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CONTENTS ISSUE 85
20
58
42 REGULARS
FEATURES
6 FROM THE EDITOR
28 COVER STORY
8 CALENDAR OF EVENTS 66 PRODUCT SHOWCASE 70 NOTICEBOARDS
Interest in the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Australian schools is growing. More educators are participating in important exchanges about AI as understanding develops around how it will impact the work of teachers and students in schools. Dr Jane Hunter explores the potential impact of this emerging technology on Australian classrooms.
34 STEAM THE MUSICAL
If Australia wants to be a truly creative and innovative nation, then the Arts have to be in the mix. Increasingly, we should be talking about STEAM in schools, with the Arts at the centre of the conversation. This type of thinking was behind the creation of a school musical, Somewhere Between Here There and Everywhere, performed in September at St Vincent’s Primary School – Aranda in the ACT.
38 THE IMPORTANCE OF SCAFFOLDED LEARNING
Associate Professor Sophia Karanicolas of the University of Adelaide examines the finding of a group of colleagues across Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Canada who have collaboratively developed a set of peer-reviewed principles that guide the planning, implementation and evaluation of flipped classrooms.
54 THE RISE OF IOT DEVICES IN SCHOOLS
What can schools do to protect staff, students and critical data against the rising tide of malware and other malicious web-based threats which have become so prevalent?
4 | EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS
12 INTERACTIVE LEARNING
Mal Lee and Roger Broadie look at what ‘being digital’ means in the modern, complex world of education.
20 PLUGGED IN
How can students boost productivity during study with music?
42 NEXT STEP
Shelley Kinash examines how schools can achieve industry relevance and student engagement in online learning.
46 LET’S TALK PEDAGOGY
Award-winning mathematics and technologies teacher David Chu of Emmaus Christian College looks at why it is so important for schools to build the space for children to understand technology as opposed to merely consuming it.
50 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Find out about Australian Theatre for Young People’s (ATYP) On Demand platform that brings the arts to teachers and students across Australia for FREE!
58 TEACHING TOOLS
The challenge of too much screen time for young Australians represents an intriguing problem. The question is, can it be definitively solved?
62 GET CONNECTED
Why, in 2018/19, are connectivity and networking still problems that need to be solved in many Australian schools?
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EDITORIAL
EDITOR John Bigelow EMAIL john@interactivemediasolutions.com.au SUBEDITORS Helen Sist, Ged McMahon
CONTRIBUTORS Sam Beattie, Luke Maher, Jane Hunter, Sophia Karanicolas, Jim Cook, Mal Lee, Roger Broadie, Dan Anderson, David Chu, Shelly Kinash, Ritesh Chugh, Gavin Wilson, Jordan Cullis
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T
he law of unintended consequences
potential unintended consequences of any new
seems at least as relevant, if not
technologies which might be employed in an
more relevant, today than it was when
education environment.
first raised by English philosopher
In this issue’s cover story, Dr Jane Hunter looks
and physician John Locke who discussed the
at the potential future use of Artificial Intelligence
PHONE 1300 300 552 EMAIL finance@interactivemediasolutions.com.au
unintended consequences of interest rate regulation
(AI) in education. In addition to being a former
in his letter to Sir John Somers, member of
primary and secondary teacher, Dr Hunter is
PUBLISHER
parliament, back in 1824.
currently involved in conducting postdoctoral
ACCOUNTS
In just the last two decades, we have seen the
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research studies into Science, Technology,
emergence of a multitude of technologies that serve
Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education
as prime examples of how something developed
in Australian schools, while also teaching in the
for one purpose can have a completely unforeseen
School of Education at the University of Technology
and unexpected impact in another area. Just look
Sydney. Dr Hunter’s insights into the potential
at the impact smartphones and tablet computers
future use of AI in education are both insightful and
have had on the print, entertainment and music
educational. Dr Hunter and her colleagues have also
industries. Alternatively, look at the impact social
put together a great article around the importance
media has had on society, namely in the areas of
of including the Arts in STEAM programs and the
social interactions, psychological development and
unique and interesting way one particular school
personality traits.
has chosen to incorporate the A in STEAM.
Therefore, it seems not only reasonable but wise to very closely examine and consider the
Please enjoy this issue and I look forward to your feedback. n
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6 | EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS
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| EVENTS CALENDAR
Bett 2019
showcase, bringing together 80+
Senior Executives, prefer to talk to
training sector (primary, secondary,
23–26 January 2019
suppliers over two days.
the real implementers of technology
tertiary and workplace learning) plus
teaching at the coal-face, or are
libraries, government, suppliers and
Excel London
The Expo offers the unique chance
Creating A Better Future By
to see a wide range of solutions side-
looking to meet people in specific
world-renowned speakers all under
Transforming Education
by-side, allowing you to both identify
roles such as Foundation or SEN
one roof.
