Parents' Guide to Studytracks

Setting dry content to a catchy tune isn't a new idea (Schoolhouse Rock, anyone?), and these hip-hop beats are certainly appealing, but this study approach isn't likely to transform how kids learn. While the music is modern and sounds like something produced recently (think Hamilton), the notes aren't written with the same focus on approachable language or with a song-like structure. Tracks more often feature a person reading old-fashioned lecture notes over a hip-hop soundtrack. The tracks might be more effective if they were structured more like songs, with a repeated section reiterating high-level points like a refrain and additional information offered in between like a series of verses. Some kids might find the soundtrack engaging enough to enable them to focus on the lecture notes, but others may feel more like they're being tricked into listening to familiar, dull content that's just been repackaged. Plus, it's hard to know how these pre-packaged sections will match up with the units students cover in class. The potential rewards from vendors like Amazon are surprising too; those points can feel both like progress tracking but also like a bribe. Overall, students might study with this app, but they might get more value out of actively transforming their notes and textbooks into their own songs or videos.