Understanding Relationship Between Indian Music and Mathematics: Impact on Teacher Practices and Student Learning

• In Event: 68.060 - Roundtable Session 29
  In Roundtable Session: 68.060-15 - Diverse Perspectives on Teachers and Teaching

Abstract

There exists a connection between music and math. Since there are skills that overlap in music and math, music could be a great avenue to teach children mathematics. The seven notes in Indian music have their counterparts in western music along with distribution of beats. Studies indicated that the students who studied rhythm had the greatest gains in math achievement. The present study examined how 30 Indian students, their Guru, teachers and parents understand ways that Indian Classical music enhanced math learning. All the children loved Indian music however, only some said they liked math. Parents confirmed that their test scores in math either increased or remained constant. Further, parents believed that music helped their children learn difficult concepts.

Authors

• Smita Guha, Saint John's University

• Ajoy Chakrabarty, Shrutinandan