Bett is the first industry show of the year
the technologies that are right for
Coordinators, the event is structured
in the education technology landscape,
you, and which vendors you want to
to appeal to the people you want to
a wide variety of conference streams
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partner with. If you want to save time
speak to.
designed for your role, ensuring you
companies, 103 exciting new edtech
and money, there’s only one place you
start ups and over 34,700 attendees
need to go in 2019… a must attend for
For more information visit
development investment. Furthermore,
(131 countries represented) from the
the entire K-12 schools sector.
www.futureschools.com.au
EduTECH works with industry to
global education community, that come together to celebrate, find inspiration
As a delegate, you can choose from
get the most out of your professional
subsidise registration costs to make the
Access the best speakers from
conference an affordable and accessible
Australia and around the world.
EduTECH Australia 2018
investment in your learning.
as well as the role technology and
brings together world-leading
5–7 June 2019
• Access the very best speakers
innovation plays in enabling all
education experts who deliver
International Convention Centre,
educators and learners to thrive.
thought-leadership and practical case
Sydney
studies across K-12 education. Our
EduTECH is Australasia’s largest
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mission is to improve the quality
annual education technology
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of teaching and learning within
conference and exhibition. In 2019,
Australasia and Asia-Pac.
EduTECH will host a multitude of
and discuss the future of education,
National FutureSchools Expo
The five conferences at the
conferences and masterclasses
from Australia and around the world. • Share ideas, successes and challenges. • Discuss, debate and take away implementable outcomes. • This is a second-to-none
National FutureSchools Expo
National FutureSchools Expo have
attended by over 8,000+ educators, as
20–21 March 2019
all been designed to cater for senior
well as hosting an official event dinner
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Melbourne Convention & Exhibition
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congresses, with multiple streams,
The National FutureSchools Expo is Australia’s largest education
8 | EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS
Whether you want to focus your engagements on Principals and the
EduTECH is the only event that brings together the entire education and
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plus focused breakout sessions, masterclasses and interactive
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Tightly focussed professional development around 3
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Mega Themes Advancing Cultures of Innovation Redesigning Learning Spaces Rise of STEAM Learning
Challenges we will tackle: Authentic Learning Experiences Improving Digital Literacy Rethinking the Roles of Teachers Teaching Computational Thinking The Achievement Gap Sustaining Innovation through Leadership Changes
Dr Jane Hunter
Adrian Camm
Lauren Sayer
Technology developments we will feature: Makerspaces Robotics Analytics Technologies Virtual Reality Artificial Intelligence The Internet of Things
Steven Bradbury
Sarah Chapman
Find out More and Register @ www.iwb.net.au/digital Email: team@iwb.net.au Call: +612 4647 0783
Melbourne in August - a great place to be
Thursday 8, Friday 9, Saturday 10 August 2019 | Crown Promenade Hotel | Melbourne
Matt Richards
l Digitance y r a rdin fere No O logy Con no Tech
| EVENTS CALENDAR
exhibition seminars and displays
most innovative change agents. You’ll
aspiring leaders and lead teachers
• The Achievement Gap
(not to mention hours of networking
have more than 1,000 opportunities to
achieve superior digital technology
• Sustaining innovation through
functions).
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for you and covers what’s important
not attend yourself or send a team
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while connecting with innovative
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more information.
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• See what is on offer and save time
Leadership Changes.
five years:
transformative learning. Save the date
Developing the themes:
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for ISTE 2019! n
The conference is structured around
• Robotics
ISTE 2019
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• Analytics Technologies
23-26 June 2019
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leading digital school:
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conference.iste.org/2019
• Advancing Cultures of Innovation
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10 | EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS
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| INTERACTIVE LEARNING
BEING DIGITAL BY MAL LEE AND ROGER BROADIE
In 1995, Nicholas Negroponte wrote in
social mores. It is a suite that
his seminal work of being digital. The
simultaneously draws upon and
book did not define what was meant
enhances the other areas of learning.
by being digital, but simply exemplified
Moreover, it is a suite that, while
what it was likely to mean. Twenty-
containing many common features, is
plus years later, with the movement
individualised, with each child in being
from an analogue to digital society
digital having the capabilities needed
and with more than half the world
to pursue their interests and passions.
digitally connected, we can go a long
It is most emphatically far more than a
way to clarifying what is being digital,
variant of handwriting or digital literacy.
and attest to why the growth of this
It is a connected way of learning that is
capability is critical to the life and
richer, higher order and more diverse,
education of the world’s young, from
which can amplify all non-digital
birth onwards.
learning interactions.
