Mike Manthei and Steve N. Kelly, professors of the University of Nebraska at Omaha, studied the effects of music on math test scores by playing background music as students solved math problems. They did not find any differences in the ability of the students to perform these math assignments. However, music may help students think better when performing other classroom tasks. History teachers sometimes have students listen to music from a particular time period related to the subject matter.
One discovery by professors Frances H. Rauscher, Gordon Shaw and Katherine N. Ky found that students listening to Mozart experienced an improvement in spatial learning, which is learning related to one's environment and its orientation. Listening to a melody while learning a particular piece of information can make the information more memorable because the learner associates the music with the lesson. However, the music must be simple and easy to remember.
Music has a more positive affect on assignments involving paper and pencil than on other assignments, especially with music that students typically listen to when studying or completing homework. For example, students might listen to pop music when studying, but won't likely listen to soap opera music.
Background music helps some students learn, while causing other students to become distracted. Research conducted by Michael T. Henderson, professor at the University of Wisconsin, found that students benefited from, or were distracted by, music based on the school subject, with some subjects becoming easier and other subjects becoming harder. Music often produces complex sounds, synthesizing various instruments and vocals together. This can distract some students by causing them to pay attention to the nuances of the melodies. Students tend to struggle paying attention when music gets too loud.
Music can help learning when other noises are distracting. The music can help cover up the distracting noises. One study showed that those students with behavioral problems benefited from music, staying on task more often and engaging in fewer attention-seeking behaviors.
Music activates many brain areas. Lab rats perform better in mazes when they listen to music than when they have silence or white noise. Music should be age-appropriate and should be enjoyable for the students. Then, there is a chance the music will arouse the student's interests. Other forms of stimulus, such as coffee and candy, also have the same effect.