Music technology keeps kids in the classroom

A cross-European project has found that the use of computer music technologies can motivate young people who might otherwise leave school without the basic skills to gain employment. The E-Motion project, which involved partners in the UK, Romania, Italy and Spain, conducted a pilot study in schools in three different countries in the European Union, using methods devised by the Interdisciplinary Centre for Computer Music Research (ICCMR), University of Plymouth. The aims of the study were to tackle the school drop out rate and improve key competences so that school leavers would be less at risk of social exclusion. Project co-ordinator of the Plymouth team and Professor on Computer Music, Eduardo Miranda, said: " Music embodies examples of concepts that teachers can use in class. Electronic music was used as a way of engaging young people and introducing them to concepts which could then be used to teach other subjects such as maths and science." Students attended after school music sessions, which allowed them to explore the electronic studio equipment and to devise their own compositions. These sessions were led by music teachers using music technology tools identified by the University Plymouth. Plymouth team member, Alexis Kirke, added: "A significant proportion of these pupils had been, or were in danger of being, excluded from mainstream education.