At home, some students listen to music when they are studying or doing homework. For some, music helps them concentrate and get their work done faster. A few teachers at Canyon Vista play music in the classroom or let the students play their own songs. Does this approach really help the students concentrate, or does it distract them from learning?

Teachers who do play music in their classes often play it when students are doing group or individual work. Mrs. Buentello, an 8th grade U.S. History teacher, plays jazz, chill music, and 80’s music. “Jazz is great for concentrating, chill music is upbeat and relaxing, and 80’s is upbeat.” Doing work silently doesn’t promote productivity, whereas when you hear music, the work seems to go by faster.

Some teachers may argue that they can’t always see what students are doing on their own devices. Students could be using their phones to cheat, text with a friend, or to play inappropriate songs. A solution to this may be to just let the teacher play music for the class. Letting the teacher play the music would help stop the problem of students using their devices for other purposes, but a new problem can come from that as well. Ms. Castro, an 8th grade science teacher, said, “Students complain about what the teacher chooses. When you give the students choices, they tend to argue. It’s a difficult thing to balance.”

Although there may be some potential problems with letting students play their own music, there are many benefits to it. Listening to music while working can help students concentrate, drown out other conversations or any bothersome activities going on around the room, or relieve students from stress. Students may be having a hard time at home, and sometimes listening to a good song or an artist they like can put them in a better mood that will help them get on with their day in a more positive way. If classes in the fine arts wing play music almost every single day to get kids’ creativity and energy flowing, why shouldn’t core classes do the same?     

When asked whether they thought more teachers should allow music in class, teachers said it depended on the way other classrooms are run. “I think that decision should be based on a teacher to teacher basis. If you lack class management skills, then no, but if you have a pretty good handle on your class, and have established certain norms, then yes,” said Mrs. Buentello.

Music could be the thing that helps more students get work done faster and in a more productive way, and music may even change their attitude about school. More teachers should consider music in the classroom as it may change school for the better.