Hip-hop is not a novelty in classrooms. It was over a decade ago when scholars started exploring the effectiveness and impact of hip hop on their students’ learning. Seeing how rap is one of the most popular music genres in the world, especially among the youth, educators got the idea to use this to connect with their students and boost their teaching.
So, how can hip-hop help a student get their degree? If used properly in college or university, this music genre can help any student excel in their learning. In this article, we’ll discuss how it can boost the learning of students.
Hip Hop in the Classroom
Hip hop therapy is used to relieve the stress that students are facing nowadays. Thanks to such innovative approaches in education, students can tackle their academic tasks more effectively. After a fun hip hop class, they can write an essay much faster, be more focused on the task in hand, and get a higher grade as a result. However, even if hip hop doesn’t help you at some point, you can check special academic websites for students. In particular, you can read definition essay examples featured on those online platforms. This will help you to get more inspired for completing your writing assignment.
Hip hop education is a popular movement in the world of education because of its cultural relevancy and its impact on the students. It promotes an increased political and social awareness, all while entertaining students and helping them relax. With this in the curriculum, students can become more relaxed, focused, and learn important skills we’ll discuss below.
The Story of the Hip Hop Genre
To effectively use hip hop in a classroom, one must understand what this genre is all about. Hip-hop is a culture, one that has impacted people across the group. Its popularity is most prominent in marginalized groups. Generally speaking, hip hop can be defined through MCing, graffiti, DJing, and break dancing. It also teaches its listeners to know themselves, their values, emotions, and abilities.
Knowing this, it’s no wonder that hip hop is used in academic circles. One study showed that it can help girls of color in developing their identity in science. When this approach was used in teaching, girls shared their positive experiences and experienced more comfort with engaging in the field.
Today, over 300 colleges and universities offer courses in hip hop. In Arizona, the University of Arizona even offers a minor in Hip Hop and in the McNally Smith College, students can obtain a diploma in the subject.
How Hip Hop Impacts Students Who Study for a Degree
Hip hop included in the college curriculum can have a positive impact on learning. Here are the perks this can bring to one’s education:
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Increased Engagement and Focus
Hip hop is the perfect therapy, a stress relief for busy students. Students who study at college have a lot to learn, no matter what study field was chosen. Thanks to hip hop, students can get a much needed stress relief. This helps them become more engaged in their studies, better focused, and retain information more easily.
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Better Relationships
Young people love hip hop. This is a big part of today’s youth culture. By using something students like as a medium to help their learning, educators can build stronger relationships with their students.
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Modeling Positive Attitudes
As we mentioned, hip hop teaches students to be more courageous, self-aware, and handle life’s difficulties in a better, clearer way. Using this in the classroom models positive attitudes and behaviors. It also teaches students to overcome their fears.
Wrapping Up
Hip-hop is now a popular movement in academic circles. Many young people in the world listen to rap these days. This makes hip hop pedagogy a smart move, a way to get to students more easily by talking about what interests them. As a result, many students will have a hip hop class in their academic journey. This helps them in many ways. It gives them a much-needed stress relief, inspires them, and allows them to better tackle their academic tasks.
© 2023, Seth "Digital Crates" Barmash. All rights reserved.
