As a Medical Esthetics Instructor, I’m always looking for new ways to make learning more engaging, interactive, and meaningful for my students. I believe students learn best when they have opportunities to participate, ask questions, explore ideas, and connect what they’re learning to real-life situations.
Throughout my journey in the Provincial Instructor Diploma Program (PIDP), I’ve been introduced to different teaching strategies and technologies that have encouraged me to step outside my comfort zone and try something new.
One of my favourite discoveries has been Genially, an interactive learning platform that allows educators to create engaging multimedia lessons.
My Interactive Skin Analysis Lesson
For my Media-Enhanced Learning course, I created an interactive activity called Skin Analysis: What Do You See?
Skin analysis is an essential skill in medical esthetics. Students need to learn how to observe the skin carefully, recognize different characteristics and concerns, and use their knowledge to make informed decisions about treatments and skincare recommendations.
Rather than simply presenting information through traditional slides, I wanted students to become actively involved in the learning process.
Using Genially, I created an activity that allows students to explore different skin characteristics through interactive images, clickable information, and questions that encourage them to think critically about what they’re observing.
The lesson focuses on recognizing:
- Skin texture and pore size
- Oil production
- Dehydration
- Breakouts and congestion
- Redness and sensitivity
- Pigmentation
My goal was to create something visually engaging, easy to navigate, and relevant to the practical skills students will use when working with clients.
Explore My Interactive Lesson!
I’m excited to share my finished Genially activity!
Click Here to Explore: Skin Analysis — What Do You See?
As you explore the lesson, you’ll be able to click on different areas, discover information, and work through questions designed to encourage observation and critical thinking.
What I Learned Along the Way
Creating this lesson was a completely new experience for me. Before this assignment, most of my experience with educational technology involved PowerPoint, so learning how to create something interactive was both exciting and challenging.
I really enjoyed discovering how much I could do with Genially. I especially liked being able to add interactive elements that encouraged learners to explore information at their own pace.
One of the most rewarding parts of this experience was sharing my finished lesson with my sister, who works in a clinic. She immediately saw how it could be useful for training staff in skin analysis.
That was a great moment for me because it showed me that something I had created for an assignment could also be useful in a professional setting outside my classroom.
It also reminded me how valuable it is to continue learning and trying new things, even when the technology feels unfamiliar at first.
Moving Forward as an Educator
One of the biggest things I’ve taken away from my PIDP journey is that effective teaching isn’t about using the newest technology or making lessons more complicated. It’s about choosing strategies and tools that genuinely support student learning.
I still believe hands-on practice, demonstration, discussion, and real-world experience are essential in medical esthetics education. However, I’m beginning to see how technology can complement those approaches and create additional opportunities for students to learn.
Moving forward, I hope to continue incorporating interactive activities into my lessons, particularly when teaching visual and practical skills.
For me, the most exciting part of teaching is continuing to learn alongside my students, exploring new ideas, and finding better ways to help them build their confidence and skills.
Learning doesn’t stop when we become educators. In many ways, that’s when it really begins.
Thank you for taking the time to explore my lesson and follow along with my teaching journey!
Kim Oldham
Medical Esthetics Instructor | Lifelong Learner | PIDP Student
