Writing & Reflection
Description: Writing and reflection are powerful tools that allow learners to connect new content with their own lived experiences. Because adult learners bring a rich and diverse background into the classroom, reflective writing becomes a way to honor that knowledge, encourage deeper thinking, and foster meaningful engagement with course concepts.
Ideas for how to apply to a music therapy classroom:
Discussions pertaining to the various approaches to practicing music therapy. Which approach do you like? Why? Which approach do you think is best? Why?
Personal semesterly journals documenting students’ experiences and deepening understanding of music therapy.
Resources:
Open ended questions
“WH” questions
PADLET: https://padlet.com/dashboard?filter=combined_recents&mobile_page=Collection
Cambridge Toolkit: https://libguides.cam.ac.uk/reflectivepracticetoolkit/whatisreflectivepractice
Handout: https://tunny-gopher-hbae.squarespace.com/s/Reflective-Writing-Handout-2.pdf
tools for teachers: https://reflection.ed.ac.uk/reflectors-toolkit/all-tools
Storytelling
Description: Storytelling is a teaching strategy where a story is used to structure learning in order to help individuals learn something. Personal stories, anecdotes, and narratives can be used to share and communicate knowledge, and engage learners.
Ideas for how to apply to a music therapy classroom:
Share personal stories about significant clincial experiences.
Students can share stories that are significant to topic. “Does anyone have a similar experience?”
Resources:
Padlet: https://padlet.com/dashboard?filter=combined_recents&mobile_page=Collection
Apps & Sites: https://www.commonsense.org/education/lists/apps-and-sites-for-storytelling
Narrative Stories
Madlibs
Personal Anecdotes
Games
Description: Games are fun and can be used in education to make learning more fun and engaging. Games offer a chance for praciticing and organizing course content, and can also offer quick feedback. Through the use of games, students may have imrpoved memory retention of course content and develop a deeper meaning of ideas. They take away the pressures of quizzes and tests by offering a fun, low-stakes way to learn in a hands-on, highly interactive way.
Ideas for how to apply to a music therapy classroom:
Jeopardy to remember and review important terminology, theories and theorists, order of certain therapuetic processes, and other pertinent information.
Guess who and/or headbanz game to remember and learn about important music therapy theorists.
Resources:
Jeopardy
Scattegories
Kahoot
Quizlet
Make your own (Who wants to be a millionare)
Family fued
Hand out: https://tunny-gopher-hbae.squarespace.com/s/Games-Handout-425.docx
Can adapt almost any board game
Music
Description: Music reaches all areas of the brain and fires millions of neurons, which helps enhance learning in a variety of ways, such as improving mood, increasing motivation, prepping the mind for learning, ennhancing focus, and increasing memory and recall of information.
Ideas for how to apply to a music therapy classroom:
Create a song to learn and remember the order of something (SOAP notes, therpuetic process, etc.)
Students can create a song that expresses their personal definition and understanding of what music therapy is and what is means to them.
Resources:
Songs that teach something (States, periodic table, Latin conjugations, etc)
music for studying
music for opening and closing of class
music for timing breaks
Article: https://musiconlinehybrid.tc.columbia.edu/articles/how-to-engage-students-using-music-education/
Have students create their own lyrics to popular songs
Students write songs about course content
Roleplay
Description: Role play is a teaching strategy that demonstrates a specific behavior by using repetitive actions, which allows students to practice and learn.
Ideas for how to apply to a music therapy classroom:
Practice certain techniques and interventions with other students
Learn how to enter a patient room (hospital, hospice, etc.).
Resources:
Handout from class: https://tunny-gopher-hbae.squarespace.com/s/Overview-of-Role-Play-as-an-Effective-Teaching-Method-1-1.pdf
Role Playing: https://www.niu.edu/citl/resources/guides/instructional-guide/role-playing.shtml
How to use role play: https://www.responsiveclassroom.org/how-to-use-role-play-to-support-collaborative-work/
Humor
Description: Humor is a way to lighten the mood, teach concepts, bring people together, and can even create a safe and comfortable learning environment through jokes, personal stories, improvisations, and anecdotes.
Ideas for how to apply to a music therapy classroom:
Share personal stories of mistakes that have been made in my own personal music therapy journey.
Improvise clinical scenarios, where one person can be the client and can act however they like, while the other is the “therapist” and practices how to handle difficult situations.
Resources:
Article: https://www.scielo.org.za/scielo.php?pid=S2223-62792008000300007&script=sci_arttext
Engaging students with humor: https://www.psychologicalscience.org/observer/engaging-students-with-humor
Teaching and learning instructional humor: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11814177/
Brainstorming & Discussion
Description: Brainstorming is when the teacher poses a question, a problem, or introduces a topic to begin a discussion where students are encouraged to come up with many different perspectives, next steps, or solutions regarding that specific topic.
Ideas for how to apply to a music therapy classroom:
Try to come up with different ways to approach one situation in a clinical setting.
