Striking a Chord

Educational budget cutbacks have had a startling and detrimental effect on school districts around the country.  The arts have been especially aware of these reductions bearing the brunt of them.  The focus on music education, however, has grown as a means of enhancing critical thinking skills.  
 
In the National Association for Music Education, January 2012 edition of “Teaching Music” the argument is made that critical thinking can be enhanced through the teaching of music.   The premise is based on a study by Daniel C. Johnson, “The Effect of Critical Thinking On Verbal Descriptions of Music.” His results conclude that lessons that are only activity-based are less effective than lessons that incorporate opportunities for creativity and collaboration.
Music teachers can look forward to Johnson’s future publication of the lesson plans that his study found as effective methods, such as the use of open-ended questions and student interaction.  Although Johnson’s study focused on music education, it reminds teachers in all subject areas of the importance of collaboration and creativity.   Collaboration and creativity are also two of the four C’s need for 21st Century Learning, which also include communication and critical thinking. 

Teachers can use a number of Internet tools to support their promotion of the 4 C’s.   Collaboration can be facilitated through the use of Wikispaces, blogs, or Google Docs.  Whether the lesson being taught is in music or science, students learn to consider the ideas of others and work and communicate effectively to accomplish a common goal through collaboration.  Flexibility and learning to value and respect the input of team members is a skill that future employers will be seeking from today’s students.  Glogster can be used to combine creativity and collaboration through the collection of media on an interactive format.  Students must think critically in the completion of Glogs in order to respond to a lesson’s objectives and communicate their own ideas. 

The arts have a vital place in our schools and the precarious position they have been placed in because of budget cuts highlights the importance of Johnson’s study.  The arts not only provide an outlet for students to display their talents but also exercises and performances requiring math, reading, and analytical skills.  The inclusion of the arts in education, however, goes beyond literacy skills, but also builds confidence and self-esteem in students that can be very powerful in helping them succeed.