Over the last 20-plus years, but
connected families grow, mature,
has largely unwittingly adapted ways to
develop their cognitive, inter and
accommodate the digital revolution and
intrapersonal abilities, become sexually
naturally evolved a mode of learning with
aware, build relationships, socially
digital technology, from birth onwards
network, operate at a higher order of
(Lee & Broadie, 2018). It is the state
thinking and continually attune their
of being digital. It is already core to
ways to the evolving technology, so
the young’s learning outside schools
will they develop their own form of
and on trend to grow in importance as
being digital – and will continue doing
digital technologies evolve, become
so, in subtly different ways, at the
increasingly sophisticated and powerful,
various stages of life.
and as digital ecosystems underpin virtually all areas of learning. It is far more than digital
Being digital as a low-caste child in Mumbai, a Masai herder’s boy, a seven-year-old girl in Riyadh,
proficiency. While dependent on that
a 10-year-old in outback Australia,
proficiency, it is a mindset, a mode of
an Inuit teen or a 16-year-old in
thinking, an expression of values, a set
Vancouver, Seoul, Sao Paulo or
of ever-rising expectations, an ability
Edinburgh, will in many ways be
to draw on many connected elements,
different. But that said, all those young
a way of learning and understanding
people will also have many common
how to learn, a taking charge of one’s
attributes, not least is being digitally
own learning, being able to network, to
connected and able to take charge
accommodate accelerating change, to
of their lifelong learning with digital
continually grow the capabilities and
technologies – albeit in their respective
to use them 24/7/365, lifelong (Lee &
cultures – outside the classroom.
Broadie, 2018). It is a suite of linked attributes
12 | EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS
As children within digitally
particularly the last 10, society worldwide
The global variability, the continual evolution and the individualised and
that will naturally evolve in harmony
highly integrated nature of being
with the evolving digital technologies,
digital should quash any moves by
technological practices and changing
education authorities to try and assess
educationtechnologysolutions.com.au
educationtechnologysolutions.com.au
EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS | 13
| INTERACTIVE LEARNING
the capability, and particularly to try to
is on the basics and testing the
of a wider contemporary education.
Mal Lee is a former director of
compare student attainment nationally
young’s ability to speak has rarely been
The latter we will tackle in a follow-
schools, secondary college principal,
and internationally. But let us be clear
formally assessed. The development
up article.
technology company director and now
and affirm that the billion-plus digitally
has been left to the family.
connected young have never had need
The big difference between the
With the advantage of hindsight
author and educational consultant. He
and historical analysis (Lee & Broadie,
has written extensively on the impact
for their being digital to be formally
two vital capabilities is that while the
2018), there might be value in pursuing
of technology and the evolution
assessed (Lee & Broadie, 2018) and
importance of speaking has been
the reading example further, accepting
of schooling.
that it would be educationally invalid,
understood for literally thousands of
that with being digital the die will be
inappropriate and unnecessary to
years, the educational centrality of
largely cast by the age of three, that
experience helping schools get the
do so.
being digital is a long way from being
the young of the world will lifelong
maximum impact on learning from
fully appreciated by most in authority.
employ in their use of and learning
technology. He is the Naace Lead for
with digital technologies the suite of
the 3rd Millennium Learning Award.
Rather, let us recognise what being digital is and appreciate that in many
Most governments and schools
Roger Broadie has wide
respects it mirrors the development,
worldwide have tinkered with aspects
attributes associated with being digital
In his 30-plus years of working
importance and the way schools
of learning with the digital over the last
– regardless of what government
at the forefront of technology in
handle children’s ability to speak.
20 to 30 years. They have focused on
or schools might desire – and leave
education, he has worked with a huge
They both grow naturally from birth
some of the parts and never the totality
the core digitally based education to
range of leading schools, education
onwards, if not earlier. Both likely build
of being digital. They have toyed with
the families.
organisations and policymakers in the
on inherent capabilities. With speech,
programming, web design, learning
It is a radical thought, with
those inherent capabilities have been
to use Office, cybersafety and more
immense implications, but there is
obvious for thousands of years. Being
recently coding, but only ever within
much to be said for formal education
digital draws extensively, particularly
the school walls, always deciding
complementing and adding value to the
with the very young, upon what has
which aspects of being digital are
work of digitally connected families,
been for centuries a largely dormant
appropriate to be taught and assessed
and ceasing to senselessly compete
visual intelligence (Strom & Strom,
– and which should not.
with families in growing the young’s
2009) that was most obviously brought
It is difficult to find schools that
being digital.
into play from 2007 and the release
have naturally grown Negroponte’s
of various touchscreen technologies.
