The digital deliverable that we have constructed is a two-fold endeavor that seeks to bring about several learning outcomes. The deliverable that is in the form of a podcast consists of educating the public about the topic at hand, with the intention of bringing about the audience’s advocacy for the issue. Hence, the podcast is entitled “Music Therapy: Educate and Advocate.” The deliverable is synthesized from a recording of the physical engagement conducted on our part with musical therapy, overlaid with vital portions of the interviews conducted with Brian Abrams, Ellen Whealton, and Kalini, all board-certified music therapists. The first learning goal is educating the audience as to what exactly constitutes music therapy. The voice of Brian Abrams will bring about that learning outcome by his providing a definition for the field, an explanation about the range of clients for whom it is used to treat, a description of the systematic way in which music therapy is utilized, and, ultimately, the creation of a distinction from it and other allied health professions. The second learning outcome lies along educating the listeners about the issue of the lack of state recognition and the dangers it poses to the field of music therapy. Parts of Ellen Whealton’s interview is used to convey this to the audience. Lastly, Whealton and Kalani’s voices will be used to inform the public about how they can take part in advocating for music therapy itself. The first two learning outcomes should establish a concrete picture of the field within the audience’s mind, allowing them to internalize the final message of the deliverable and take part in the advocacy endeavor.
The aforementioned learning outcomes are achieved through the use of the strands of learning. To encourage the audience to engage with the message being imparted from the podcast, the first strand of learning that involves sparking interest and excitement is utilized. The deliverable begins with a popular fast-paced song to incite excitement and curiosity within the listeners. As the audience is introduced to the podcast with a member of the The Therapeutic Trio singing “Rolling in the Deep” by Adele, they will be more obliged to listen to the series of educating thoughts that proceed after. Music continues to run through the entire deliverable, breaking up and dividing the didactic portions of the podcast. Through the use of Whealton, Kalani, and Abram’s interview extracts we are generating understanding of scientific content and knowledge, which is characteristic of the second strand. The sixth strand of identifying with the scientific enterprise is aimed to be achieved by the deliverable, stressing how all can advocate for music therapy. Through the suggestions listed by Whealton and Kalani, as to how ordinary citizens can work to promote state recognition, listeners can begin to think of themselves as individuals capable of contributing to the scientific realm of music therapy. This identity component will be enhanced through the distribution of a template for an advocacy letter that anyone in the audience can send to a politician and bring about change in the field. This allows for the audience to further engage in the issue presented as the sample letter transforms the novel idea into a tangible activity.