Brown, Susannah

This study integrates visual art with a public speaking assignment to explore participants’ experiences and perceptions of engagement in the Teacher-Researcher’s course at Lynn University. Using an action research design and with informed consent, seven students volunteered as participants. This study investigates these seven participants’ experiences and perceptions of emotional engagement with the visual art integration implementation, consisting of instruction, activities, and assignments. Participants’ prior academic experiences and perceptions of art and public speaking frames the analysis of their perceptions and experiences of emotional engagement with this art integration implementation. Emotional engagement is operationalized as participants’ experiences and perceptions of art, public speaking, immersion, artistic mindset, and benefits. The Teacher- Researcher analyzes participants’ art making processes and products for experiences and perceptions of emotional engagement. The art integrated implementation involved participants learning about art and belief systems (religion and philosophy) and public speaking through art. Participants created visual art, which served as a focal point of a presentation they delivered. The Teacher-Researcher is interested in learning about emotional engagement with the art integrated presentation assignment to refine future research and practice.

This mixed methods study examines the lived experiences of six female high school band directors in the state of Florida as they related to the perceptions of the professional band association membership. This research focuses on how women and men perceive their experiences in relation to gender roles and gender-stereotyping in the traditionally masculine field of secondary instrumental music. A quantitative survey was distributed to the professional band association membership and 99 responses were recorded. Participants answered questions regarding years of teaching experience, grade levels taught, primary instrument, and their thoughts on the impact of gender on several aspects of instrumental music education.
The survey results revealed that women feel strongly about the impact that gender has on instrument selection, performance opportunities, and job opportunities while men remain largely neutral. Out of the 99 responses, 6 participants that met the criteria for the qualitative interview portion of the study were contacted to arrange interviews