concept of being digital. It is similarly
Conclusion
While employed increasingly from the
difficult to find schools or education
At this point in history, ask any digitally
90s, the visual controls of the iPhone
authorities who recognise being digital
aware parent or grandparent what they
were a game changer, allowing all the
is a state of mind, with immediate
understand by being digital and they
young and not just teens to readily use
access to an integrated suite of digitally
will likely quickly grasp the concept,
and learn with the technology (Lee &
based capabilities, coupled with the
but initially only at a rudimentary
Broadie, 2018).
facility to use any of the capabilities
level. In all likelihood, only when
and the understanding of how to learn
prompted will they appreciate the
suddenly made it simple for those
when desired 24/7/365. They seem
many linked universal elements and
in the first year of life to mimic their
not to have grasped that the suite has
their significance.
parents and siblings use of the
evolved naturally, been individually
technology and, by the age of three,
shaped and cannot – like the facility to
up the reality that they – like the other
to largely establish the approach to
speak – be validly measured.
3.65 billion digitally connected people
The visual cues on the touchscreen
The same folk will likely also pick
They most assuredly have not
of all ages – are also being digital.
would use throughout their lives. By the
formally recognised in their teaching,
While the strength will vary, let us
age of three, most children born into
assessment or resourcing the young’s
remember there will be 70-year-olds
digitally connected families will have
being digital outside the school
who have played a lead role in using
normalised the 24/7/365 use of digital
walls, or the central role the digitally
and learning with digital technology
technology, to the extent its use is so
connected families of the world have
since the 1970s who, in their thinking
natural as to be invisible.
played over the last 20-plus years
and actions, have long been digital.
learning with digital technology they
Both are of critical educational
(Lee & Broadie, 2018) in facilitating
The new but largely unrecognised
importance in a digital economy and
and supporting the growth of
reality is that, in the 20-plus years
need to underpin all learning. Tellingly,
that development.
since Negroponte postulated being
both have been naturally grown by the
It is time this critical capability is
digital, the world’s digitally connected
family, with government, pre-schools
seen, understood and accorded the
and schools playing a limited or no
kind of recognition given the ability
part, except with children who have
to speak, and the educational, social,
difficulties. Tellingly – but invariably
economic and logistical implications
admin@interactivemediasolutions.
forgotten – in an era where the focus
of being digital addressed as part
com.au
14 | EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS
peoples have become so. n
UK and Europe.
It is already core to the young’s learning outside schools and on trend to grow in importance as digital technologies evolve, become increasingly sophisticated and powerful, and as digital ecosystems underpin virtually all areas of learning.
For a full list of references, email
educationtechnologysolutions.com.au
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Source: edweek.org, Oct 2016
| FEATURE
IS OUR EDUCATION INTELLIGENT ENOUGH? BY JORDAN CULLIS
16 | EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS
educationtechnologysolutions.com.au
The Science, Technology, Engineering
Infosys, 45 percent of Australian
been raging in Australia for some years
leaders surveyed stated that they will
now and there is wide recognition
hire new employees with different
that too few graduates are joining the
skill sets able to fully harness
ranks of data science, analysis and
AI technology.
high mathematics. A battle is looming,
educationtechnologysolutions.com.au
According to a recent report by
and Mathematics (STEM) debate has
However, ironic as it seems,
one which will seek to reach out to
employers can actually get help
the relatively small pool of skilled
finding the right employees – from
and educated professionals to snare
the very industry that needs them. In
them for a range of infotech positions,
short, an employer can get AI to help
and strong artificial intelligence (AI)
them find AI people. The Textio.com
competencies will rank very high in
website offers you the opportunity
the search. The struggle will be tough.
to read your job advertisement
We know that we already educate too
so as to make suggestions for
few people in the traditionally ‘heavy’
linguistic improvements so that the
disciplines like mathematics and
advertisement better hits the targeted
software, and there is already strain
audience. For example, it suggests that
upon an organisation looking to recruit
in order to make a job advertisement
for tasks related to AI.
better targeted towards women, one
EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS | 17
| FEATURE
This does, however, raise another
should change the phrase ‘challenging
by KPMG, AI and machine learning
millions were required to sustain
research’ to ‘meaningful research’,
saw a massive $4.1B in investment
growth and fulfil projected demand.
interesting conundrum; from an
while ‘manage research team’ is
in Australia in Q4 2017, compared to
Bloomberg reports that there are only
education standpoint, how do we
proposed to change to ‘lead research
$3.1B in Q3 of 2017.
