Music For Educators and Trainers

Soundtracks for Learning
How to Use Create that Riveting Drama of Content!
Part 1: Visual Review

The superhero leaps across the chasm as the audience gasps and the cymbals crash... a tear rolls down the starlets cheek and the audience reaches into their pockets for a tissue. Oh, that our classrooms could elicit that kind of attention with it's lasting memories. Ah, but we can-using the same techniques that have been a part of film-making since the talkies first rolled their reels.

Georgi Lozanov, founder of Accelerated Learning, had the inspiration some decades ago to play music in the background as content was being read to "carry" the information more deeply into consciousness. Today we know from CAT scans, MRI's and other brain research that it's true---music has a pathway to parts of the brain not reached by words alone.

In Part 1 of Soundtracks for Learning, we'll start off simply with a power-packed technique for inspiring audience participation---something I call the Visual Review.

What is it? A short but powerful memory-bonding activity that reviews the most important aspects of your presentation by showing the visuals important to your presentation at approximately 7-second intervals. Participants hear an alpha-brainwave memory soundtrack while seeing the visuals again. There is no speaking during this time.

What does it take? Optimally 3-5 minutes of classroom time, one of the CD's recommended below or something similar from your music library, 25-60 important visuals (computer or overheads) from your lesson. Longer or shorter time periods are okay, but 3-5 minutes is best.

Why do it?
1) You reinforce the information you feel is most important, but this time in a manner that provides a new alternate processing route. Remember, the more ways you present a concept, the more potential it has for being retained. This route allows space for personal integration.
2)The 3-5 minutes of calm and reflection participants get in this activity refreshes mind, body, spirit. The short break from talking/listening to talk is especially valuable.
3) The activity is short and sweet and learners appreciate it-see for yourself!

How does it work? The Visual Review soundtrack puts the participant into a reflective state. As participants see the visuals you have shown them earlier, their brains remember the visual and access the information they received from you that surrounded the visual when they first saw it. This body of knowledge is reinforced and connected to the flow of the concept. The effect will be enhanced if you show the visuals in the same order you first presented them. This gives participants a chance to "fill-in-the-blanks" if they missed something the first time around.

When do I do it? At the end of a segment of information where there is a natural break to another topic or to a new element of the same topic. Right before lunch or at the end of the day works well, too. Also, consider using it as an opening for a second day-review the most important elements of the first day through a Visual Review. This brings the participants focus in and refreshes their memory!

What about the visuals? Your visuals will have more effect if they:
1) are brief, showing only a few words that summarize an important aspect
2) use color and symbols (the brain remembers color and symbols first, then words
3) are left up for awhile when you first show them-not just flashed up (no 7 seconds here!)

Why show them for 7 seconds during the review? The optimal time for the brain to absorb information on a visual without getting bored during a visual presentation with no speaking is 7 seconds! Of course, when you're first showing it and speaking about it, leave it up longer.

Music suggestions: Many selections will work, but I have used these over the years and they work well. I've put in various styles and cultural suggestions.

*Oceans: Christopher Peacock (see Sound Reviews section for more info)
Contemporary instrumental featuring piano
Cuts 2, 4, 7 are highly motivating

*Music for Accelerated Learning: Steven Halpern
Free-flowing, relaxing music
Any cut

*Velvet Dreams or Celtic Fantasy: Daniel Kobialka
Slow string music, very calming. Velvet Dreams is classical and Celtic Fantasy is Celtic
Use any cut

Relax with the Classics, Vol 1: The LIND Institute
Baroque-era classical music between 50 and 80 beats per minute
Use any cut --cut 1, Pachelbel's Canon is especially nice

An Dun: Calming the Emotions: Wind Records
Asian music for a multicultural feel
Use any cut 1

African Voices: Narada Collection
Serene African vocal music in African languages-it works!
Use any cut

*Medicine Woman: Medwyn Goodall
Warm instrumental music with world-music feel.
Use cuts 4 or 5---they are especially moving

Flute Dreams: Alice Gomez
Rich and warm flute sounds from the Native American culture.
Use any cut

The CD's referenced here and other CD's may be purchased through LifeSounds at 1-888-687-4251, music@us-it.net.

*Items with an asterisk come with USABLE MUSIC rights to use in face-to-face training. A bonus for corporate trainers who need use rights!

An on-line article published in the Imagine magazine, a publication of the International Alliance for Learning organization: www.ialearn.org