Please take a look at the following personas to help guide the development of XPs:
Xander
14 Phoenix, AZ White
Unique Story
Xander has been diagnosed with high functioning autism. He is very intelligent and comfortable with using technology, but his social interactions often need monitored because his social skills are underdeveloped for his age. Xander enjoys finding “underground” musicians on SoundCloud and sharing or promoting their music, especially to his music teacher. While he has played some guitar and has a great singing voice, he most enjoys making music with Digital Audio Workstations (DAW) such as Soundtrap, GarageBand, and Ableton Live Lite.
Socioeconomic Context
Xander is part of a white middle class family, the oldest of two siblings, and is often watched or cared for by Grandma since both parents work full time. He has unlimited access to the internet through his own computer. Xander often experiences difficulty with pacing himself to complete tasks on time. He gets enthralled in small details and spends too much time and energy on them, which causes him to rush through the rest of the task to get it done on time.
Goal, interests, needs, desires
Xander’s goal is to be a scientist, desirably one similar to Albert Einstein. His interests are music, technology, and politics. He needs structure and someone/something to pace his individual learning time or he will not complete a task on time. He would hope to gain vast knowledge from learning playlists, something he would use to better his music.
Context for learning playlists
Xander will access the learning playlists during time in the media center or music classroom, pending permission from his teachers. He would be very interested in learning playlists and would not hesitate to offer immediate feedback about his experience with them. He would appreciate the use of technology and individual learning perspective, especially because he sometimes struggles in general education classrooms.
Current way of learning
Xander would use Google and YouTube to help him currently gain skills or understanding if the learning playlists did not exist. He would make some progress; however, over time, the lack of structure in this process would cause him to lose interest.
Value
Individual learning structure that paces a student accordingly. The ability to use technology in a way that teaches a student content that may appear dull otherwise. Enough playlists that the student feels opportunities to learn are limitless, even if he only completes a few.
Amelia aka DJ Unique
13 New York City Hispanic, or Latino
Unique Story
DJ Unique is a 13 year old girl who comes from a family who has significant financial struggles, but you would never know it. She is extremely likable, intelligent an very into being a DJ and producing music. In class she is a great student and shows a lot of promise. That being said she thinks she knows everything and more often than not never gives any of the other students in her class an opportunity to answer questions. She has lots of friends and has a great heart.
Socioeconomic Context
Amelia comes from a divorced family but is supported and cared for by both parents. They have significant financial troubles and have recently been forced out of their homes and into a shelter. Sometimes she can’t make it to class because they can’t afford to buy her a metro card.
Goal, interests, needs, desires
Amelia wants to be a DJ and Producer. She is constantly listening to music and making playlists for her family and friends. She spends her free time at a community center where she has access to the technology and information she needs to make music.
Context for learning playlists
She would most likely be accessing the content at a community center, public library or else on a mobile device at home. If presented in the right way, she would be very interested in watching the videos and share them with her friends.
Current way of learning
She would get them from the community center where she spends her time after school. They have classes and facilities she has access too.
Value
Role Support
Technical Information
Creative Information
Inspiration
Sense of Community
Nia
18 Detroit, MI Black or African American
Unique Story
Nia is a Black Trans Woman who is very spiritually rooted. She is kind and caring, often the listener and caregiver for her friends and family, with strong opinions and a powerful spirit. She comes across as optimistic but is often negating her own feelings, with the exception of expressing them through the melancholy lyrics she writes. She is always finding new music to listen to on youtube and soundcloud, including hip-hop, alternative rock, and soul. Her favorites are to sing along with are esperanza spalding and other contemporary classical artists.
Socioeconomic Context
Grew up in a working class home with her mother who is a minister living with physical disability. Her brother died of cancer and she has a lot of additional responsibility taking care of her nieces and nephews. She was not kicked out of the house but was not fully accepted either and therefore struggles from depression and often doesn’t stay with her family, but instead couch hops with friends in the queer and trans community. She dropped out of school due to these challenges and additional discrimination in school, but she is extremely smart and is often reading and learning online on her own.
Goal, interests, needs, desires
Nia wants to sing and write lyrics, but there are few spaces where she feels supported to explore these goals. She aims to write an original opera about Black Trans Women in Brazil. She wants to perform and create projects that can be healing and supportive to trans women in difficult situations.
Context for learning playlists
She is often learning online so she could be very interested in the playlists, but she is also very critical of content that perpetuates gender and racial and other stereotypes she will get turned off fast. She also has short attention span so the pieces need to be engaging and exciting to her.
Current way of learning
She is very dedicated to finding music and videos online. She also attends some community workshops but not frequently because of lack of reliable transportation.
Value
-Vocal tone (especially ones that are trans inclusive considering the ways that vocal tone is connected to identity and is affected by hormones, etc)
-Music as healing (what are ways that music can be an outlet to heal challenging and traumatic experiences?)
-Songwriting (lyrical development, song structure)
-Basic composing skills (to learn how to make some of her own scratch tracks to write over)
-Music and social change (ways to impact societal injustices through music)
Dana
14 San Antonio, TX Hispanic or Latino
Unique Story
Dana is a shy and hard working middle school student. She has a small group of friends but it most bonded with her older sister who also attends her school. She has never viewed herself as someone who is musical or interested in technology. She more recently began to show an interest in trying new things and decided to sign up for three new classes, two of which are music related. She likes to sing and explore instruments but is self-conscious about her abilities, so would prefer to practice alone in her room or with her older sister than in front of a class or a big crowd. She works well with others but takes to get comfortable around new people and situations.
