What I have learned during iVET

On our last contact day in Oulu we thought what we’ve learned during this iVET course. I have to admit that a year ago I thought that I am going to learn very different things than now after the program. I thought I am going to learn some concrete teaching methods that I can easily apply for my work as a vocational teacher. The truth is that I learned some tools but but they just aren’t that easy to apply.

During this program I learned to use different internet-based tools like Padlet, Adobe Connect, Socrative, Blogger, Optima... I also feel much more confident to use different tools in teaching. The second thing I learned is implementation of different learning by doing acts.  I learned that learning is active work. Learner have to be active do work so he/she can learn something. The key of learning is to motivate and activate students to find information and try different things themselves. The third and maybe the most important thing I learned is that I will survive. No matter what I’ll face on my journey. I still can survive. Everything doesn’t have to be perfect I don’t need to succeed every time. If I try my best I’ll do just fine. I can always learn from my mistakes and be able to develop myself. Learning is on-going process and all I have to do is be a part of it.

We made a video with Mikyong about what we’ve learned during iVET. You can watch it here:

http://youtu.be/Xx6mjpHFRSM

Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship

1. Business idea

I had some difficulties with this task. I’ve never considered myself as an entrepreneur and I found it kind of hard to make up a proper business idea. My entrepreneurship and the effort for this task is more like what’s present in everyday life.

If I had my own hair salon it would be something like this.

So my product would be a hair salon where you can have your hair done in very peaceful environment and where he customer will have all the attention of the employees. The thing that states the salon from many other salons is the fact that the salon has few different spaces or rooms. The washhouse and the parlour are two different rooms with soundproofed door between them. Also the cosmetic products used in the salon are healthy, ecological and custom made. No traditional harsh chemicals, artificial fragrances, petroleum based ingredients or oxidizing hair colours are used. All the products are better for people and environment.  The air inside the salon does not smell like ammonia or sulphur compounds.

The salon is focused on cuts, colours and different treatments for hair and mind.

There are few problems or weaknesses in the concept. Not all the needs of the clients can be fulfilled. Perms cannot be done. It’s also hard to find the right customers at the beginning.

The customers will have a peaceful environment, pure conscience and full attention of employees. There won’t be ringing phones, interrupting customers or bad smells. The customers also have custom made products. The hairdresser mixes the exact right products for every customer.

My target customers are mid aged women who need a time off and who are interested in ecological products. They might also suffer hair colour related allergies.

The marketing part is a bit tricky. I’m not that much into marketing but I would have a nice web pages.

It would be difficult to find a perfect place for the salon. Besides the place I also would need some money, around 20 000 euros.

2. What part of this Prezi did you find useful and not so useful?

I really liked you’ve gathered so much good information in one place. Especially I liked those good practises I can adapt to my teaching.

3. Entrepreneurship help organizations?

Here in Espoo region we have plenty of different instances that help entrepreneurs or future entrepreneurs on their journey. Information and advices can be found from Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment or EnterpriceEspoo (YritysEspoo). There is also possibility to take part for entrepreneurship training. For example in Omnia we have Further Qualification for Entrepreneurs and Specialist Qualification in Business Management (formerly Specialist Qualification for Entrepreneurs). The first one mentioned is mainly for starting entrepreneur. During that degree course you will obtain information for example about different instances that help entrepreneurs.

Sustainability

My own definition: Sustainable development is development that does not compromise future generation’s possibilities to enjoy clean environment, different cultures and steady economics.

I have to confess that I have just recently read a few definitions to sustainable development as a part of my other studies.

Defined definition: One should treat others as one would like others to treat oneself.

a. Please explain briefly your own interest in Sustainable Development.

Well, to me environmental values are easiest to understand. The cycle is much more demanding when we are talking about economics or social not to even mention the cultural aspects.

In my life sustainability is present in some parts of it. In a supermarket I almost always prefer organic products although they cost a lot more. I do that because I’m afraid of the chemicals used in non-organic farming. But I also think that those veggies I buy are not that much environment friendly. I think farmers don’t always farm organic way they just put the organic stamp on their products. I do not consume meat because I think people shouldn’t do that. Meat isn’t sustainable or ethical.

I pay extra to my electricity company for wind power so that I can have better self-conscience. I know I should consume less, but it’s harder.

I believe in equality and equal rights but its unbelievable how slowly world is changing.

c. How should one direct, govern and teach sustainable development in schools?

I think schools have to lead by example. It’s important to have well designed recycling system so that the students will learn to recycle correctly. Students should be taught basic economics and cultural aspects. Students need to be taught awareness.

d. How does sustainable development link to your area of work or study? (Think of the three spheres of sustainability: economic, social and environmental) Please give some ideas of how you could combine or apply a sustainability perspective to your subject.

