Educators know best that teaching is about more than the subject matter. Student success at school is also influenced by both educators and the environment. Everything from a space’s comfort and cleanliness to the lighting and background music can influence learning.
Music can play a significant role in cognitive processing, particularly in educational settings. In higher education in particular, music is typically underutilized when compared to early education settings.
Music in School and Classroom Settings
Elementary schools use music to suit the playfulness of younger learners, while universities and post-graduate programs often forgo music during more traditional lectures, group activities, study sessions, and exams.
But if music can improve retention, recall and learning, why not use it even in higher education?
Let’s explore exactly how background music can increase learning outcomes in higher education.
Understanding Memory Retention and Cognitive Processing
First, let’s look at memory retention in academia.
A familiar concept for those in higher education, memory retention involves the ability to store and recall information over time. This includes both short-term and long-term memory.
In academia, memory retention is crucial for learning and applying new concepts. Scientifically, retention is also linked to cognitive load theory. Cognitive load theory suggests that our working memory has limited capacity — a sort of ceiling.
This means it’s important to manage the amount of new information coming in for students. But did you know music can play a role in this process?
Various acoustic features can increase and decrease cognitive load. These core features include:
- Amplitude (loudness)
- Frequency (pitch)
- Waveform (timbre)
- Rhythm (pace)
- Melody (tune)
Of those, amplitude (loudness) is the main characteristic of auditory perception and can even influence attention span.
The Neuroscience of Music and Memory
How does music actually influence memory retention? It has to do with the brain.
In addition to updating events in memory, a study from Stanford University found that music engages areas of the brain involved with paying attention and making predictions. This is because music activates various brain regions, including:
- The hippocampus, which is vital for memory formation
- The prefrontal cortex, which is associated with decision-making and focus
However, the impact of music on memory retention can vary depending on factors such as the presence of lyrics. Research published in the Journal of Cognition suggests that music with lyrics may interfere with cognitive tasks, potentially hindering memory performance.
|| Music with lyrics may potentially hinder memory performance and retention.
Case Studies and Real-Life Applications in Higher Education
A few higher education institutions have explored the integration of background music into learning environments. The goal? To enhance student well-being and concentration.
Georgia Institute of Technology
A recent study from the Georgia Institute of Technology found that familiar music can help people focus and learn better. "Depending its familiarity and structure, music can help or hinder our memory," said Dr. Yiren Ren.
In the study, participants heard both familiar, easy-to-listen-to music and unfamiliar music. They were then asked to remember a sequence of shapes. Unsurprisingly, participants remembered the shapes faster and more often after listening to the more predictable music.
The University of Colorado Denver
The University of Colorado Denver highlighted the role of music in creating a supportive academic atmosphere, noting that certain types of music can aid in relaxation and focus during study sessions.
They discovered types of music that aided in memory retention instead of distracting students. These types include:
- Commercial-free music
- Lyric-free instrumental music
- Familiar upbeat music
- Relaxing ambient music
The University of Maryland
Similarly, the University of Maryland Global Campus discusses how background music can improve memory retention and cognitive performance, suggesting music’s use in study areas can foster a conducive learning environment.
Whether streaming music via headphones or overhead, their tips included:
- Keep music at a moderate level or volume. Overly loud music can be both irritating and distracting.
- Listen to simple instead of complex music. Music with creative riffs or solos can also be distracting.
- Music with positive vibes can be nostalgic and evoke happier moods. Happier students study more productively.
- Focus on instrumental tracks with a tempo of 60-70 BPM — lyric-free if possible. Music with a faster tempo may increase arousal levels, potentially leading to decreased concentration.
Evidence from these institutions indicates music’s positive effects on student concentration and overall academic experience.
Practical Tips for Using Background Music in Higher Education
Now that we know music’s potential impact on higher learning, how can institutions implement it?
When to Use Music
It can be tempting to assume music can only influence memory and studying in an environment like the library. But there are much broader applications.
It can be tempting to assume music can only influence memory and studying in an environment like the library. But there are much broader applications.
Consider streaming background music in:
- Common areas where students often gather for study sessions (dorm lobbies, for example)
- Classrooms where professors, aides, or tutors conduct exam prep or office hours
- Lunch rooms, cafeterias, coffee shops, and restaurants
Basically, anywhere students are gathering to study together, whether alone or with others, is a great place where music can help improve studying.
Choosing the Best Study Playlist
Universities that have implemented music agree that ad-free, instrumental, acoustic music is best for memory retention.
Pandora CloudCover offers 200+ business stations to choose from, or businesses can curate their own based on a particular song or artist.
Some stations that best suit studying include:
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References
Neuroscientists explore the intersection of music and memory. (August 2024). Science Daily.
Cognitive Load Changes during Music Listening and its Implication in Earcon Design in Public Environments: An fNIRS Study. (Sept 2018). National Library of Medicine.
Music moves brain to pay attention, Stanford study finds. (2007). Stanford Medicine.
Should We Turn off the Music? Music with Lyrics Interferes with Cognitive Tasks. Journal of Cognition.
The Power of Music: Enhancing Your College Experience Through Sound. (Nov 2023). University of Colorado Denver.
How Music Can Help You Study. (Sept 2024). University of Maryland Global Campus.