What is MuzCREATE? Did you ever notice that students struggle with learning yet know the words to their favorite songs? Music lights up the brain! Muzology, an education company, has used the power of music to help students excel at math. Muzology develops music-based learning solutions. Muzology’s current platform contains a series of math music videos developed by a team of hit songwriters, cognitive psychologists, and math specialists. Each video corresponds to two to four weeks of math curriculum. With MuzCreate, a new technology developed by Muzology, students create their own math songs. To use MuzCreate, students first select a song from a pre-populated library of music from contemporary artists. Students rewrite the lyrics of their selected song to explain the math topic. MuzCreate guides students through this creation process. When students are ready, they enter “record mode” and sing, rap, or talk their lyrics over an instrumental version of the song.

What is the purpose of the study? The study will examine how the use of MuzCreate affects math achievement among students in grades 5 to 8.

Who is doing the study? The study is being performed by the RAND Corporation, a non-profit, non-partisan research organization with experience using rigorous scientific research to help inform education policies and practices.

What will happen? The study will take place over the course of one math unit. At least 10 middle school math teachers, all within the same grade level, will participate. All teachers who agree to participate will randomly have their eligible classes divided into two groups. Half the classes will use MuzCREATE during one unit of mathematics instruction. Students will create three music videos over the course of the unit. The other half will continue with instruction as usual without using MuzCREATE; once the study unit is completed, all students will have access to MuzCREATE.

Teachers will administer a brief (15-20 minute) assessment to all students twice—once at the beginning of the study period, before any students have used MuzCREATE, and once after the unit is complete.

When will the study take place? The study will take place over the course of one math unit.

How will the school be compensated for participation? Teachers will be compensated up to $100 for participating in research activities. After the study, MuzCREATE will be freely available to all classes participating in the study for one school year.

How can I find out more? If you have any questions about the study or would like to enroll, please email Grace Falgoust (falgoust@rand.org).