Come up with pros and cons lists of the various clinical approaches (can vary by person to person).
Resources:
10 Methods: https://boardmix.com/tips/brainstorming-methods/
Fun & Effective: https://www.stellarteacher.com/blog/brainstorming/
Brainstorming resources: https://www.ideou.com/pages/brainstorming-resources?srsltid=AfmBOor5IAH8NOaM0ws5Urf3KO0q74D1vZBiT33l2rZm8yoqArCGsRYj
Drawing & Artwork
Description: Drawing and artwork is a way to use students’ creativity to encourage deeper learning of topics by approaching them from a unique, personal persepctive. This is a way for students to express themselves, communicate their ideas, explore diverse perspectives, develop problem-solving skills, increase fine motor skills, improve spatial awareness, and enhance attention to detail.
Ideas for how to apply to a music therapy classroom:
Find a creative way to express what it means to be a musci therapist (artwork, baking, etc.).
Spend time learning about Art Therapy (possible have an art therapist come in to give a presentation and demonstration about art therapy).
Resources:
Have students express their philosophy of music therapy through an artistic means of their choosing (a painting, baking, drawing, dancing, etc.)
How to use art in content classes: https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/opinion-13-ways-to-use-art-in-content-classes/2021/10
Art to activate learning: https://www.wabashcenter.wabash.edu/2022/03/using-art-to-activate-learning-in-the-classroom-part-i/
Differentiated instruction strategies: https://artsintegration.com/differentiated-instruction-strategies/
Field Trips
Description: Field trips are a way to connect course content to real-life situations and experiences. They foster opportunities to learn and/or understand a new perspective, encourage the development of problem-solving skills, and lead students to find new ways to interpret thier world.
Ideas for how to apply to a music therapy classroom:
Have students shadow music therapists in the field.
Have students shadow other health professionals in related fields.
Resources:
Students can observe music therapy sessions or shadow medical personel
Field Trips: https://lvp.digitalpromiseglobal.org/content-area/literacy-4-6/strategies/field-trips-literacy-4-6/summary
Effective use of field trips: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/WC054
Benefits of fieldtrips: https://varthana.com/school/benefits-of-trips-in-education
Graphic Organizers
Description: Graphic organizers are a type of visual learning tool that can help teachers and students, alike, organize thoughts, concepts, etc. They can. be used to deepen understanding, overview content, simplify or clarify information, and can also be a starting point for brainstorming.
Ideas for how to apply to a music therapy classroom:
Personal concept map about current clinical approach to music therapy.
Mind map outlining future goals and ambitions.
Resources:
Article: https://learningfocused.com/graphic-organizer-instructional-strategy/
20 types of graphic organizers: https://creately.com/guides/types-of-graphic-organizers/
15 graphic organizers: https://visme.co/blog/graphic-organizer/
Mind maps, concept maps, etc.
Manipulatives & Models
Description: Manipulatives can be used to help learners communicate, visualize and comprehend material. (Very popular in math and anatomy classes).
Ideas for how to apply to a music therapy classroom:
Find physical ways to demonstrate how the brain reacts to music (neurons firing, which areas are being used, etc.).
Resources:
Anatomical figures (anatomy)
Couting blocks (math)
Boardgames
Using manipulatives: https://guides.lib.campbell.edu/c.php?g=325978&p=2667668
Hand on learning with manipulatives: https://www.hand2mind.com/resources/hands-on-learning-manipulatives-enhance-literacy-instruction?srsltid=AfmBOorXQo85URBWamnhCDmvqFoc51D7rDjEB-iPZ-n9ND748Qz33LYa
Metaphors, Analogies, & Similes
Description: Metaphors and analagies can be used to bring deeper meaning to learners about new and unfamiliar areas. This is done by connecting what is being learned to things they already know.
Ideas for how to apply to a music therapy classroom:
Use analogies to teach about potential consequences.
Resources:
Using metaphor and analogy: https://teachmag.com/using-metaphor-and-analogy-for-better-student-learning/
Teach effectively: https://www.classroomnook.com/blog/teaching-similes-metaphors-activities
Mneumonic Devices
Description: Mnemonics link information students know with new information that is being taught. A memory technique used to retrieve information.
Ideas for how to apply to a music therapy classroom:
Create a mnemonic to remember the order for things (therapeutic process, SOAP notes, approaches, etc.).
Resources:
Teaching music (Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge - EGBDF - notes on a music staff)
Remembering order of events
Mnemonic device: https://www.twinkl.dk/teaching-wiki/mnemonics
Teaching with mnemonics: https://www.educationworld.com/a_curr/profdev/profdev117.shtml
mnemonic generator: https://www.mnemonicgenerator.com/
Movement
Description: Movement is fun a way to help students learn by using their bodies, which helps learners stay active, focused, engaged, decreases stress, and improves memory retention and recall.
Ideas for how to apply to a music therapy classroom:
Posture breaks.
Demonstrate movement to music interventions.