22,000 PhD-educated researchers
equip our future teachers to educate
working on AI in the world, of whom
people on subjects that have not even
3,000 are currently between jobs.
been invented yet? The AI wave is
team’ if the target group is male
The founder of Wired Magazine,
candidates. The site has analysed
Kevin Kelly, describes it quite simply
10 million job listings, and its user
when he predicts that the business
group gives insight into the success
The question is, are we actually
self-perpetuating and will continue to
model in the next 10,000 startups will
looking at the wrong problem? Should
give rise to new ways of thinking and
rate of these job ads. This data, when
be “Take X add AI”. Demand for AI
all programs not have compulsory
performing at our jobs, as well as a
combined with a portion of the deep
competencies will explode worldwide.
courses in AI? Imagine that 60 years
host of new technologies.
neural network, allows decision makers
It seems that this lack of educated,
ago we suggested that everyone had
Nicola Herringer was a senior and
to support other linguistic stakes. It
skilled professionals is not isolated to
computing as a compulsory subject – it
fundamental part of the 3P Learning
is smart.
Australia – far from it. The front page
would probably have been met with
team responsible for the globally
of China Daily on March 9 shows a
mockery and laughter. But today we
recognised Mathletics platform, and
also seen in the number of startup
robot and the heading reads “Battle for
cannot imagine it differently and that is
is now co-founder at STEAM and
companies entering the space. By
talent” followed by the text “Demand
how it will go with AI – it will bring about
maker education learning platform
2016, 26.2 percent of all startup
in artificial intelligence sector outstrips
radical changes just as computers have
Maker Sense. She suggests, “To cope
companies in the US were AI
the number of graduates with relevant
done. If you want to be convinced of
with future roles which we cannot
companies; in China, that was 23.7
skills.” A recent report from Tencent
this, I can recommend the book The
yet see, it is imperative to change
percent, while Europe was 15.1
declared that there were only 300,000
Inevitable by Kevin Kelly, or indeed Tony
the way we look at educating people.
percent. According to figures posted
skilled AI workers in the world, but
Wagner’s Creating Innovators.
We need to shift the paradigm from
Yes, AI is the new black – this is
18 | EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS
educationtechnologysolutions.com.au
can envision and potentially architect
Therefore, it is the task of the
complete solutions, with the attendant
software people to demystify AI and
understanding of a broad palette of
develop tools that make it easier
technologies and the ability to identify
for all to understand and work with
talent, build teams, delegate, plan,
this newest of sciences, honing in
assess risk, execute, test and deploy
on deep learning and new uses for
those solutions. In other words, they
analytics. One of the first bids for
will be creative problem solvers who
this is IBM’s PowerAI, a software
are also technical, but not solely
platform that makes deep learning,
informed by rote learning.”
machine learning and AI more
AI is clearly a future competence
accessible and efficient. In any case,
that will shortly become indispensable.
it certainly looks easy enough when
Job opportunities now and in the future
14-year-old Tanmay Bakshi, among
can be divided into four categories:
others, has partnered with IBM
1. Job functions that human beings
Watson on AI-based projects, talking
can do, but robots can do even
about how he went from making
better, such as driving a truck.
code to trying to solve problems
2. Job functions that humans cannot
with his AI/deep learning-based and
perform but robots can; for
super cool applications, which help
example, fabricate a CPU.
communicate with disabled citizens who otherwise cannot communicate
instructing them on how to simply
group will constitute the majority of the
use a tool – whether it is a machine,
population – and will, by contrast, be
3. Job functions that humans did
design technique or software platform
told what to do by computers and the
not realise they could perform,
normally through speech or
– and move towards a position where
aforementioned systems.
such as the development of
gesticulation. This is just one
game concepts.
example among many, but one which
we are educating them on how to
“Now, that would lead many to
actually think for themselves in an
assume that everyone needs to learn
analytical sense, problem solve and
how to program, so that they can write
beings can perform (so far as at
be empowered to find solutions
machine instruction sets (aka ‘code’).
least), such as ballet dancing.
using existing resources as well as
Code will unquestionably become a
While many job functions will be
near future, many more AI-competent
conceptualising their own devices and
Lingua Franca in the future, with some
replaced by robots as AI, deep
software people need to be hatched
mechanisms.”
level of code/systems understanding
learning, machine intelligence and
in the education environment. This
required to open professional doors,
so on are becoming more and more
also applies to all other education
Roger Sommers of Navigating21 goes
much the way English is today within
widely used, do not think that the
as AI becomes a regular part of our
further, stating, “In the near future,
engineering and the tech sector.
so-called hot hands – in other words,
working methods. So, a strong call to
the human population will be divided
However, those with increased odds of
we poor mortals – are being taken
the educators: most of what we will
into two fundamental groups. One
actually thriving in the 21st century will
over and replaced. On the contrary,
think is cool and necessary by 2050
group will be comprised of a rather
absolutely NOT be just assembly line
they get time to perform other valuable
has not been invented yet. n
small cohort that will tell computers,
code-cutters or programmers, capable
tasks within an organisation; more
automated systems and associated
of absorbing the latest JavaScript
time to focus on higher functions such
software and hardware-mediated
libraries or lightweight front-end
as planning, business improvement
admin@interactivemediasolutions.
