Hairdressing training goes mobile at London launch event

Hairdressing training is an online learning package developed by industry professionals for classroom support of hairdressing and barbering across various awards including the NVQ and Apprenticeships. The photographic step-by-step guides to styling, colouring and cutting techniques, combined with lesson information and handy hints, encourage the benefits of the interactive learning styles available on the Hairdressing Training site.‘Hairdressing Training marks the launch of the first freely available, mobile educational service’.

The new development enables students to have access to the Hairdressing Training learning technologies wherever they may be, via their mobile phone, which further develops the concept of the mobile phone as a learning device.

The content was redeveloped by industry professionals who aimed to bridge the gap between learning in the college and the experiences of the workplace. As an unobtrusive learning tool, they found the capabilities of mobile technology effectively supported this new style of learning engagement.

The system was redeveloped by Mimas - a Jisc/ESRC funded national data centre - and with the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) now providing Hairdressing Training free to all UK further education institutions, the advancement of mobile learning devices appears to further establish the ethos of continual learning in a non traditional environment. The content of the resource continues to be of benefit to FE education professionals, as it is easily downloaded and incorporated into learning materials, course packs, student portfolios, and of course, accessed via a mobile phone.

Jackie Carter, the Mimas Learning and Teaching Manager, commented that: ‘Hairdressing Training marks the launch of the first freely available, mobile educational service’. She also noted that ‘this key achievement in the field of further education, is a truly innovative service, that is sure to lead the way in developing a future use of mobile technology for educational application. She paid tribute to Stuart Smith for his leading work in this area'.

Lorraine Estelle, CEO of Jisc Collections, said that: ‘Creating a service for students to actively and independently engage with learning resources as well as their future industry is an innovative way of managing the student experience. Mobile learning devices enable students to take lessons with them into the workplace, a significant benefit to their further education’.

For further information on: Hairdressing Training