Maryann Diedwardo

Music Transforms the College English Classroom Maryann Diedwardo

In 2004, statistical results of my case study research suggest that pairing music and linguistic intelligences in the college classroom improves students' grades and abilities to compose theses statements for research papers in courses that emphasize reading and writing skills (DiEdwardo 2004). Grounded in educational theories as well as offering practical applications, pairing two intelligences advances student potential. Based on Multiple Intelligence Theory or MI Theory (Gardner 1993) and participation as precedent to learning (Bateson 1975), pairing music with linguistic activities suggests that integrating music into college linguistic classrooms and virtual classrooms enables students to learn to read and write. Listening to instrumental music as well as songs with lyrics before and during lectures, presentations, and virtual lecture asynchronous lessons offers practical solutions to teachers.