HIGHLAND, Ark. (KAIT) – An eighth-grade social studies teacher at Highland Middle School has discovered a unique way to use artificial intelligence to create educational songs to help students learn about Arkansas history.
John Perry Mize said he has used musical tools to help students in the past, but he hasn’t found much that deals with Arkansas history.
“I’ve been looking up all kinds of information about Arkansas on the internet, so I thought, ‘Why not use AI to make something of my own?'” Mize said.
The teacher writes the lyrics and the AI creates the music.
Mize uses an AI music generator to create songs based on topics discussed in class. He writes the lyrics, verses, and choruses and makes sure the music fits the style he wants to convey. AI creates and processes musical elements.
We also ensure that the lyrics adhere to curriculum standards and contain accurate information.
“I try to be very accurate with my prompts. I add files as well as documents so you know you’re getting from accurate information. I always proofread everything,” Mize said.
Students respond positively to music learning
Eighth-grader Ella Drumheller said this approach works well for her generation.
“As our generation, we really like listening to music. It’s really great because we were always listening to these songs that were already feeding information into our brains in new ways. And when he started making these songs, it was up to our speed and what we listen to,” Drumheller said.
Mize said the tool helps students engage and retain information in a unique way.
“I heard kids playing songs on their Chromebooks, I heard them reciting parts of choruses in the hallways, and some students got inspired and started writing poems and songs,” Mize said.
Songs help with test retention
Drumheller said the song became a memorable learning tool.
“I heard it so often that I memorized it and would sing it along in class and in the hallways. So during the test, every time I saw a question, I started singing it in my head and thought, ‘Oh yeah, that’s what he said,'” Drumheller said.
This approach has inspired students like Drumheller to write their own songs and poems to help other students.
“I’ve always loved writing,” Drumheller said. “For me, being able to write something and him saying, ‘This is really nice, Ella,’ or ‘I think the other kids would enjoy it,’ that gave me confidence and made me want to be able to help other students.”
Mize said that the AI tools are not intended to replace traditional education, but to complement his activities and enable creativity. He said this could be a useful tool throughout the state and country.
Mize has posted her songs on Spotify and Apple Music, and hopes other teachers can use them as a resource.
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