Listening Technology Over Time

Teacher Resources

Students connect to engineering, technology, and art components of STEAM as they explore how music listening technology evolved from the 1900s to today.

Students examine artifacts from the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and listen to music popular during the era of each device. Students are challenged to think critically, collaborate, and communicate as they evaluate how and why these technologies have changed over time.

In the pre-activity, students evaluate the historical context and purpose of advertisements for various listening devices throughout time. This lesson can be completed in one, forty-five-minute class period. As a culminating post-activity, students use their creativity to illustrate an original listening device or modify one that they learned about during the program. This lesson can be completed in one forty-five-minute class period.

This content is intended for individual classroom use only. All teachers are required to register for their own classroom needs.

If students need to access videos independently, share this link:
https://www.countrymusichalloffame.org/learn/lesson-plans-and-resources/steam/listening-technology-over-time/

Supporting Materials

  • Listening Technology over Time Part I: 1900s – 1970s

    explores the history of the gramophone, record player, transistor radio, and 8-track player. Students will observe, analyze, and evaluate the design and functionality of a 1917 Victor Talking Machine gramophone and an 8-track player, and they will hear music from Country Music Hall of Fame member Charley Pride. Students will also learn how science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics intersect to create one of the most influential radio stations in Nashville, TN.

  • Listening Technology over Time Part II: 1980s - 2010s

    explores the history of the Walkman (cassette player), boombox, Discman (CD player), and iPod (mp3 player). Students will observe, analyze, and evaluate the design and functionality of a boombox, including how to make a mix tape. Students will observe all devices from Part I and II on a timeline and draw conclusions on how and why listening technology changed over time.

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