ReturnThe Sound of Innovation: Universal Application in Educational Settings
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Colorado Convention Center, Bluebird Ballroom Lobby, Table 24
Participate and share: Poster 
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Session description
Purpose & objective
Purpose: The purpose of this presentation is to demonstrate how emerging music innovations like AI, AR/VR, and sonification can be utilized as universal tools to transform learning across educational settings and subjects. It will showcase real-world applications of these technologies to promote active, experiential learning.
Objectives: After this presentation, participants will:
Understand how music innovations like AI, AR/VR, and sonification can make abstract concepts more concrete and tangible for students.
Learn how these technologies can provide inclusive, responsive environments that engage diverse minds and abilities.
Gain insight into how music and sound can be integrated across subjects to enhance learning and skills.
Be able to explain models like design thinking, personalized learning, and competency-based education enabled by music tech tools.
Practice aligning instructional strategies and technology integration to ISTE Standards categories.
The presentation will address the challenge of static, one-size-fits-all instructional approaches. It will showcase neurodiverse student creators using technologies like generative AI, sonification, and new controllers/interfaces. Success will be demonstrated through examples and research on music's benefits for neuroplasticity, executive function, and experiential learning.
Outline
Presentation Outline:
I. Introduction (10 mins)
Overview of session objectives and agenda
Icebreaker activity where attendees introduce themselves and share their role
II. Future of Work Trends (10 mins)
Present research on how jobs are changing and skills needed for future success
Discuss implications for preparing students
III. The Neuroscience of Music and Learning (10 mins)
Present research on music and the brain, impact on memory, executive function
Discuss implications for using music to differentiate instruction
Share examples of incorporating music across curriculum
IV. Student-Driven Learning Models (15 mins)
Introduce personalized, project-based, and competency-based learning approaches
Attendees reflect on how models could be implemented in their setting
5. Developing Future-Ready Skills (10 mins)
Present framework for skills like critical thinking, creativity, communication
Connection to ISTE Standards categories
6. Hands-on Design Thinking Activity (25 mins)
Attendees collaborate in teams on design challenge activity
Teams present solutions and reflect on the experience
7. Empowering Student Voice with Technology (10 mins)
Share examples of using tech to amplify student choice, expression and engagement
Discuss EdTech tools and implementation strategies
8. Aligning to ISTE Standards (10 mins)
Review process for aligning instructional strategies and tech integration to ISTE Standards
Attendees draft brief action plan for implementation
9. Q&A and Wrap Up (10 mins)
Address audience questions
Share resources and contact info
Thank attendees for participation
Supporting research
References:
"Developing Students' Skills for the 21st Century" (Partnership for 21st Century Skills) https://www.p21.org/about-us/p21-framework/260-developing-students-skills-for-the-21st-century-
"The Future of Jobs Report 2020" (World Economic Forum) https://www.weforum.org/reports/the-future-of-jobs-report-2020
"Implementing Personalized Learning" (RAND Corporation) https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_briefs/RB9994.html
Books:
"The Musical Brain" by Michael Positano
"This Is Your Brain on Music" by Daniel Levitin
"Most Likely to Succeed" by Tony Wagner and Ted Dintersmith
"Creative Schools" by Ken Robinson
Experts:
Anita Collins - Music educator and author on neuroscience research
Nina Kraus - Professor at Northwestern; research on music training and neuroplasticity
Jessica Grahn - Western University professor; research on music cognition and brain development
Tony Wagner - Innovation Education Fellow at Harvard University
Ken Robinson - Author and expert on creativity and innovation in education
Jal Mehta - Professor at Harvard Graduate School of Education
Mitch Resnick - LEGO Papert Professor of Learning Research at MIT Media Lab
Websites:
ISTE Standards for Students: https://www.iste.org/standards/iste-standards-for-students
Edutopia's Project-Based Learning Resources: https://www.edutopia.org/project-based-learning
"Music Training for the Development of Reading Skills" (Frontiers in Psychology) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4789757/
"Music education enhances the neural processing of speech and strengthens neurocognition" (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences) https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2118175120
Dana Foundation's Music and the Brain resources: https://www.dana.org/theme/music-and-the-brain/
American Psychological Association on music cognition: https://www.apa.org/action/science/music-cognition
NASA: Sonifications:
https://science.nasa.gov/mission/hubble/multimedia/sonifications
Session specifications
Empowered Learner
- Students build networks and customize their learning environments in ways that support the learning process.
- Students know and use a deliberate design process for generating ideas, testing theories, creating innovative artifacts or solving authentic problems.
- Students communicate complex ideas clearly and effectively by creating or using a variety of digital objects such as visualizations, models or simulations.