Audio Functionality
Use of Music
Must-haves
Music, if used at all, should be significantly lower volume than a speaker’s volume. Conflicting audio often confuses and distracts learners. To ensure that music does not negatively impact learners, especially those with hearing difficulties, make sure your music is –18 to –20db lower than your main speaking audio.
Nice-to-haves
If not necessary, and not related to the educational material, omit music that contains words if it is to appear under a speaker. This is often unnecessarily distracting.
Relevant Scenarios for this functionality
Jonah
Jonah has NLVD (Non-Verbal Learning Disorder), and music distracts him from listening to speakers
Doua
Doua is a musician so she enjoys music but can find it distracting at times. She doesn’t mind the addition of music and thinks it can be a great touch as long as it is not too loud, making it hard to focus. She enjoys take her MOOC courses at coffee shops because of the hints of music, but she strategically dines outside to study because the music is lower.