Dr. Barbara Freedman

11/26/2021
Barbara Freedman

We are proud to highlight an alumna, Dr. Barbara Freedman, from the Department of Learning Technologies

Barbara started her degree in 2015 in the 2019 Cohort and graduated in 2019. She explains, “I could not have done the degree and within the 4-year time frame without the incredible faculty and staff in the Learning Technologies department and my cohort.”

Her dissertation title is "The Impact of Technology-based Music Classes on Music Department Enrollment in Secondary Public High Schools In The Northeastern United States". The abstract is below:

The purpose of this study was to examine if the implementation of a technology-based music class in public high schools in the northeastern United States had any significant impact on the overall music department enrollment and on enrollment in traditional performance ensemble courses, such as band and chorus, as they are the courses most offered in high schools in the United States. The two phases of the study included identifying eligible schools and collecting data from schools. A six-year history of music department and school enrollment data was collected from participating schools (n = 12). Individual music classes in each school were categorized as Band, Chorus, Orchestra, Technology-based, or Other Music Classes. Results found a statistically significant increase in overall Music Department enrollment and no statistically significant change in enrollment in Band or Chorus after the implementation of a technology-based music class. Reductions in enrollment did occur in Other Music classes. No significant change to the number of teachers in music departments was found. This study suggests that implementing technology-based music classes may help increase overall music department enrollment without negatively impacting enrollment in traditional performance ensembles and may not necessitate funding for additional faculty.


Since her graduation, she has presented the paper as part of the proceedings of the AREA 2020 Annual Meeting and speaks frequently at state conferences as well as consults with districts and schools on multimedia and technology integration in teaching and learning and lab construction. When asked about her career, she says, “I am honored to be an adjunct in the IT Department as I have taught a few classes for masters and PhD students. I look forward to working more in the department.”

Barbara has been actively teaching high school technology-based music classes since 2001. Her program was one of three from around the world featured in a new documentary called “The Creative Element,” in which three music teachers explain how music technology helps their students engage with the creative process and make the music that matters to them. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4tpo_l4VUQ&t=1s

The program was also featured in a front-page article in the Greenwich Times "Electronic Music Has Inspired Students 'To Make The Music They Want To Make' For Decades" (attached  PDF) https://tinyurl.com/mjnn43rn
 
Additionally, she is also an active performer in a few local orchestras, Greater Bridgeport Symphony, Ridgefield Symphony, and the Greenwich Symphony. Dr. Freedman says that she is so happy to have students back in the classroom full time and she’s thrilled to be back playing and performing again. 

We wish her continued success in her career!