technologies what to do, and the other
framework – they will be those who
and auditing.
com.au
Futurist and technology evangelist
educationtechnologysolutions.com.au
4. Job functions that only human
perhaps gives us a small glimpse into the future. The point is that today, and in the
For a full list of references, email
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THE BEST MUSIC FOR STUDY? Boost Productivity With These Proven Tips And Listens BY DAN ANDERSON
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Something that has always been quite
listening to tunes while they work, there are quite a few benefits to the process.
Does Studying with Music Work or Boost Productivity?
genres of music as the studies become
fascinating is the fact that music is a universal language. No matter where
However, it should also be remembered
Whether a student or a professional,
section, we look at music as a whole to
we are from or what language we
that it is not a process that will work
you are likely to be studying something
determine if the process really works.
speak, music is something we can all
for everyone.
– either for upcoming exams or an
understand at its core.
Interestingly, there are some types
more popular and widespread. In this
The University of Wales undertook
important meeting at work. In many
a study in 2011 to see how well
of music that will work better than
ways, we never stop studying or
students were able to complete
they are trying to focus and, similarly,
others when boosting productivity, so it
learning and, if anything, this makes
homework while there was background
it is often used by students that are
might be worth adjusting your playlist
the concept of whether listening to
sound or music. The students were
looking for a way to study effectively.
accordingly – something that we will
music while studying or working an
given one of five different environments
Personally, I always like to have
explore in more detail later on. So,
even more important one.
to work in – a silent one, steady
background noise while I am working,
what is the best music for studying?
Many people use music when
and it was the same when I studied at
In this article, we take an in-depth
For years, the Mozart Effect and
state speech one (a single word/
music while studying went hand in
number being repeated), a changing
university. Sometimes it was the TV,
look at the tunes that are best for
hand (a theory that we explore in
state speech one (changing words/
other times my playlist, but it worked
boosting your productivity, as well as
detail in the next section) and, over
numbers), a liked music one and a
well for me. For those who enjoy
some of our recommended listens.
time, it has broadened to feature new
disliked music one.
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conditions. They also enjoyed the
music instead of background noise
that you do not want your music to
in the silent and steady speech
experience a lot more. The test results
actually got better results in tests, so
be too upbeat, but you also do not
environments performed better on the
were also found to vary in the last
there are definitely benefits to listening
want it to be monotone – the latter will
test that came after their homework,
three environments, which shows
to music while you are trying to revise.
leave you feeling drowsy and entirely
while those in the other three
that results can depend on individual
You do have to be careful about
unmotivated. What this moderate level
environments (changing state speech,
people and their preferences as
what kind of music you are listening to,
will also do is appeal to the pleasure
liked music and disliked music) all
opposed to solely on the environment
as if you are playing the wrong kind it
receptors in your brain, linking back
performed worse. However, between the
in which they study.
could have a negative impact on your
to the previous point made about the
productivity and performance. Music
way in which music can improve your mood and happiness.
The results found that the students
latter three, there were no differences
There is also a difference between
in the test results – just that they
background music and background
can influence your mood and the
performed worse than the former two.
noise. If you are studying somewhere
way you think, so you should ensure
like a library, you are going to be
that you listen to tunes that leave you
ground that you should consider
fact that those who were listening to
disturbed by people coughing,
feeling good about yourself and have
exploring. Something that we will
the music they liked did not find the
sneezing, or just chatting quietly with
good vibes.
explore later on in this article is the
process to be any more distracting
each other. There are studies that have
It should also contain a moderate
ways in which music can hinder your
than if they were to work in quiet
shown those who listen to background
amount of syncopation, which means
ability to study, and before you move
What is interesting, however, is the
22 | EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS
Funk music is an excellent middle-
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onto that it is important to note one key
However, the study actually had
conditions. However, the effect
Similarly, there has been evidence
fact; your productivity will ultimately be
different results. Rauscher, Shaw
only lasted for 15 minutes before it
to show that any kind of music that
based on your personality and habits.
and Ky were the three researchers
wore off.
a person enjoys can improve spatial
For many, listening to music is an
behind the concept and they used
It was the media that claimed
reasoning abilities.
excellent option and the studies on it
young adults in their study on the
that Mozart would make your child
show that it really can work to increase
impact of Mozart on spatial-temporal
smarter, and it became popular to
productivity and memory retention. So,
reasoning. There were three groups
the point where some hospitals in
Can Classical Music Improve IQ?
