My playlist for post e/mlearning projects: euphoria leading to exhaustion

I am working with a few colleagues from the University of Edinburgh on a project (elernenmuzik) exploring the role of music and sound in elearning. In fact, a recent conversation I had with them at the AoIR Conference in Manchester provided a good chance for us to meet and reminisce into the wee hours of the night (wee for me) about music and this project. For this project, I recently compiled the playlist below, which contains tracks that I tend to listen to when I have completed any of the following:

a large piece of writing (just finished one today)
an end of term elearning assignment
some creative multimodal project or piece of work
some other (e)milestone

I find that these projects create sensations not unlike an artist or musician or novelist might experience. They are creative endeavors that push open the boundaries a bit in one’s mind about what is possible. The pure joy of creation, even if measured against academic authority. Elation at having completed something, created something. I tend to load up a playlist and go for a walk when I am done with these projects. I listen to many of these tracks. And then I grow tired.

I found that as I was compiling this playlist and mixing it a bit in Garage Band, I noticed the ebb and flow. The beginning was triumphant, elated, full of energy and rhythmic progression. The middle parts waned a bit. The end was a search for home, for my wife, for some nostalgic centering, grounding. It followed the path of an artistic enterprise. Elation at creation, a certain wistful melancholy comprehending the fact that it is over. Luckily, there are always more projects, more papers, and more creation to be had. Enjoy.

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