Music: Effects on Junior High School Students’ Performance in Mathematics

Abstract

Mathematics is taught in isolation from other subjects and often lacks creative or artistic flair; hence, students often get bored and do not pay attention in class. This study ascertained the effects of background music on students’ achievement, habits of mind, test anxiety, and disposition. The instrument used were the researcher-made mathematics achievement test, test anxiety rating scale, and disposition rating scale which underwent validation through a panel of experts. The result showed that the pretest mean scores in mathematics achievement of all the three groups were “low.” The pretest mean scores in habits of mind of the three groups were “not developed.” The pretest mean scores in test anxiety of groups A and B were both “moderate” while group c was “high.” The pretest mean scores in disposition to music of groups A and c were both “partially liked” while group B was “liked.” As observed, all the background music used had an impact on the improvement of the students’ scores in mathematics. The results of the study served as bases for the development of music-enhanced mathematics program. Keywords - Mathematics Education, music, habits of mind, test anxiety, disposition, quasi-experimental design, Philippines