Podcasts are an incredible invention and although I have never been part of a program (in a class, at a job, etc.) which utilizes podcasts, I think they are extremely convenient tools. There are millions of podcasts published, and they are free! You can subscribe to a podcast you enjoy and then whenever there is a new "episode" you automatically receive it. Once you have it you can choose to watch/listen to it at your leisure, and afterwards you can choose to erase it or keep it.
Large organizations of people, whether it be university classrooms or any type of job can really benefit they commit to a podcast. They can get weekly updates and learn whatever the podcast director/creator exposes them to with each episode- and since human beings are never static these frequent little podcast shorts can really steer the way people go. Perhaps a podcast may contain relaxation music for a university class, or communication tips for business men and women in a certain company.
Music really can change lives, and I think it is often overlooked when one thinks of "education". In our society the importance is placed on math and science, the amount of credits and classes being taken and how much we can handle at once. With our go-go-go attitudes stress is unavoidable, and it is my opinion that if we are going to push ourselves to live this way we are going to NEED an outlet of some sort. For me, that outlet always has been and continues to be music. Music can touch a person's soul with its sounds and lyrics and emotions, and everyone can take something away from a good artist, album, or even just a song. You can learn to see something from a new perspective- music can open your eyes to a world you may have otherwise never seen... and this is a beautiful thing.
By devoting our time to listening to music and hearing life through someone else's songs, we can become more open-minded people and more understanding of others. And I honestly believe that if this is learned from an early age- if we can relax, sit back and switch the focus from our own troubles to the feelings and emotions of another- perhaps we will be a more accepting and less discriminatory society..... one day.
I think it is worth a try with elementary school students because they are so young... at the very least exposing these children to music will soothe them and decrease their stress levels (even if they are not aware of it).
Many studies such as this one have scientifically proven the beneficial health effects of listening to music! Of course it depends on the type of music, but it's stimulating for the brain and calming for the soul. It is an amazing tool and it amazes me schools haven't used it more to focus their students and just make class more enjoyable in general.
I digress from my musical utopia.
One more thing I would like to add: Outside of the classroom, there are certain music programs available such as Garageband which function essentially as a compact, personal recording studio. There are many different types of Garageband for several music genres, and depending on the genre certain instruments are available to virtually play and experiment with.
- Rhythm Section
- Voices
- World Music
- Remix Tools
- Symphony Orchestra
(explore each jampack here)
You can record, playback, and edit your own songs and mixes in each; great news for musicians without all the tangible instruments or tools they may want. Is the world of music ready for this?
Do you think these programs will make a difference in traditional record companies or traditional recording processes? How? (post a comment!)
Final Thought:
"Music has a power
of forming the character,
of forming the character,
and should therefore be introduced
into the education of the young."
into the education of the young."
- Aristotle
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