Visualizing voice: Using illustrations, infographics and videos in voice training

This study aims to make abstract concepts, which are difficult to learn in voice training processes, more understandable through teaching materials supported by visual, auditory and kinesthetic aspects. The starting point of the research lies in the conceptual ambiguities encountered during the learning process, which stem from students' difficulties in concretizing the abstract explanations frequently used in vocal training courses. Accordingly, the study focuses on the need to render such basic, abstract and metaphorical expressions more meaningful and tangible, and to develop alternative instructional materials that can enhance students' cognitive representations. Conducted with an explanatory sequential mixed-methods design, this research employed quantitative (n.27) and qualitative (n.8) data collection tools developed for vocal training experts working in the departments of music education at faculties of education in Turkey. The data were analyzed using SPSS for the quantitative dimension and MAXQDA for the qualitative dimension. As a result of the analyses, the methods and metaphors employed by vocal training experts to explain fundamental and abstract concepts to their students were identified. Based on these findings, a series of illustrations were initially created, which were then transformed into infographic and video formats to design instructional materials with high pedagogical functionality, grounded in multi-sensory stimuli. Based on the findings, it is anticipated that the developed materials will facilitate the understanding of abstract concepts, making the teaching processes more inclusive and effective. The limited development of audiovisual materials in the field of voice education suggests that this study has the potential to offer a unique and interdisciplinary contribution to the field.