In the field of beauty sustainability is still quite far away. Beauty markets are huge. The chemicals used in different products are difficult things. For example hair dyes are known to be toxic for environment and consumers, they are carcinogenic, allergenic and mutagenic but the use of hair dyes is increasing. Most of the beauty professionals have to give up on their career because of allergies. Beauty products and services are sold using uncertainty and low self-esteem of consumers. Products travel a long distance and the raw materials of those products consume natural resources. Packaging is often heavy and multi-layered.

On the other hand beauty products and services are supposed to make consumers feel better for themselves. At least for a while. Consumers feel more beautiful and wellbeing. Also the selection of organic products is increasing.

In my work I can prepare students to be more aware of those things mentioned earlier. We can focus on alternative ways to do things, to protect ourselves properly, to prefer more eco-friendly products and to make our customers to feel better for themselves. I think awareness is the key.

e. What was especially interesting or even surprising for you in this material (texts, video, and pdfs)?

I really enjoyed how sustainability was demonstrated in the video. Although economical sustainability was demonstrated through environmental values. I kind of expected economical development to be more - economical. I understand that if something costs a lot it usually consumes a lot too. But is it all?

Optional: We would need 3,28 earths is everyone lives like me.

Multicultural activities

1.2

I watched the video provided and read the section of Maritas dissertation.

Culture can be considered as a social, cognitive and symbolic phenomenon. Culture as a social phenomenon can be defined by language, religion, habits etc. It is learned way or acting and communicating in society. Culture as cognitive phenomenon can be considered as a way of thinking and reacting to different stimulus. Culture as a symbolic phenomenon can be referred to language. There are different forms and meanings in different things.

Culture is something that is very hard to explain, its just way of thinking and reacting. We cannot explain our behaviour we are just doing it. It’s not always logical and the origin of believes are hard to trace.

Cultural differences mean that people react differently to cultural things. The form interaction and language depends on cultural background. For example black colour can mean different thing in different cultures.  Black colour can be linked to grief or sorrow, weddings, black magic, celebration etc.

2.1

I interviewed one of my former students who come from Iran. She has done hairdressers degree in Iran but she couldn’t find a job here. She was told to get a Finnish degree so she could have a job here.

She said that the job description is very different compared to the job she had in Iran. The main thing was gender roles. In Iran hairdresser and barber are different professions and the line between those professions is strict. In Finland we’ve been teaching those two profession together for a along time. Gender roles in hair and beauty industry aren’t so strict now.

It’s also very different to treat Nordic hair compered to more central European hair. But the hair care culture is also different Finnish treat their hair differently. Finnish people use hair colors a lot more. Finnish are also willing to pay more for their hair. The buy rather lot and rather expensive products and use them regularly. But they don’t have that much proper hair dos.

The hairdresser I interviewed had took part to reparatory education for immigrants for vocational training.

In Omnia immigrants can participate language training and they have different supportive services.

3.1

Here in Espoo and Omnia we have big plans to conjoin vocational adult education, senior high school for adults and adult education center in 2015. At the moment senior high school for adults offers not only high school education for adults but also general education and even preparatory training for general education. In 2015 all secondary and lower education for adults is available in one place. This is a huge leap forward.

Omnia has its own international affairs department that controls student and expert exchange programs. It also deals with international projects activities. Omnia invests in exchange projects. I’ve also took part a few international projects. I’ve been in student exchange program in the Netherlands and expert exchange program in Estonia. I’ve also taken part in Nordic project to develop sustainable development education in hair and beauty industry. 

In Omnia we don’t have that much training on cultural differences at least concerning hair and beauty department but students participating to exchange programs can took part to language training.

3.2

I think language skills are important when talking about internalization. And by language skills mean also other languages than English. I think everyone should learn at least some languages during their life. Along with languages religions are also important key to understand different cultures. Although you weren’t religious person yourself you still could study basics of different religions.

What methods of assessment can I use and in which contexts?

The assessment has to be based on assessment criteria. Students should not be compared to each other. This is important part of the Biggs’ theory of motivation. Portfolio is good method for assessment when you need to assess the comprehensiveness of the skills of a student. For example if you have to assess how well someone can do hairdos portfolio is good way to do that. Student collects photos and plans of different hairdos he or she has done and demonstrate the skills that way.

When assessing smaller entities observation can be good method. Interviews are good ways to assess theoretical knowledge. Some students may succeed better in written exams compared to interviews but when communicating directly teacher can dig the knowledge out better and the assessment will be more truthful.

How the curriculum directs the development of studies?

The curriculum directs nearly everything teachers have to teach to students or what students have to know at the point of graduation. The curriculum can also include evaluation criteria. The curriculum gives the big picture and teachers have to deal but teachers have to plan the structure and methods themselves. The curriculum also directs the competence based qualifications criteria.

What makes an effective (vocational) teacher?

Being a very effective teacher requires a lot of different abilities and features. Firstly you need to be good with people and you have to able to read people and tune your actions based on your people skills. Secondly you need to know your subject. Thirdly you have to have the knowledge to choose good teaching method based on the current subject and people.