iPods in Study Hall

    Imagine a typical study hall. There are some students studying, others chatting. There is also a large variety of other noises such as students coming and going, the rustle of papers, the muffled buzz of the lights, and the eerie tick of the clock reminding you of the time that’s slowing by. With all these distractions, how are we able to focus? I’m not sure, but I do know that music would cancel out all these background noises. Even though iPods are thought to be a distraction, could they actually be preventing distraction?
    Certified teacher Elona Hartjes said, “Listening to music helps improve productivity. Why? One reason is because music acts  like white noise in the background preventing students from noticing every other little noise that usually distracts them.”
    All students have different study methods. Some have to sit in complete silence, but for others, music does the trick. The only way to accomplish homework is to have music playing. That music could block out the possible distractions that occur in the classroom daily. Some students get distracted quite easily by things as little as a pencil dropping on the floor, the clicking of a pen, or the constant flipping of papers. “Noise” they’re used to listening to could block out all those distracting noises to accomplish more in one time period.
    An article written by Professor William Klemm in Psychology Today said, “Listening to music activates sound-to-meaning neurons in the brain, which jumpstarts other portions of the brain that allow for faster learning.” In other words, music triggers something in the brain that could possibly quicken the learning process. Along with blocking out distractions, music could also be helping you learn.
    There are a lot more things you can do on an iPod besides listen to music. I sort of understand where the teachers are coming from in this situation. I agree with them on the fact that there should be no iPods in class because of obvious chances of cheating or distracting other students. I think it’s different in study hall though. Study hall is a class period chosen by the student to be a “free” time during the school day. Yes, some students wish to actually study during study hall but most take it as a time to take break from the stressful school activities. Music helps that time become more productive in a sense that it keeps everyone occupied and helps those who are studying.
    “Listening to music helps improve productivity,” So why not? Study hall should be a free time for the students to sort of unwind and be comfortable. Having iPods in study hall would allow music listeners to focus and get more accomplished.