Resources:
8 ways to use movement: https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/opinion-eight-ways-to-use-movement-in-teaching-learning/2020/07
Posture breaks
Stretching
Tactile and hands-on
Building movement into learning: https://www.edutopia.org/article/more-dozen-ways-build-movement-learning/
Project- & Problem-Based
Description: Project-based learning is when students come up with a project to express their understanding of course material. Problem-based learning is when students develop a solution for a problem.
Ideas for how to apply to a music therapy classroom:
Case study type of project to summarize the semester.
Resources:
Video (problem-based): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGoJIQYGpYk
Video (project-based): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2Oa4OkkTtw
10 exmaples: https://www.smartlablearning.com/project-based-learning-examples/
Examples and implementation: https://www.oasisintschool.net/problem-based-learning-best-examples-and-implementation-strategies-for-teachers/
Article: https://www.bu.edu/ctl/ctl_resource/project-based-learning-teaching-guide/
Reciprocal Teaching & Cooperative Learning
Description: Reciprocal teaching is a type of cooperative learning strategy that focuses on increasing students’ skills and understanding through the process of working together.
Ideas for how to apply to a music therapy classroom:
Have students lead music therapy sessions together.
Group presentations and projects.
Resources:
Group reading and summarization
Step of reciprocal teaching: https://www.prodigygame.com/main-en/blog/reciprocal-teaching
Reciprocal teaching with multimedia: https://catlintucker.com/2024/05/reciprocal-teaching-multimedia/
Article: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/21582440241280899?icid=int.sj-abstract.citing-articles.2
Technology
Description: Techonology can be a great way to teach, engage, and involve students in a learning process in the classroom, at home, or anywhere else.
Ideas for how to apply to a music therapy classroom:
Learn how to use Garageband, use heartbeat recording equipment, and other relevant music therapy tools.
Have students practice using an iPad and have them compile digital music files to create a digital repertoire (onsong, Guitartabs, notability, etc.).
Resources:
Using AI tools
Using online programs or games (kahoot, padlet, etc.)
How to integrate tech: https://drexel.edu/soe/resources/student-teaching/advice/how-to-use-technology-in-the-classroom/
Video (AI): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KG4_CYbVpTo
Digital fieldtrips
Videogames for learning
Internet homework assignments and portals
27 ways to use tech: https://www.prodigygame.com/main-en/blog/27-brilliant-ways-to-use-technology-in-the-classroom
Visualization & Guided Imagery
Description: Guided imagery is a way to increase background knowledge, experience, imagination, and engagement. It is a process of imagining guided by descriptions and narratives. It also doubles as a way to encourage and increase mindfulness.
Ideas for how to apply to a music therapy classroom:
Teach students about guided imagery in the music therapy context (possibly host a certified Bonny Method music therapist to demonstrate).
Way to help students relax during especially stressful school weeks.
Resources:
Mindfulness and persepctive taking: https://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/effective-teaching-strategies/deep-reading-using-mindfulness-and-guided-imagery-for-perspective-taking/
Set the tone for class, create a relaxing atmosphere
Can be used as a brain break
Guided imagery: https://www.redesignu.org/project/guided-imagery/
Drama based pedagogy: https://dbp.theatredance.utexas.edu/teaching-strategies/guided-imagery
Visuals
Description: Visuals are a way to engage students with course content by enhancing lectures, giving deeper meaning, and engaging the visual senses.
Ideas for how to apply to a music therapy classroom:
Use memes, GIFS, tiktoks, videos, images, etc.
Use images to explain neurological processes, show images of theorists, etc.
Resources:
Teaching with visuals: https://www.ascd.org/el/articles/teaching-with-visuals
Visual learning: https://www.instructure.com/resources/blog/visual-learning-effective-strategies-and-best-practices
Video presentations
Graphic organizers
Ultimate list of visuals: https://creately.com/blog/education/visual-teaching-strategies/
10 types: https://venngage.com/blog/visual-aids-for-learning-templates/
7 best: https://flearningstudio.com/tips-to-choose-the-right-visual-aids/
Professional Learning Comminuties
Description: Professional learning comunities is a learning strategy that utulizes collaborative learning techniques to create a culture and community of learning. This is achieved through teachers sharing their resources and collaborative groups that work towards one main goal together.
Ideas for how to apply to a music therapy classroom:
Host semesterly seminars that involve all music therapy students within the school to create a music therapy community.
Resources:
Internships
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUUVahqkIj4
3 examples: https://blog.alludolearning.com/professional-learning-communities-in-education
Effectiveness: https://theeducationhub.org.nz/practices-of-effective-professional-learning-communities/
References
Tate, M.L. (2012). “Sit and get” won’t grow dendrites (2nd Ed.). Corwin. https://www.corwin.com/books/sit-get-wont-grow-dendrites-2e-236898?srsltid=AfmBOoqJXXCcRt196j6IYRC5vej-igby0orgLt61QlWJF_jN8KqOq149