if you have not tried listening to music
and each of them had a different
the USA started giving the parents of
This links in with the Mozart Effect.
while studying, now might be a great
pre-test experience. One group listened
newborn babies a Mozart CD when
Studies have shown that while listening
time to consider it.
to Mozart, one silence and the other
they were discharged.
to classical music does not have any
relaxation music that was designed to
What is the Mozart Effect? When the original study was published
lower blood pressure. After 10 minutes, they were given
It is interesting, because the
effect on your IQ, playing it might.
researchers never claimed that it
Learning how to play an instrument
increased intelligence, only spatial
can be incredibly beneficial for the
in Nature in 1993, people immediately
tests that asked them to visualise
reasoning and, since then, there have
mind and, according to cognitive
took the Mozart Effect as a child
spatial patterns and then manipulate
been numerous follow-up studies on
scientist Jessica Grahn, a year of
becoming smarter when they listened to
them over time. The students
whether or not the Mozart Effect is real
lessons and regular practice can
Mozart. It became the next bog craze,
who listened to Mozart ended up
– it has since been proved that Mozart
increase IQ by three points.
with everything from CDs and videos
performing better on the spatial
does not increase your intelligence
It does not matter what kind
to toys being made in order to get kids
reasoning test than those who were
and the boost to spatial reasoning is
of music you learn to play on your
listening to the famous composer.
subjected to the other two pre-test
only temporary.
instrument, although many of us do
24 | EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS
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three musical ones. The students
best is one that still remains. There
that listened to music without lyrics
are a number of music types that are
also benefitted from an improved
beneficial for study; in this section,
performance when compared to those
we take a look at each of them and
listening to music with lyrics. For those
the suppor ting evidence.
listening to songs they liked or disliked, there was no difference, and both had
Songs of Nature
poor results when compared with the
Looking at research under taken at
silent and non-lyrical environments.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute,
It can also depend on the kind of
it would appear that the sounds of
person you are, as someone who is
nature are able to boost both mood
easily distracted or has a hard time
and focus. It works by covering up
multitasking may find that music is more
intelligible speech in the same way
of a hindrance than a benefit to their
that white noise does, while also
study process. In addition to this, there
giving cognitive function a good
have also been cases where music that
boost, enhancing concentration
is very loud or agitating can make focus
levels and productivity. The sound
and comprehension a more difficult task.
of water is par ticularly effective in
There can also be negative results
this situation.
if you listen to the wrong kind of music when you study. Music and
Songs You Enjoy or Do
emotion have a deep connection, to
Not Care About
the point that it can alleviate things
Studies have shown that listening to
like depression and anxiety. As a
music you enjoy is able to make you
result, there are many forms of music
feel happier and lessen feelings of
(and songs) that can be incredibly
anxiety or dread. In a test carried out
distracting – especially those with
by the University of Miami, it was
lyrics. This is why classical music
discovered that those who listened
or acoustic tracks with no lyrics are
to music they enjoyed and were
often recommended.
given a personal choice were able to
Interestingly, there can be some
complete tasks more efficiently, and
difficulties when it comes to recalling
also came up with more ideas than
facts that have been memorised while
those who opted out of music.
listening to music. This is because
The Fu Jen Catholic University
the student cannot listen to anything
in Taiwan ran a study to determine
start out being taught classical tunes.
for everyone and, for those people,
while they are taking the exam,
the effect of listening to music that
There have been numerous studies
it is not the wisest choice to make.
and this can cause a delay in recall
you do not really care about while
over the past 25 years to see whether
There have been a few studies to
as well as confusion and possible
studying. This is different from
or not classical music is able to
demonstrate the potentially negative
inability to remember any of the
music that you do not like, as the
increase IQ and general intelligence.
effects of listening to music while you
memorised information.
songs played are ones that you
The results were that there was no difference in intelligence when the
are working or revising. One such study was carried out
If anything, these studies show that listening to music while studying is
are indifferent to – so neither like nor dislike.
groups were exposed to classical
by Perham and Currie, who assigned
not going to be an option for everyone,
The study found that the groups
music, other genres of music, or
students into one of four groups that
and there will be those that find it more
listening to music that they really like or
things like silence and rain sounds.
would listen to silence, music with
distracting or making no difference to
disliked actually led to higher levels of
Interestingly, however, there have been
lyrics they liked, music with lyrics they
their results. However, even if you feel
distraction than music that they had no
very few studies on the long-term
did not like, or music without lyrics
that music might not work for you after
feelings towards. Their concentration
effects of classical music on IQ, and
while they were revising. Afterwards,
reading this section, it is still worth trying
was not affected by it and they were
only the short-term effects have really
they were given a test on the subject,
out at least once while you are studying.
able to remain productive as well as
been examined.
while also noting if the environment had been distracting and predicting
Is Studying with Music Bad?
how well they had done.
retain the information they had learned.
