Can Music Support Calculation Skills A Pilot Study Using Electrophysiological Measures

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to electrophysiologically assess the effect of an individualized education program supported with musical activities on the success of primary school students with computational difficulties. A mixed-methods design consisting of qualitative and quantitative methods was employed as the research model. The research group consists of four students with mild special learning difficulties and learning difficulties in mathematics, among the students attending the third and fourth grades at a primary school in Kütahya city center. By examining the primary school mathematics curriculum, 12 mental processing gains were identified for addition and subtraction, one of the third-grade mental processing gains. An assessment form, training module, and math songs were prepared in line with these acquisitions. An assessment form was applied to the participants as a pre-test and post-test to determine the effect of the training module and math songs on the students’ success. Additionally, electroencephalogram (EEG) of the participants were recorded before and after the training module, and math songs were applied for 12 weeks. During the EEG recordings, 10 questions were asked to the participants that would enable them to make mental operations. The power densities of the EEG data were calculated using the Welch method in the MATLAB. To analyze the qualitative data of the research, descriptive analysis technique was used. As a result of the study, when the effects of the evaluation form of the participants’ mental processing skills were examined, it was seen that the training module and math songs positively affected the mental processing skills of the students. In addition, it has been shown that the prepared training module and math songs increase the success of the participants, supported by electrophysiological evaluations.