Date of Award
Winter 12-7-2023
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
School
Music
Committee Chair
Ashley Allen
Committee Chair School
Music
Committee Member 2
Ian Cicco
Committee Member 2 School
Music
Committee Member 3
Ed Hafer
Committee Member 3 School
Music
Committee Member 4
Mark Malone
Committee Member 4 School
Music
Committee Member 5
Don Sacco
Committee Member 5 School
Psychology
Abstract
The purpose of the present study was to investigate the teaching experience of higher education music therapy faculty during the COVID-19 pandemic. All facets of education had to adapt to safety protocols outlined by local, state, and national agencies. The mixed method sequential explanatory design included a two-phase study. Phase I was a Qualtrics survey of full-time music therapy faculty. Phase I findings served as a guide for question development for phase II, semi-structured interviews. The primary research questions were as follows: (1) describe experiences of faculty teaching during the pandemic, (2) what specific stressors were identified by faculty and (3) compare teaching experiences among interviewed faculty. The literature finds higher education faculty experienced higher levels of stress and mental health concerns due to the pandemic increasing the risk of burnout. In addition, experience with the use of learning management systems (LMS) and telehealth prior to the onset of the pandemic yielded better adaptation outcomes for course migration. Phase I found that overall lecture and clinical courses were rated negatively due to the impact of the pandemic with most challenging aspect of following safety protocols being the inability to access university facilities. Three participants were selected from phase I for phase II. The phase II participants shared themes included: utilization of technology, difficulty with clinical practicum adaptations, educational delivery strategies, feeling unsupported as an employee and lifestyle changes. Music therapy faculty found that after teaching during the pandemic their feelings towards using technology were positive. The possibility of incorporating more online technology post pandemic teaching in music therapy higher education are discussed.
Recommended Citation
Pierce, Jim, "MIXED METHOD STUDY INVESTIGATING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ADAPTATIONS OF ONLINE TEACHING AND MENTAL ADJUSTMENTS OF MUSIC THERAPY FACULTY" (2023). Dissertations. 2199.
https://aquila.usm.edu/dissertations/2199
Included in
Music Education Commons, Music Therapy Commons, Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Commons