Music in Safety Training
Music in Safety Training
Is there a song that you hear that makes it hard not to tap your foot (or at least smile?) It has long been known that music affects us in many ways including increased positive emotions, and as you might remember from past posts, positive emotions are important in learning. A miserable trainee is going to have a difficult time absorbing any new information and music can help lift that mood. There are many experts with respect to using music in learning. (One favorite of mine is Lenn Millbower of OffBeat Training so if you want to go deeper, I suggest you check out Lenn’s work).
For now, here are a few easy ways to incorporate music into your training classes.
Pre-Class
Consider playing music in a training classroom or virtually before an online class starts. If this is not something you normally do, trainees will already be curious about the class that’s about to begin. In a virtual environment, everyone knows that awkward feeling that often exists when everyone is logging on and class has not yet started. Playing energizing music can help make this transition easier. It can also help to relax trainees and get them ready to learn.
During Breaks
If you are running a longer class and have regular breaks built in, music can be played at this time. When the music stops, it can be a sign for trainees that it’s time to get back to work.
During Learning Activities
Instead of using a timer to convey how much time is left for trainees to finish an activity, music can be used instead. If you want to give trainees 5 minutes to complete a task, find a song that lasts that long and tell the trainees that the activity is over when the song is complete.
Alternatively, music can be played in the background while trainees work on a project. There are many studies that suggest music can help with learning.
Finally, music can help energize and motivate tired and bored trainees. Think about how and why you listen to music and you will then have a better understanding of how music may affect your trainees.
PS - A few older posts also discuss music in safety training. You can find them here and here.
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