Socioeconomic Context
Dana is Hispanic and comes from a middle class background. Her sister and involved extended family support her in her academic interests. The family, however, does not see the value of technology and does not regularly use it at home nor sees the value in spending money on technology. She works hard at challenges, even if resources or support are not given.
Goal, interests, needs, desires
Dana is ambitious but has not officially chosen an official career goal. She is interested in the service and helping others in some capacity. She has not cleared defined that looks like, yet. Dana needs guidance, support, and structure in her learning. Although, she is a strong problem solver and naturally bright, her confidence holds her back. She needs a clear starting point, goal, and feedback to ensure that she’s on the right track. From the learning playlists, Dana could more confidence in her developing music abilities and a create an outlet for personal expression.
Context for learning playlists
Initially, Dana would access the playlists from school; however, with time and the shared resources from school, she could access them from home, as well. I believe that Dana would be cautiously optimistic. She would be curious but nervous to explore new opportunities on her own. If given guidance from her teacher, and shown possible connections to the two new music courses she is enrolled in, she will open up and engage more freely.
Current way of learning
Dana is currently enrolled in two music courses this semester. She is a taking a general music course that she would be able to access the playlists through. Additionally, she enrolled in chorus, which may provide musical skills that she would find applicable to the playlist experience.
Value
Dana would find the individualized pacing of the playlist valuable. She prefers step-by-step instruction that is tailored to her learning. Additionally, the playlists could provide introductory ideas to new musical experiences that she would not have discovered otherwise. Finally, Dana would find the differing musical experiences of the playlists valuable. She experienced traditional music courses and their offerings (i.e.: singing in chorus, playing instruments in a general music course). Dana may find the new and challenging musical engagement strategies as a way to connect with music differently.
Gwenevere
15 Phoenix, AZ Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander
Unique Story
Since Gwenevere was in the 6th grade, she has loved singing in a choir. She was lucky enough to have general music classes throughout her elementary school experience and has loved music ever since. When she was in middle school, she participated in every sports team, but chose to focus on music when she got to high school. She is in the advanced choral ensemble and hopes to be choir president when she is a junior or senior. She is a top performer in all of her classes and has always been in honors and AP courses. She sometimes struggles to balance her time between academics and music, but always makes the effort to be as successful in each category as possible.
Socioeconomic Context
Gwen is on the lower end of middle class and has a brother. Her parents are working most of the time, so Gwen keeps herself busy by staying at school either at the library or the choir room. Luckily, the after school programs do not require a fee and she has been able to attend trips to Los Angeles with the choir every year.
Goal, interests, needs, desires
Gwen loves music and wants to pursue music after high school. She would love to be a choir teacher one day. She also enjoys being in shows and performing. If there were a way she could learn more about being a teacher and also getting better at singing, then she would take a step closer to her dreams and goals.
Context for learning playlists
Gwen does not spend a lot of her time on computers, but when she does it is to research or watch Youtube videos. During this time, Gwen may find interest in a learning playlist if the contents are fun and engaging; it would have to be something engaging enough for her to consider spending valuable time with the playlist instead of her academics.
Current way of learning
Gwen would probably look up the information in books or online.=
Value
The learning playlists would provide a way for Gwen to engage in music that is stress free, compared to the stress of her academics, to increase her knowledge of music skills, and to open her to other genres of music.
Luis
14 Phoenix, AZ Hispanic, or Latino
Unique Story
Luis is very interested in drumming. He has only had a few formal lessons, but is motivated to learn as much as he can. He asked his music teacher if he could come in early to practice on the school’s drum set. He isn’t interested in the percussion music found in traditional band, but he signed up for a secondary general music class. He had access to a snare drum and bought himself a drum pad and sticks to practice at home. Luis is a popular kid at school and can influence his peers positively or negatively depending on his mood.
Socioeconomic Context
Luis’ family doesn’t have much money. Luis and his siblings go to a school in a low SES neighborhood. Many of Luis’ classmates live in a nearby homeless shelter. Luis’ family has been able to afford a couple music lessons, but he isn’t able to go on a weekly or regular basis.
Goal, interests, needs, desires
Luis wants to be a drummer and would like to play the drum set at his church. He asked his music teacher about playing a song written and performed by a popular worship band. He would want to learn more about jamming and possibly how to make beats.
Context for learning playlists
Luis would most likely access the playlists after school at home. He might have to access them at his school’s computer lab. If Luis found them helpful, he would be highly motivated to work through them and extremely appreciative.
Current way of learning
Luis would ask his current music teacher or a musician at his church for help/lessons. His high school may or may not have a music class that would suit his interests.
Value
- Jamming: Luis would be interested in jamming, especially if he could be the drummer in the jam! I think he would like to jam in a group, but he might also find interest in a solo jam.
- Connecting music and culture: He realizes that music can be a way to talk about troubling subjects and social issues. Luis might be interested in finding ways to use music to start conversations. He is also interested in the music he hears at church. He might be most interested in combining his musical interests with his spiritual life.
- Building instruments and interfaces: He might find interest in this playlist if there’s information about building/making percussion instruments.
4. Luis loves music, but doesn’t have access to lessons. These playlists would act as teachers and he would be highly motivated to learn from them.
