must be performed within five minutes of listening to the musical score. If you use a piece of music that makes you feel better, that's arousal. If you hear a piece of music before attempting a task and you perform subsequently better, that's the priming effect. It is worth experimenting with various types of music that may have a greater influence in enriching the learning environment Educators can then be able to recognize the value of utilizing music in promoting a positive learning environment.

This approach of student nurturing of the body and mind can be presented through physical activities that will explain brain functions and the learning process. Selecting physical activities that include vocabulary words relating to the neural connections and the brain, along with selected music that promotes arousal. In this way educators, can present a nurturing atmosphere second to none. Our educational process must continue to investigate new learning strategies so that educators can review innovative teaching approaches and utilize them to their field of expertise. If compelling evidence encourages the use of music throughout educational subjects, then it is imperative to share its value. The majority of educators lack knowledge about the brain and how neurotransmitters levels can be increased through music; therefore they lack the ability to articulate the possible connection of music and the value of the "Mozart Effect". This study presents new teaching strategies that incorporate music that creates a real paradigm shift of expanding learning. Educators with this new insight of brain research can augment their field of expertise. Not only physical educators will be able to present music in their classroom, but all educators else as well. By constructing a learning environment that can support learning, educators will nurture a child's growth.

Lesson Plan 1 "Neural Connections"

Objectives:

a. Students will learn the basic concept of chemical transmissions at the synapse.

b. Students will learn the key names of neurons and neurotransmitters.

c. Students will understand how psychoactive drugs affect neural signals.

d. Students will develop eye hand coordination and teamwork skills through relay race activities.

Materials:

Selection of the following songs composed by Mozart:

1. Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, K525

2. Divertimento in D Major, K 136

3. Allegro con spirito from the Sonata in D Major for Two pianos, K 448

4. Allegro from the Sonata in F Major, K 376

5. Andante from Symphony #13 in F Major, K 112

Anticipatory Set:

Main Activity:

The effects of psychoactive drugs or inhibiting neurotransmitters can be discussed when a ball or object is blocked or dropped as it is passed. At the conclusion of this activity students will become aware of the chemical process of neural connections, which sends messages throughout the body.

Homework select one of three handouts in appendix A.

Lesson Plan 2 "Synaptic Tag"

Objectives:

a. Students will learn the names of various neurotransmitters.

b. Students will understand how neurotransmitter inhibitors affect chemical messages.

c. Students will learn the basic process of neural signals.

d. Students will develop their agility and speed while performing this game.

Tape Player

Selection of the following songs composed by Mozart:

1. Symphony # 27 in G Major K. 199

2. Symphony # 31 in D Major K. 297

3. Symphony # 39 in E- Flat K 543

4. Andante from the Serenade in D Major K. 250

Anticipatory Set:

Main Activity:

GABA's (inhibitor's start in the middle of the Gym)

Homework select one of three handouts in appendix A.

Lesson Plan 3 "Saltatory Conduction"

Objectives:

a. Students will learn the process of Saltatory Conduction.

b. Students will learn about the Schwann cells and the nodes of Ravier.

c. Students will develop eye hand coordination and teamwork while performing group activities.

Materials:

Selecting musical scores from the following:

1. Allegretto from the Divertimento in D Major K. 131

2. Divertimento in F K. 138

3. Symphony #33 in B Flat K. 319

Anticipatory Set:

Main Activity:

Homework select one of three handouts in appendix A.

APPENDIX A

Name____________________________

Brain Jobs

Your brain has many different jobs. Name at least three jobs of your brain.

1.

2.

3.

Keeping Your Brain Healthy

Your brain is the most important organ in your body and it is up to you to keep it healthy. What can you do to keep your brain in top condition?

"NEURONAL CONNECTIONS"

Name_________________________________________

The Brain's Workers: Neurons (Nerve Cells)

There are 100 billion nerve cells or "neurons" in the brain. Neurons are like little batteries that send, store and receive information. Draw a picture of a neuron and label its parts (axon, dendrites, cell body, synaptic terminal). For more information see website:

http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/cells.

Name_________________________

The brain is made up of 100 billion nerve cells ("neurons"). A neuron has special parts: the cell body, the axon, the axon terminal and the __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __. To find out what this last part of the neuron is, fill in the spaces below this picture with every other letter on this wheel. Start with the letter "D" (it is already filled in) and go around the wheel in the direction of the arrow.

Teacher Resources

Parent Resources

Student Resources

Electronic Resources

Music Resources