Music of Nature: Case Study of an Innovative Teaching Methodology

The main aim of this contribution is to report the results of a research project carried out at a lower secondary school. The project was focused on Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL). In particular, authors had the aim to investigate whether, through the use of a wearable biofeedback tool capable of converting the electrical variance on plants into musical notes, it is possible to qualitatively improve the pupils’ relationship with nature, increasing their connection to it and promoting the implementation of pro-environmental and inclusive behavior, as well as biophilic responses. The ex-ante/ex-post results were elaborated by comparing the answers given by participants, using validated questionnaires we administered to both the control group and the experimental group. Data were collected after a digitally and musically mediated intervention was applied with students. The intervention was designed not only for the students with Special Educational Needs (SEN), but for each student in the class who was able to participate in an active and personal way. Recent studies (Kollárová & Kačmárová, 2022) hypothesize that by mediating the experience of children with nature by artistic means, they will be more sensitive to the specific stimuli of natural environments, establishing a relationship with nature and feeling more attracted by it than before. Thus, music is configured as a channel of ecological literacy, in particular local musical practices and the sounds of nature (Shevock & Bates, 2019); furthermore, studies by Arbuthnott and Sutter (2019) about songwriting retreats held in a natural environment have shown an increase in connection with nature, as well as an improvement in emotional well-being and performance in a creative reasoning task. In a world in which disconnection with nature has become increasingly exacerbated, data (Adams & Beauchamp, 2019) suggest that the creation of music for children involves an interactivity with nature that provokes biophilic responses and this suggests that music, especially from the natural world, may constitute a connecting tool between human beings and the green world. Recent studies also show that making music outdoors, in rural landscapes, has positive effects on creativity, expressiveness and the desire to experiment. In addition, several authors agree that the bond with nature is formed as children (Guiney and Oberhauser, 2009; Barbiero et al., 2021) and that this can be developed through continuous engagement with nature and experiences that occur during childhood.