Taking BTI into the 21st Century

The world is changing, and nowhere is this more evident than in the world of Education.

In today’s classrooms, educators have realised that students learn best when they are taught to their own unique style and ability.  An effective 21^st century educator has the ability to teach and reach all learners using each characteristic and skill of individual students in the classroom.  That means being able to differentiate learning so that all students can learn, using their own unique style and/or by their ability or readiness level.

A large proponent of 21^st Century learning is making the shift from direct instruction to student-centred guided Instruction.  We at the group of Beauty Therapy Institute colleges like to use the term ‘A Guide by the Side, rather than a Sage on the Stage’ when teaching our students. Which is the student-centred Guided Instruction method.

Guided instruction learning is an active and social experience.  Students learn best from their interactions with the world, in our case with clients.  With guided instruction, our students take an active role in the educational process and the instructor acts as a facilitator or guide helping the students to learn from their experiences.  

Direct instruction learning is a method in which the educator uses lectures and/or demonstrations to teach course material.  Direct instruction methods are primarily used to convey information, where the educator stands at the front of the classroom and presents information about a subject or shows students how to complete a task with very little or no participation from students.  As a result, direct instruction is an instructor-centred model of teaching where students need to learn at the speed of the general class, and not at their own pace of learning.  We use some forms of Direct Instruction with our demonstrations of Practical skills.  

One of the most innovative concepts the Beauty Therapy Institute introduced to the Beauty training industry in 1996 was the method of modular, student-centred learning.  Rather than prescribing that all students study the same subjects, by sitting in desks at the same time, listening to a lecture, we introduced the very forward-thinking concept of student-centred learning.  Our students study what they want, when they want, with an educator guiding them through their practical work and theory at their own pace.  Assessments are undertaken when the student is ready to take it, rather than on a set date, suiting our needs. In this way, we are able to reach every student on their level, enabling them to achieve their personal best.

Probably the most significant change we are seeing in the 21^st Century Classroom is the use of technology for teaching.

Technology allows for more active learning. Subject matter is dynamic and timely with digital textbooks that are able to embed videos, assessments, Powerpoints, links to the most up-to-date information and up-to-date assessments.   Whether adding a single tool for a specific project or making a more dramatic change, such as a flipped classroom.  

With technology in the classroom, students have instant access to fresh information being pushed into their E-books which supplements their learning experience.  Being well-versed in technology helps build credibility with students, and allows for mobile, and effective learning.

It is for these reasons that Beauty Therapy Institute has taken a bold step forward to become digital.
We are moving all of our learning material over to E-Books with the partnership of a world-class, industry leader ITSI, an EdTech company that has a patented solution to bridge the gap between traditional and technology-based teaching.  This will make our students learning visible, measurable, collaborative, integrated and mobile.  All of our E-books will be available via an App on mobile, tablet and/or laptop varieties of systems.  If it is a Smart Device, it is possible.

We are confident that our move towards 21^st Century Learning will pave the way for the future of our students, making us even more effective in #ShapingBeautifulCareers, bringing #BeautyOnDemand, through #BTI.

Blog written by Merril Elvey, Business Manager of:

Sandy Roy Beauty Therapy Institute group of colleges.

Merril Email:  bti@beautytherapyinstitute.co.za or phone: +27 78 562 8935.

For further information on the Beauty Therapy Institute group of training colleges, student enrolments and franchising, please email Merril on admin@beautherapyinstitute.co.za or call: 

+27 78 562 8935.