Milady Instructors Making the Most of Distance Learning

Over the last 3 weeks, our Facebook group has had some great discussions about how to effectively deliver distance learning. Many have shared some great ideas on what they are doing, and we wanted to pass them along to you.  Here is a look at some ideas, suggestions, tips and ah-ha’s from various educators over the last few weeks.

Christine D. –  “We are using Zoom and we are doing both theory and practical. Students are practicing on dummy heads while teacher does a demo.  We take attendance during the Zoom class. If they leave or don’t come back after break, they don’t get credit. We log it into our system at the end of the day.”

Yolanda Brown W. –  “Students are performing practical and videoing themselves. I’m demoing via Zoom. My students already have manikin heads and hands with them.”

Sylvina B. –  “I use Pathbrite in Mindtap for practical application. The students can upload videos, and pictures of their work. It’s working so far.  My student was assigned this practical skill based on a YouTube video I loaded in Mindtap. She nailed it. Practical Skill Done!”

Destiny C. –  “My team will do practical demos via livestream and students can join in.  This may change but Zoom works for us right now. I have them mute and unmute when they answer the question.  It’s mandatory that your video is on and I can see you. I preassign questions for review. I encourage the chat. Recording makes great content or can be a way you evaluate yourself and make improvements. I hold all my zooms between 5-9pm because of the kids as well.  We meet Monday, Wednesday and Friday. They must complete interactive assignments before the next meeting day and MindTap activity are continual. It may seem like a lot, but my class can whip through assignments in a heartbeat, so I have to keep them engaged with us.”

Tonya N. –  “Had to do a checklist of what students have at home 1st to allow some creativity on my part to see what they will be able to do besides cutting.  Planning ahead for a 6-hour day works, just stay focused like a regular day makes it easy. Theory, break, theory, lunch, hands on, debrief, end. Videos, FB live, Milady Barberpro, instructor slides, allow them to work on services they know they need while I watch. Planning a look and learn and tell show do for practical.”

Jamie M. –  “We have been using Zoom for the past three days the students really seem to enjoy it allows us to see each other face-to-face.  We are also using the Milady Mindtap software to help continue the student’s education. Love it.”

Christine D. –   “We have been using Zoom for a week and a half. It’s been great so far. We have been following our usual class schedule. It’s a bit of a challenge to fill 4 hours of practical (we are an esthetic school) but it’s giving us an opportunity to do things you wouldn’t do in your usual classroom. Like one practical teacher put on an apron and held class in her kitchen to show the students how to make homemade ‘wax’. The students have been very engaged and forgiving.”

JC A. –  “Just started using zoom, some helpful tips shared with me have been to remind the students to keep chargers nearby, check in periodically through chat box type “here” and I see them in video automatically save chat after each session for attendance records. So grateful for technology.”

Falon Marcel H. –  “We are using zoom.  We use the breakout rooms. We begin in the morning all together in one meeting, do roll call and announcements.  Then we move to breakout rooms (one for Cosmetology and one for Esthetics).  We have 2 instructors per classroom.  (1 is teaching and 1 is monitoring the classroom.) I am the head instructor and I watch the whole day unfold, monitor all classrooms, answer any tech questions, and make sure everyone is following rules and regulations.”

Tonya N. –  “We are on our regular schedule; students sign in at regular scheduled time. I’m able to share videos, we use the instructor support slides to teach a subject then assign work and chapter tests on MindTap.  It’s like being in class. I see them; they see me. We are even able to play Kahoot!”

Katasha P-sci. –  “It’s going great.  We’ve had several licensed professionals join us and are performing services on manakins, self and virtual tours of their establishments. We are also using MindTap (Love) and hands-on.”

Billy H. –  “Zoom and Milady MindTap program is an excellent combination! Everything is integrated well. I recommend planning each class according beforehand and don’t be afraid to add more interactive assignments for your students doing class.”

Brandy Miller P. – “We are using GoToMeeting. I have been assigning several research projects and leave the camera going so I can see them working and be available if they have questions. Over the weekend I assigned each student a 15 to 30-minute presentation over any topic they choose. They must have a visual aid and stand when presenting as if they were teaching the lesson. I really can’t wait to see what they come up with.”

