Researchers said students who are less stressed possibly perform better on tests.

Math teacher Tom Hakim at the Indianapolis Lighthouse College Preparatory Academy uses music and dances to ease the pressure some students may have in a learning environment, RTV6’s Kara Kenney reported.

“I always use the cha-cha slide to teach the students to slide the shape to the left or the right. They love dancing. I love dancing,” Hakim said.

Marian University professor Lori Desautels said at least 49 schools in central Indiana are using the educational neuroscience teaching method.

“Teachers and educators are beginning to recognize the relevance and the meaning behind how we can make these connections socially and emotionally,” Desautels said.

Marisah Staggs is a former student of Hakim and said the method made her anticipate learning.

"He would just make learning fun. Before we started class, he would play music and we would all dance to a song. We would just be ready and excited to learn,” Staggs said.

Her mother, Heather Staggs, said she’s noticed an improvement.

"She was even more excited than ever about learning. She would work ahead in her textbook because she was so excited about the material,” Heather Staggs said.

Researchers said the method also reduces stress for teachers.

Dozens of Hoosier teachers are currently training to use the new technique, and the neuroscience method is the focus of an educational conference at Marian University next week.