Effectof Instrumental Background Music in the Academic Performance in Mathematics of Grade One Pupils of Malabag Elementary School

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Revisions in the educational curriculum were made to suit and cater to the needs and different aspects of a child's educational development particularly in the cognitive aspect. Researches and experiments are made and improved to specifically target students' abilities, skills, and talents. Children respond and sing along to the music. Children and adults alike rarely forget the nursery rhymes they grew up with. This is how we believe that cognitive memory is easily increased with music and rhyming songs. A majestic chorus can make one swell with excitement. But music may also affect the way one thinks.

METHODS

The study utilized the experimental Randomized Pretest-Posttest Control Group and the correlation research design method. This Experimental research aimed to find the Effect of Instrumental Background Music in the Academic Performance in Mathematics of grade one pupils. Three groups were assigned, Nursery Rhyme Music, Classical Music, and Control Group. The first measurement serves as the pretest, the second as a post-test. Measurements or observations are collected at the same time for both groups.

RESULTS

Most pupils werefair in their Pretest Mathematics academic performance. After receiving different kinds of instrumental background music during activities in Mathematics for four weeks, Experimental Groups showed remarkable improvements in terms of Post Test academic performance in Mathematics compared to the Control Group. The result of the test given to the three groups shows a significant difference in the Mathematics Post Test Academic Performance which means that the treatments given to the experimental groups are effective. The results show that learning took place within 3 groups but the most significant mean difference is with Classical Music. Exposure to background music shows influence in the cognitive in terms of attention and improved focus among pupils in the study showing positive response on the behavior, attention span and performance of pupils in the class.

DISCUSSIONS

Results demonstrate the need to encourage the teachers to further update their teaching competencies in Mathematics by enjoining the use of multimedia devices. Send teachers to training/workshop on new and innovative ways of teaching. Expose pupils to soft, quieting music/environment to help improve attention skills and improve focus in classroom activities. Integrate music to activities and play/ instructional materials during lessons in Mathematics and other subjects as well.