Publications, Projects, Research

Publications: articles

Hill, B. R. (2006). Teaching with ProTools? Proceed with caution! The development of mental models for recording engineering instruction. MEIEA Journal, 6(1), 29-58. (PDF)

Hill, B. R. (2003). Are your learners learning? A critical look at how and what we teach. MEIEA Journal, 3(1), 85-91.

Publications: textbook

Learning Recording Engineering: Fundamental concepts and operations.
This is not a “Pro Tools for Dummies” type of book. There are no true audio instructional texts available commercially that make sense from a human learning theory orientation. This text is specifically designed to help novices learn and understand principles of recording systems and operations that allow them to quickly learn and use any type of technology they encounter down the road. Accompanying audio CDs provide specific examples of the concepts and applications discussed in the book. More info…

Publications: albums

I have engineered a lengthy list of albums that were commercially released, a good number of which received national radio airplay and distribution. Several of these achieved chart status. I had the privilege of working with great musicians and producers who were masters at their craft. I have provided a list of many of the projects I engineered, quite incomplete only because I never really kept a log of all the albums I had a part of.

Professional conference presentations

Association for Educational Communications and Technology, Louisville, KY, 2009.
Selected presenter: Are Your Students “Getting It”?  Just Look at Their Mental Model – Insert Brain Probe, Or Use the Card Sort Assessment Technique (latter preferred).

The Teaching Professor Conference, Orlando, FL, 2008
Selected presenter: What Exactly are Your Learners Learning? Applying Mental Model Elicitation Techniques to Enhance Assessment of Your Courses and Programs. (PDF)

Millennium Music Conference, 2007
Panelist: Music Business Education

LVC Music Industry Conference, 2006
Panel Moderator: Publishing, Licensing, & Copyright

NARAS & MEIEA Education Summit, 2006
Nashville, TN
Invited panelist: Record Technology/Production (could not attend)

Teaching and learning presentations

“Want ‘em to actually learn something? Try this…”

“Still using paper and notebooks for class projects? Get real – get virtual”

“Using blog-based websites for class and other stuff”

“What are your learners actually learning? Applying mental model analysis as an alternative instructional assessment method–really!” 

“Applying human learning principles to course design”

Projects & Research

Research into mental models of recording engineers
As an educator my goal is to help student engineers develop a solid foundation in recording engineering so they can easily transition into different types of systems and technology after graduation. This is far more complex than merely teaching specific systems such as Pro Tools or a particular console. I am applying cognitive psychology research methodology in research studies to determine best practices for teaching recording. This information not only improves our program at LVC, but is also distributed to other audio educators around the country.

Director of the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning at LVC
My doctorate degree is in instructional design, so I am interested in helping educators know more about how people learn and how to develop instructional environments to improve learning. As the director for the Center, I am working to provide information, resources, and assistance to faculty as they work to improve their teaching and course designs. http://cetl.lvc.edu/cetl_blog/

Development of a website for applying mental model research to education
Assessing people’s mental models of subjects, such as recording engineering, chemistry, or programming, can help educators better understand how students “see” the course material. From this we can design more effective learning environments that help ensure students are “getting it”. After years of researching and compiling various techniques and issues, I’ve developed a website intended to provide information and advice for educators to try incorporating this method of assessment in their classes. The results will surprise you, so give it a whirl. www.mentalmodelassessment.org.

Working with K-12 music teachers to improve how music is taught in schools
I teach a graduate course Psychology of Music Teaching and Learning that is part of a master’s program in Music Education. Music instruction is often too focused on developing future Beethovens and Pearlmans and not enough on helping all young people develop cognitively and socially through music experiences that are age-appropriate.

Degree program in digital media & communications
I was one of the original designers for a new degree offering at LVC which includes multimedia and Internet technologies. The concept is to offer a liberal arts program which focuses in digital media with concentrations in business, art, computer science, communications, and education.