Katie Barnes explores the value of online learning for nails
By Katie Barnes | 24 November 2020 | Feature, Training
Use your time wisely between appointments and during any ‘down time’ by broadening your knowledge and skillset through online classes.
During times such as lockdown, online learning has proven really beneficial. There are many online classes available – from paid and free business mentoring and webinars to technical skill building and beginner classes. Figure out what you want to improve on. Is it your technical skills, or do you want to learn a variety of nail art techniques or one specific one, do you need to improve financial and business knowledge?
We live in such a fast paced world in which more and more is available online so it is a surprise that online learning has not been as popular as it is now. Since lockdown, online learning has become essential and now it’s here, it’s here to stay. The way the world is moving, it works for everyone.
The benefits of online learning
Online courses offer individuals greater control over their own learning by enabling them to work at their own pace. Online tutorials can offer more engaging content, the ability to re-watch and repeat and access to tutors and fellow classmates via online chat and education forums. There is also less likelihood of outside scheduling conflicts including children being off school, which can affect face to face attendance.
While classroom learning is still valued in today’s modern world, many people no longer need or want to be tied to a particular place or time to learn new skills. An online class provides convenience. Online training accommodates students by allowing them the flexibility to attend learning at a time and location that is convenient for them.
What to consider before signing up
Firstly, you need to be clear about your own learning objectives. You need to analyse what you wish to learn to successfully choose the correct kind of online course.
Calculate the time required to successfully dedicate to your online courses against the time you have available.
Find out how the class is it carried out. Is it live or pre-recorded? If you want to learn more about social media, then a live or pre-recorded webinar is perfect, however if you want to refresh on a particular nail art skill where live time questions are likely, then a live class online can be more beneficial.
Check if there is a time scale to complete it or do you have lifetime access to complete in your own time frame?
Free lives provide a taster but if you want to master a skill invest in a planned and specially created online programme.
When choosing online education for technical skills, choosing an educator with a formal teaching qualification and an abundance of experience in their field is absolutely paramount.
Professional filming and quality is also an essential element to consider because without this the intricate detail may be unclear and therefore difficult to follow.
Many courses don’t need to be accredited such as skill building classes because you are already qualified in that technique. These are just skill building classes to improve on those already accredited skills. Business classes and webinars don’t need to be accredited but can contribute to your CPD.
With all training, especially online, you get what you put in.
What’s out there
There is an abundance of training out there from short online webinars to complete technical skill qualifications. A quick Google search will highlight these.
- If you are interested in HR or financial skill building, HMRC offers a variety of free online seminars.
- To update your hygiene skills, Barbicide offer a free online certification in their product knowledge.
- HABIA and The Guild have built online courses in Emergency First Aid at Work, COVID Infection Control GDPR and Mental Wellbeing sessions.
- Masced have created a Melanoma and Skin Skin Cancer Early Detection certification.
- The British Safety Council offer a variety of business related courses under £15 including GDPR, Fire Safety, Stress Awareness, Health & Safety for Managers, Risk Assessments and much more.
To engage and learn tips from and with other industry peers, there are many offering live sessions on social media channels. Whilst these aren’t certified, you can pick up some useful tips. Many brands including Bio Sculpture and Sweet Squared are also offering free live tutorials or conversion courses using their products.
Throughout November, I am running several online courses including beginner courses; refresher workshops and business classes such as how to become an educator and social media for nail businesses.
I have also collaborated with Sam Biddle and five other educators to create 30 nails in 30 days. This course will teach you a different set of skills giving nail professionals a range of application techniques and nail knowledge.
Each of the educators have provided five lessons spanning Nail Art and Refining of Foundation Skills For The Salon, Portraiture, Fantasy, Mixed Media, Watercolour, Extreme Shapes, 3D work, Character Painting and Crystal Application all for just £55 + VAT when purchased during November.
The course and the lessons will be available at the Be Inspired Online Academy account for life. So if you don’t manage to finish each lesson you can revisit in the future as often as you want. I also have a selection of free tutorials on my Youtube channel.
Keep your hand in your trade and take now as the time to learn a new skill or hone a current one.
Love Katie B x