I like having better equipment to do multi-track recordings for consult materials, but I'm not completely sold on using more technology during my therapy sessions.
I'm using the recording software to take data/language samples during sessions, and students utilize behavioral incentive charts to earn "recording studio time" where they can make their own CD (while working on IEP related goals), and I'm using the ipod for recorded music, but when is too much recorded music and techno-spiffiness "too much?" And where do you draw the line between recording artist and music therapist?
I'm extremely picky when it comes to using recorded music in my sessions. If I'm using a recording on the ipod to teach a skill, I'm usually pausing the ipod and waiting for a client response, just like I would with my voice and/or guitar during a live music presentation. But I'm curious to know if my colleagues do the same thing...? I remember reading all the music therapy research journal articles about live versus recorded music presentation and how live music is usually the better choice. So, how do we, when presented with such wonderful technology, justify using it over live presentation?
Besides using the recording equipment for reinforcement and data collection, the only big change for me is how I do my consultative materials to colleagues. I'm recording more often. My recordings are of higher quality and I'm also doing enhanced podcasting for skills. Many of my teachers are making a "music therapy" center during their center time in the classroom and having students listen/watch podcasts created by me. But is that still the same as a live presentation or a teacher singing and waiting for a response? I don't think so.
Bottom line. If you want a student to be "exposed" to a topic, learn something by rote memory, or practice a social skill situation, then I think recorded music and podcasting can be effective. If you want to do direct learning with a student with decreasing response time or your hierarchy of prompting, then lay off the techie-geek stuff and do the more flexible, live presentation.