Barbara Klein M. – “I am having students’ video themselves performing their skills and uploading them to google drive and sharing them with me.”

Gina P. –  “Have you tried adding a museum tour to your weblink activities? I’m having students look at elements of design while they visit. Line, form, space, balance, harmony.”

Deborah G. –  “I made up a menu of how many hours each service counted for. i.e.: roller set half-hour to wind and a half-hour for comb out. One-hour total. They have to upload the pictures for me. I also told them not to show me the same picture every time, I would notice.”

Adrienne H. –  “I Zoom every morning with questions on their daily assignments. The pics are of the assignment, mixing of product (where it applies) application of product. then completed service with style. When the service is a haircut, I have to see the sectioning and the guidelines of each section cut. They send all the pics by 4 pm daily.”

Brandy Watson G. –  “We have been doing this (creating a private Facebook group) for about 3 years. We have great student response and participation. I recommend you make it, so the posts have to be approved by admin. It’s also a great way to track students after graduation. They love to post pictures of their licenses and tell you where they are working. Love our student site.”

Ida M.  –  “We’re utilizing google classroom. Focusing on research work such as:

• Research an industry icon (past or present) and write 500 words on why you chose them.  How they have contributed to the industry, what you admire about them, etc.
• Be the Teacher! Find an online video you would use to teach your ‘class’, minimum of 15 minute video, you can choose any subject that would benefit your ‘students’ (communication, teamwork, leadership skills, business management, etc.), then students write why they chose it, three specific things they want their ‘students’ to learn from the video, create 5 questions for their ‘students’ to answer about the video (include your answers).
• Also doing a day of finance classes (budgeting, paying back student loans, etc.)
• This is in addition to regular theory stuff that can be done with Mindtap.”

Barri Jo T. –  “My school is assigning instructors a lesson. We have Google Classroom. We each are going to post a lesson with a power point, review, test and then a hands-on video.”

PA AstroStyle. –  “Here is what we are doing in class today. Today’s challenge is a long hair design with a twist.  You will need to incorporate a surprise element, a kitchen spoon.  You will start work on your long hair design during class time and have it turned in by Sunday at noon.  You will need to turn in 3-4 pictures, front, back and both sides.  We will post pictures on social media and have our community vote. There will be prizes for 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd.”

Nicole Ledet G. –  “We took a regular course Syllabus/schedule and created a MindTap course. This particular schedule was a 20-day class so if they compete all task assigned, they would earn the 6 hours a day just like if they were at school.  We created a Facebook group just for this as well to communicate through.”

Caitlin S. –  “We are doing 3-5 hours a day for each class and then an optional one-hour YouTube live event.”

Jamie M. –  “We have been trying to do fun things like everyone wear a certain color or show pets anything to get more engaged over video.”

Many of you have commented that you used the new Netflix 4-part series “Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C. J. Walker” as a teaching tool. Students watched the series and then were given assignments based on the series.  Here are some of the assignments:

Desiree P. –  “I watched the series and had my students do a report on the series. The main take-a-way I wanted students to understand is how someone can succeed, no matter what your aspiration, even when faced with challenges, circumstances, or obstacles. Which is the mindset of most millionaires. As well as entrepreneurs, they find solutions to problems. Although the movie was not totally factual it taught a very good lesson in persistence, patience and perseverance.”

Charla J. –  “We watched it on Zoom throughout the day today. Had discussions at intervals, then gave them an assignment. Research pioneers in cosmetology and do a small (250 word) report to share with the class tomorrow. There was time to research/write to share our findings tomorrow.”

Most agree that the movie is not historically accurate but does give a good look at Madam Walkers becoming a pioneering businesswoman.  If you are looking for a documentary on her life, several suggested “Two Dollars and a Dream”.

I would like to thank all of you for the participation in our Facebook Group.  This group is for you and we want to make sure we are meeting your needs and providing you a tool that is supportive.  If you have any ideas on what you might like to see, just let us know!  If you have yet to join our Facebook Group, please join today! All you must do is request to join, answer the membership questions, and we will get you added.