Larry Smith wrote:

> Even music intended to provoke a powerful emotional response sometimes
> fails because we get callused listening to the commercial stuff.

On Monday, this week, I had an important series/parallel test scheduled
for my college students.  About 20% of them have serious algebra
problems.  Although I have gone over and over the solution methods of
series/parallel circuits, there are always that 20% who just don't get
it.  And part of the reason for this, I think, is their low algebra
skills.

So, on the weekend I got this bright idea to play some Bach at the
beginning of class in order to loosen up their brain cells.  We all heard
about the study that seemed to indicate that children who are exposed to
Bach or Mozart do better at math.

I put together a stereo cart which I rolled into class Monday morning.
To the questioning looks of the students, I told them I would play only 3
minutes of a Bach Sinfonia (a quite lively piece which, in my mind, would
shake up their neurons).  I explained my reasoning.  I said, "I want to
give you all the best advantage I can so you will do well on this test.
I know some of you think your professor is a little nuts, but I can take
the flack."

I played the three minutes of Bach.  At first the students listened to
the soaring, wonderful music.  Then little by little they began talking
to each other, taking advantage of the three minute break in the lecture
time.  My goal was to get the music into the room and not try to do any
controlling, so their talking was okay with me.

When the piece ended, I shut off the stereo, and then handed out the test
and waited.  At the end of the period, when the tests came back I
realized, to my horror, that the entire class was doing worse than they
ever did -- even the good students screwed up.  Not all, but most.

My wonderful intentions failed.  But I am not discouraged.  I would like
to wheel that cart into class at each lecture and play 3 minutes of Bach
or Mozart.  Perhaps on an ongoing basis it might work.  Then again,
perhaps I should leave well-enough alone.

Andy LaTorre