During Rugby School Thailand’s accreditation in 2021 we were given a Beacon Status for excellence in our co-curricular activities. Providing a diverse array of activities feeds into our ethos (The Whole Person, The Whole Point) and gives our students opportunities to try new things, find new passions and broaden their outlook. In turn, this develops a love of learning, and contributes to academic success.
One of the many activities on offer this term is DJing with Mr. Carter. A passionate DJ in his own right, Mr Carter has brought his love of music to the classroom, transforming the way our students learn and engage with sound. While DJing may seem like all fun and games, it’s also a fantastic tool for developing a wide range of skills with educational benefits, including:
- Co-ordination: Beatmatching, transitioning between tracks, and manipulating effects require incredible hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills.
- Creativity: DJing is an art form! Students learn to express themselves through music selection, mixing styles, and creating unique soundscapes.
- Mindfulness: Focusing on the rhythm, anticipating the next beat, and blending tracks demands concentration and presence of mind, fostering mindfulness in a fun and engaging way.
- Social Awareness: Reading the room (or in this case, the classroom) and understanding how music affects others is a key skill for any DJ. Students learn to gauge the mood and create a shared experience.
- Technical Proficiency: Understanding the equipment, manipulating sound, and troubleshooting technical glitches builds valuable problem-solving skills and technical literacy.
- Music Appreciation: Exploring different genres, artists, and musical structures deepens students’ appreciation for music and its history.
- Confidence Building: Sharing their mixes and performing for their peers boosts students’ self-esteem and encourages them to take creative risks.
Activities like this provide a unique opportunity for our students to develop essential skills in a casual and entertaining environment, while nurturing the “whole person” development we value so highly.
