Evaluation of session 1 of Moving Forward with confidence

'Moving Forward with Confidence' is a short course by Patricia Cleghorn designed to help students to build their self-esteem. I am evaluating short courses in self-esteem run alongside Full time courses for my MA in Education. I hope to write about the results for my 20'000 word dissertation. It's an important issue as I have seen many students qualify as hairdressers and then not practise as they are too nervous.

Before going into FE in 2006. I worked for 5 years as a workplace assessor. I was responsible for running training sessions with students for different companies from six hairdressing salons. These students all worked in the salon during the week and trained with me once a week. During that 5 years I had 6 students who qualified as hairdressers and then quit to go into jobs in retail as their nerves got the better of them.

I often wonder how many do the same thing after training full time at the college. Surely they must be even more nervous when they have not worked in a real salon...

Today was session one of the self-esteem course and it went quite well. I arrived to find the classroom locked which was a bit of a hassle as I had to call security to open the door, but luckily I was early so it didn't really disrupt things too much. The students where a little opposed to the idea, but warmed to the idea of self-esteem training once I explained the benefits. I followed the instruction written by Patricia and played her CD.
Last year I received training on teaching this course and I must say today was relatively easy and straight forward. I avoided asking the students to speak about their levels of self-esteem as I was worried it maybe difficult for them. Instead I asked them to write comments anonymously on post it notes. Their comments were quite good, they ranged from "relaxing techniques were useful" to "helps to relax and boast myself"

As a regular Buddhist Meditator, an NLP practitioner and a self proclaimed Self-help guru, I have no problem closing my eyes and listening to a self-esteem boasting CD with relaxation techniques and calming music, but even I found it a little uncomfortable with the class.

It was difficult to close my eyes and 'meditate' on a hard classroom seat, with a giggly class, noises from the corridor, bright strip lights overhead and the sound of the toilets flushing next door. This could possibly be improved with an alternative room in a more peaceful location, perhaps with candles even better a room with a dimmer switch. I would bring some candles in, but I fear that it may set the fire alarm off or violate health and safety rules. The classroom doesn't have any windows otherwise it may have been possible to open a window and light a candle. I did think I could bring a lamp in from home.

L'Oreal Hair demo / show (last night)

Here's what the Evolution team were showcasing last night: The 'tavel journal' collection...

Update

Hi all,



Hope your all having a go and blogging or google websiting!!! it's great always happy to help if you have any quieries.



Haven't really written much lately as have been choca with tutoring three groups this year, no admin day, Uni essays, mentoring a new member of staff and being IV coordinator. Plus I have been working on fast tracking 2 groups of NVQ Level 1 students to NVQ level 2 (never again!!!)



One thing I have been doing is putting lots more resources on my student website. It is working really well with all of my three tutor groups working from the website. It's also been great for those students who have missed lessons as all my resources are on there. Other staff have been using the resources too and have even directed their students to the site for extra revision.



Last October I bought a USB camera which has also been great. I have been photographing demos and outstanding work and uploading these to the site which has really worked. My recent step by step guide for the uniform layer has really helped all three classes to grasp this difficult
cutting technique. The only problems I have are with uploading video. As it's an HD camera and filming in 1080p the quality is amazing (I took it to Brussels before Christmas and got some great vids), however the demos I have been filming in class are just too big to upload.



When I get a spare moment (ha ha) will have to edit them on iMovies



All the best and happy blogging R:-)

PS I have just started a module on leading and managing people in education at uni and have been passed these links. I like the first one the best it's a bit long to read but if you are short on time click on the link, scroll down and read the bit at the bottom it's a great idea for staff training. It's action planning really but I guess if we spent staff training thinking up student-centred goals and then narrowing them to specific aims it would be very useful. I would love to use it with staff training however, the problem I always have with being IVC for hair is getting CPD which is technical, i.e. related to our field.

Improving school performance management can improve learning
http://www.teachingexpertise.com/articles/improving-school-performance-management-can-improve-learning-3888

Appraisals not altering teachers
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/appraisals-not-altering-teachers-1447619.html

Personal Leadership training (19 - 1 - 10)

An excellent training day where we learnt lots of great techniques for dealing with problems within out practice. We were given opportunities to discuss practice and we learnt some really useful relaxation techniques. Our teacher and Author for the day was Patricia Clegborn, who has lots of experience and training within this field.

Great, can't wait till part 2 in March

Afro hair show 2009

Excellent styles demonstrated in the student common room

Salon International 2009

Here are some sensible pictures from salon international 2009 on Monday some less sensible ones can be found on my student website along with the photos of my 30th Birthday!! http://sites.google.com/site/ryansclasses/

Jailer or Teacher

Having just embarked on a new module at Roehampton Uni, International Perspective in Profession Practice in Education (IPPPE), we were encouraged to be reflective about our teaching jobs. One lady described herself as being a 'gate keeper'! who occasionally gets to teach. Others felt swamped under with paper work or isolated from other teachers and also unable to reflect on their effectiveness. Some even blamed colleagues for avoiding collaborating. However most felt that the curriculum was far too restrictive to be able to experiment much. My thoughts or reflections of this is that with out the curriculum we could not have any standardization... and of course it would be the students that suffer...