Reflections On Music Therapy Training Within E-learning Education Contexts

Authors

  • Imogen Nicola Clark University of Melbourne
  • Grace Anne Thompson University of Melbourne

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15845/voices.v16i1.835

Keywords:

e-learning, blended learning, student feedback, music therapy training, curriculum, flexible delivery

Abstract

The rapid expansion of e-learning technology is transforming the availability and delivery of university education. In Australia, e-learning offers opportunities for students to study music therapy while living in remote locations across a vast country. Students enrolled in the Masters of Music Therapy at the University of Melbourne may choose traditional on-campus learning or blended learning, which involves a combination of face-to-face intensives and e-learning. This article focuses on blended learning with reflections from music therapy students and teachers at the University of Melbourne. A description of the music therapy program is provided with a detailed explanation of one subject to illustrate how e-learning is managed. Our experiences of teaching blended learning students are discussed, and we identify key challenges including teacher-student rapport, regular communication, student-to-student engagement, and user friendly on line learning tools. We then reflect on student feedback from an informal evaluation, and explain students’ experiences of collaborative learning, interaction with teaching staff, and staying on track with learning. In conclusion, we discuss the future of music therapy education over an online forum, taking into consideration challenges and advantages for students, teaching academics and learning institutions, and offer ideas from which future research projects might be developed.

Author Biographies

Imogen Nicola Clark, University of Melbourne

Imogen Clark is a music therapy tutor at The University of Melbourne, PhD candidate at La Trobe University, and music therapist at Austin Health, Australia. Her research concentrates on music to improve health and wellbeing in older adults. Further interests focus on music therapy training and the growth of music therapy as a profession. Imogen has published in several peer reviewed music therapy and medical journals, and is an active contributor to the Australian Music Therapy Association.

Grace Anne Thompson, University of Melbourne

Grace Thompson is an Australian music therapist whose clinical work has focussed on young children with special needs in family-centered settings.  She is currently a lecturer at The University of Melbourne, and completed her PhD in 2012 investigating the effects of family-centred music therapy on the social communication development of young children with autism spectrum disorder.

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Published

2016-02-09

How to Cite

Clark, I. N., & Thompson, G. A. (2016). Reflections On Music Therapy Training Within E-learning Education Contexts. Voices: A World Forum for Music Therapy, 16(1). https://doi.org/10.15845/voices.v16i1.835

Issue

Section

Position Papers