Audio Memory’s
Learning Songs
by Mitchell Levine
The first thing you see when
you log on to Audio Memory’s
site is their slogan: “you never forget what you
sing!” That’s not just a catchy branding
line: solid research into neurological mechanisms used
in learning all confirm that comprehension, retention,
and decoding fluency are all beneficially impacted not
only by auditory stimulation, but music as well. Of course,
anyone like myself that needs to sing a familiar tune
to recall what letter comes after “v” in
the alphabet is already aware of this phenomenon, but
it’s nice to know that there’s a foundation
of undeniable scientific fact behind it.
With a potential age group
conceivably up to young adult, but particularly for
young learners, Audio Memory produces a line of tapes,
CDs, and sing-along workbooks to help both classroom
teachers and homeschooling parents take advantage of
these effects. The products range in content area from
grammar and history, to state capitals and the Bible,
and consist of a series of songs, exercises, and written
work, intended to, in the publisher’s
words, “use all avenues of the brain” to
create mastery. For example, the company’s flagship
product, Grammar Songs, teaches students all parts of
speech in English grammar, punctuation, and a large number
of Greek and Latin root with sixteen songs and a 72-page
workbook.
The music is professionally
recorded and, while the songs may never chart on Billboard,
they’re completely
appropriate for both young learners and classroom instruction.
While listening to the Geography Songs and State Capitals
collections, I was reminded several times of the Schoolhouse
Rock songs of 70’s Saturday morning television
fame like “Conjunction Junction” and “I’m
Only a Bill.” As a testament to the effectiveness
of the medium, the reader should note that it may well
be the case that many people in their 30s only know the
difference between adjectives and adverbs because of
the latter.
All in all, I can say that
Audio Memory’s products
are well-made, educational, and fun—a rare combination
of factors that can only mean increased understanding
for students, and an excellent change of pace for teachers
and parents. Interested educators can find more information,
as well as online audio samples, at the company’s
site, www.audiomemory.com,
or by dialing their toll-free number 1-877-365-SING.#
