Journals

“There are few educators who would disagree with the principle that lifelong learning is a good thing but the important questions are about the types of learning that the concept promotes, the life that it encourages us to lead, who benefits from this and the nature of the society that it upholds.”

Objective

I have learned that educators have a very important role in the lives of adults, and this role extends beyond the classroom.  By understanding the principles of andragogy and encouraging self directed learning educators can impart far greater skills beyond the ones they are directly teaching. For example,  I hope to not only show people how to cut hair, but how to continuously strive to learn more every day by teaching them skills to interact with their environment and constantly glean new, helpful information which not only makes them better hairstylist but more educated people. But it’s not the idea of lifelong learning that caught my attention, instead the last part regarding benefits and the nature of society. I believe that teaching in this manner will elevate not only my industry but the community that I live in.

Reflective

This quote describes the effect teachers of all disciplines have regarding the ability to lift society and it is a power that should not be taken lightly. It is a very powerful position that one has, to be trusted to guide the lives of others and to inspire learning and the constant acquisition of knowledge.  Teachers 

Interpretive 

This quote reminded me that as an educator I will have the ability to make a change in society. I will rely on motivational techniques (I am highly influenced by Wlodkowski’s motivational strategies)  to connect with my students and provide a safe learning environment. In this way I hope to create a thirst for knowledge that will fuel passionate stylists who have the skills to be successful. Successful, passionate people are generally happy people, which benefits society as well.

Decisional

I am reminded that we all live in communities and societies that can benefit  from educational experiences. Anecdotally speaking, the more educated a population is, the happier and healthier it is. And once someone is taught how to learn and encouraged to make use of their informal learning skills, they will continue to use them in various applications to acquire more and more knowledge. And the more knowledge they acquire the better they are equipped to deal with the challenged faced by the general population. The world is becoming and increasingly complicated environment and having the practice and skills to learn is probably the most important knowledge one can have. So, I will constantly try to remind myself not to only teach the course matter, but also attempt to always give more in the way of how to continue learning after the class ends. An example would be providing specific social media accounts to follow or what websites offer supplemental information.


“adults are problem-centerer, not subject entered, and desire immediate, not postponed application of the knowledge learned.” (p.53)

Objective

Thinking about past experiences regarding adult education has given this quote even more strength for me. Learning things as an adult, especially in regards to career training, has been a refreshing experience when compared to learning as a child/young adult in the formal school system. When I am learning a new technique that will be applicable in my daily job, I am always grateful when educators get to the point and give me as much information (or more!) that I need to feel confident enough to complete the task. I am also always willing to pay more for classes that have a hands on component because it is very helpful to apply the new knowledge when the educator is present and build the confidence right away.

Reflective

I realize that is imperative that my students bring models to class and perform the haircuts I teach them immediately so that we can work out any misunderstandings that they may have. It is not enough for me to teach a haircut and not have them perform it right away.

Interpretive

When reading this quote I realize that my students will be coming to my classes because they are having issues with a specific technique and are going to want concrete, applicable answers, instead of just learning for the fun of it. For example, I am teaching a workshop on “freehand hair painting” later this month and my students will likely  have had experience with the technique and will be searching for various answers for problems they have encountered. In order for me to be prepared I will have to anticipate all of the problems they may have encountered and have prepared answers for them. Also, I will have to prepare mannequin heads and appropriate tools for them to try the techniques immediately after learning them.

Decisional

When teaching adults it is important not to waste their time. They have sought out my class for a reason and I need to provide them with material they can use. I just always want to remember that when teaching and not hold back any information that could possibly help them, respecting that they might be at the class for different reasons. At the beginning of each class I will be sure to find out when each individual is looking for and verify at the end of the class that they have had all of their questions answered. Also, I will try to include a hands-on component to all of my future classes.


“...tests and grades are anathema to andragogy, which assumes adults are capable of self-evaluating their own learning.” (p.57/58)

Objective

Although I will have to include tests in my hairstyling program in order to make sure my students are at a certain level to move forward, my workshops will definitely not be tested. In my industry hairstylists are tested every time they do someones hair and so there is no need for formal testing. Once you are an adult, life becomes a series of tests so it makes sense that adults become quite capable of self evaluation when it comes to their learning.

Reflective

This quote makes me realize that it is myself the educator that will be tested every time I give a class, instead of the other way around. Especially when it comes to my small workshops, it is somewhat irrelevant how I would grade my students. However, my ability to provide them with usable techniques and information is how I will be “tested” informally.

Interpretive

This quote makes me feel even more positive in regards to being an adult educator. Tests are often stressful situations for many people and in the real world they don’t have much significance. However, it makes the job of an educator that much more important because it goes beyond teaching a student to pass a test. An educator needs to inspire them to be confident and to perform tasks that will help them succeed in their life.

Decisional 

In the future I will not be able to teach at my academy without using tests in order to make sure my students are staying on track with the program. However I will reinforce the idea that they are somewhat arbitrary and teach them about adragogy in order for them to realize that they are lifelong learners and I am here to facilitate and motivate them to move in this direction. Just because they may or may not be capable of passing a test is not the only factor in their success. It will be important for my students to realize that they need to develop skills to self evaluate because that is what they will need to continue to do after their program has finished. For the students taking my workshops, I am going to assume that they are already on this path and I will do all that I can to further encourage them.


“The flipped classroom is... essentially reversing the traditional order... this approach fits adult educations’s values of active learner engagement and self-direction.” (p. 207)

Objective

I had not previously considered using the flipped classroom as a method for teaching but now that I reflect upon the quote it might be useful in my situation. Studying lectures and haircutting dvd’s will be homework for my student and we will be doing mostly applied techniques in class, so it might even be naturally built into my program. However, with web technology there might be the possibility of teaching more content online using podcasts in order to minimize the time spent at school, which could possibly benefit my students who work other jobs in addition.

Reflective

I realize that teaching methods are becoming more and more open ended because of the internet. It also reinforces the importance of providing lots of hands on time during school hours because that is the part that cannot be replicated by the internet, especially when it comes to learning a physical craft.
One can spend hours and hours watching and listening about doing hair, but until they do it with their hands under the guidance of an instructor, it is almost impossible to learn to do well. It emphasizes the importance of the physical school.

Interpretive

This quote definitely reinforces the fact that the possibilities are endless when it comes to providing education at this time. Although had not previously considered the flipped classroom, it does provide food for thought. It could become a part of the formal program at the academy or more of an informal learning component. I will definitely be encouraging the use of social media in the program and this could become part of that aspect. By creating content myself and having them learn and interact with it would be somewhat of a flipped classroom if it was able to replace some of the lectures.

Decisional

I will remain open minded when it comes to how much of the course takes place online outside of regular classroom hours. I do believe that the more hands on practice my students have the better hair stylists they will be so I will definitely consider an online component that they could learn from at home to reduce the time spent on lectures during precious classroom hours. I will also be brainstorming how to include the flipped classroom element in the workshops I offer to experienced stylist; it would be possible to do the demonstration via podcast and reserve the classroom time for them to complete models as I realize that applying the knowledge is one of the most important aspects of andragogy.