What is the Best Music Genre for Study?
Song Without Lyrics
We have taken a look at a lot of
Lyrics can be quite distracting and
in this article, listening to music
in the silent environment performed
information and studies, but the
there have been studies to show
while studying is not going to work
60 percent better than those in the
question of which music genre is
this. However, this is only the case if
As we have said a number of times
educationtechnologysolutions.com.au
The results found that the students
EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS | 25
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the words are intelligible. Research
thoughts flowing without hindering your
to go, we have a few suggestions
To Conclude
from Cambridge Sound Management
brain’s ability to process information.
that you may want to add. Here are
There are pros and cons to
the top 10 songs that you should
listening to music while you study,
Concentration Music for Studying
consider putting on your playlist for
although much of it is down to
your next study session – you might
the kind of person you are and
Much like when studying in general,
just find that you are more focused
how easily distracted you can
if you are looking to concentrate, you
than ever.
become. For those who are able
intelligible speech causes 48 percent
should consider music without lyrics
1. The xx: Intro.
to multitask, listening to music
of office workers to be distracted and
as your first choice. This is so that
2. Sigur Ross: Takk.
can have a massively positive
the same could easily be applied to
the words in the song do not redirect
3. Deadmau5: Snowcone.
effect on spatial reasoning,
students. Lyric-less music is the best
your train of thought or take your mind
4. Mozart: Moonlight Sonata.
information retention and general
bet, but it does not have to be classical
off the task at hand. It does not have
5. B oards of Canada: Reach for
productivity – it really can boost
– it can range from acoustic guitars to
to be classical music either if that is
video game soundtracks.
not your thing; movie or video game
6. M83: Midnight City.
soundtracks actually work just as well.
7. Moods: Love is Real.
studying also varies and while this
has shown that it is not the general noise that causes distraction, but the lyrics if we understand or can pick out the words. The 2008 study discovered that
the Dead.
the studying process. The best kind of music for
8. Kygo: ID.
can partly depend on your own
and Volume
the sound of nature can help you to
9. Jerry Folk: Money.
preferences and personality, a lot
The tempo of the music that you are
reach that point in your mind where
10. A Tribe Called Quest:
of it is backed by science. Classical
listening to can have varying effects
you are entirely tranquil and able to
on the way your mind works and its
concentrate fully on your work. In
Looking for film and video game songs
are the top choices, because they
overall arousal. Canadian researchers
many ways, it is the same as using it
to help you get into the flow instead?
do not have intelligible words that
discovered that participants performed
for studying in general, and the sounds
You are in luck, as we have collected
may cause distraction. Similarly,
better on IQ tests while listening to
encourage a boost of dopamine (the
10 of those for you to try out as well.
choosing tracks with upbeat
upbeat tempo music. Further studies
neurotransmitter that makes us feel
See if these top picks help you reach
tempos could kick your creativity
in the USA have backed this, claiming
pleasure) to be released, improving
your peak when studying.
into gear.
that Baroque music was one of the
your mood and willingness to work.
1. T he Lord of the Rings: Sound of
Songs with a Specific Tempo
best to use for this exercise.
Similarly, music that captures
Again, this is down to personal
Electric Relaxation.
the Shire.
music and songs without lyrics
It is amazing to see how much of an impact music can have
preference and ability. Not everyone is
2. Skyrim: Dragonborn Theme.
on us and the way in which we
important factor to consider and one
able to concentrate while listening to
3. Grand Budapest Hotel: (all of it).
learn, and the fact that it can work
that you may not have before. It is true
music, and some prefer white noise or
4. Darksiders II: The Maker’s Theme.
differently for everyone makes
that studies in the past have found both
total silence. However, for those who
5. Pokemon: Pallet Town.
it that much more interesting.
medium and high levels of volume to
are able to perform both tasks at once,
6. W orld of Warcraft:
So, take our advice, put it into
be very beneficial and open the mind
these are the best tips to take for music
Stormwind Theme.
practice and make sure you add our
to abstract ways of thinking; high
and concentration.
7. Halo 2: Unforgotten.
recommended tracks to your study
8. World of Warcraft: Seasons of War.
playlist. n
Similarly, the noise level is also an
volumes can lead to distraction when trying to work or study. As a result, it
Our Top Tracks for Studying
9. Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End.
is important to keep the sound levels
While we are sure you have plenty of
10. H ow to Train Your Dragon:
moderate so as to keep your creative
tracks already loaded up and ready
26 | EDUCATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS
Test Drive.
Article republished courtesy of www.myaudiosound.co.uk
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ETSP.