My suggestions for success in online learning for hairstylists.
As we move into the summer and fall, most live classes are rescheduled or cancelled for good, I’ve thought a lot about the new way of learning for us. I feel Im lucky to have both points of view as a trainer/teacher, and as the student. I have recent experience (good and bad) in both.
I want to share a few of my own observations when I look at BOTH sides of the learning for me, which I feel are critical, to NOT wasting time, your money, the salons money, or MISSING the learning that’s happening in a virtual setting.
Lets face it, we all have that thing that happens when we are focused on a video, or tutorial, then WOOSH! The mind goes wayyy over there… yes over to that thing we forgot to do this morning. Or we just saw a shiny sparkling thing in the other direction, or god forbid an AD targeted right at us to suck us down their funnel! Squirrel syndrome lol.
For me, it happens a lot, remembering out of the blue what is happening 20 minutes from now and I just remembered, or my phone alarm went off because I set it to remind me of something.(of course I didn’t put what in the reminder)
It’s the mental “craptrap” that happens and its hard enough for stylists and creative people to focus in a live class, and now we are turning to watching a 13 inch screen or worse, the phone.
So how do we set up for the best scenario knowing all too well what might happen while we are making the effort to learn for a few hours from a great online trainer? Thanks to my trainers, mentors, and my own squirrel head, I am sharing these to hopefully help the stylists and salon teams who make the switch to online learning.
If you have learned about a class your team are all going to attend on zoom, or you registered and paid for a class.(Free classes are a value too!) or you signed up for some virtual learning:
See 10 tips below.
1. Set the date and time in your calendar & mind just as you would a trip to a hotel, classroom, education center, or building to watch the show class or event.
2. If you can go into your salon or space and its closed (like a class scheduled for a Monday at 4pm) then that would be ideal! In our hair environment, we will learn better.
3. Plan to attend like you would “live” , if you are at home to attend the class, Like,get up & sit up at a table or area that’s not your bed or couch.
4. Use a computer to access the class and set it at the same height as your mannequin or table. (Not the phone.) If you have no choice then so be it, use the phone but follow other advice below.
5. Look at the tool list prior to the class if its hands on. You may be able to work along with online class! We, as virtual teachers, are taught to be able to watch you through the monitor now and you can do hands on learning from anywhere!( and be coached on it!) -> Love this.
6. Prior to the class: Remove all distractions , TV off, kids gone, dog handled, roommate, etc. Let your loved ones know you are attending a class.( If its paid or free doesn’t matter.) This is your continuing education. It has value! You are busy and need to focus. ( I usually take my little dog to my neighbor or sisters house because she can be heard and barks at birds lol ).
7. USE A HEADSET. Invest in airpods, a smart mike, beats, anything so you cant hear the airplane flying over, dogs barking outside, ambulances, and more importantly if the trainer calls on you, or you have a question, THEY can hear you! It makes a huge difference when that moment happens. I have made big mistakes with this both ways.
8. Arrive early to the class. Sometimes there’s a” virtual waiting room” and you have to be let in. Or you never know how the leader will be addressing you all. Introducing yourself might lead to making connections or networking with others that you don’t know exists.
9. Keep your camera on. If it’s a zoom and it allows, set to video on and sound on MUTE. You can always unmute if you want to ask something.(Or they will tell you to use the chat feature) In your space make sure you have enough light for them to see you! Check your camera and imagine you are trying to see yourself clearly. Use a ring light or table light. I have a great table light I recommend from amazon.
The list of what I use is on my website shop page under Loris favorite things for stylists. https://lorifudens.com/shop
10. Stay in the entire class. So often the set up helps a student really GET the meat and potatoes when its served! Teaching is a process of layers. Our classes are sometimes built with “save the best to last”. Don’t lose patience and miss the learning. Use discipline and ignore any distractions that pop up. YOU have everything to gain even if you learn one new thing it will be worth it! Keep a notebook and notes for every class to review and share with others in your team if you have one. “IF you ink it, you will think it”. Right? Connect with your accountability partner or team afterwards.