Teaching Young Children with Autism Graphic Symbols Embedded Within an Interactive Song

In this study, Simpson and Keen use music as a tool for teaching young autistic boys. They showed pictures of animals on PowerPoint slides simultaneously with a song containing the animal names. When tested later, each boy was able to identify which animal was in each slide. The music helped the children recall the images and correlate the name of the animal with its picture. One student was able to identify the animals well without the music, but for the other two they performed far better when the music was played and sung. This study shows that autistic children will benefit from music integration in the classroom. Simpson and Keen are excited by the prospects of this study, and want to expand and continue studies such as these with larger groups of students.

Simpson, K. and Keen, D. (2010).Teaching Young Children with Autism Graphic

Symbols Embedded Within an Interactive Song. Retrieved from

http://springerlink.metapress.com.libproxy.chapman.edu:2048/content/a6826u73282278p4/fulltext.pdf

• Autistic students are more apt to recall information when music is involved in teaching
• Music is a powerful tool for memorization and recall

This study is a fabulous example of how teachers can use music in their classrooms. Especially with the number of autistic students growing by the year, music is needed more than ever in our curriculum.

Arts-Based Research in Education: Foundations for Practice

This compilation of essays and articles touches on problems with the research of the arts in education. One of which is having too many different point of views about where the arts should go, and how they should be taught (if at all). Another is having trouble with government issued programs that require an explanation for everything taught in schools. Teachers are being forced to meet test scores and this demands most of their time. The arts take a beating because it is hard to support them with concrete evidence. This is why researchers are working vigorously to prove to the academic world that the arts are indeed necessary in schools and that their research is valid.

Cahnmann-Taylor, M. and Siegesmund, R. (2007). Arts-Based Research in Education:Foundations for Practice. Retrieved from

http://web.ebscohost.com.libproxy.chapman.edu:2048/ehost/pdf?vid=4&hid=6&sid=cd1c5543-d88e-418d-908d-129dfc45751d%40sessionmgr11

• The importance of academic researchers accepting arts research as credible
• The need to defend the arts as a necessary curriculum in schools

Much can be learned from arts-based research. It needs to be taken seriously and is every bit as important as research in other areas of academics. I believe that much can be learned from arts-based research that will benefit our students.

Arts, Neuroscience, and Learning

In James E. Zull's article, he questions what art really is. He proposes that art is anything that is done well. Whether it be a skill or talent - learning, even, he considers art. Zull states that the only way one remembers what is taught, is if emotion is brought into teaching. Arts, he has found, release chemicals into the brain such as adrenalin, dopamine, and serotonin. Thus, when music, drama, dance, and movement are combined with other curriculum, students are more likely to remember what is being taught. He believes that this neurological research will make other subjects more enjoyable, and keep the arts from being discredited.

Zull, J. E. (March 2005). Arts, Neuroscience, and Learning. Retrieved from http://www.newhorizons.org/neuro/zull_2.htm

• Neurologists have discovered that the arts cause the brain to release chemicals that evoke a sense of well-being (adrenalin, dopamine, and serotonin)
• When emotions are felt, material is remembered and recalled better

This research is crucial for the education community. It is important that our students have every opportunity to learn of the arts through music, movement, and drama. If the arts are kept in schools and combined with other subjects, our students will flourish.