Evaluating Online Shear Courses
Evaluation rubric and checklist for vetting online courses, webinars, and memberships.
Why evaluate digital courses
Virtual education saves travel time and opens access to specialist instructors—but quality varies wildly. A structured evaluation keeps your budget focused on courses that reinforce the Learning Hub, meet credential requirements, and actually shift performance.
Use this framework before purchasing a subscription, renewing a license, or mandating digital training for your team.
Step 1 — Score course credibility
| Criterion | Questions to ask | Evidence to collect |
|---|---|---|
| Instructor expertise | Are instructors active stylists or educators with verifiable pedigrees? Have they taught at respected academies? | Instructor bios, LinkedIn profiles, certification history |
| Curriculum alignment | Does the syllabus map to Learning Hub clusters (tool mastery, maintenance, technique, business)? | Course outline, sample modules, downloadable resources |
| Accreditation & CE | Is the course accredited or recognized by state boards or associations? | CE provider numbers, certificates, approval letters |
| Industry feedback | What do peers say? Check forums, educator networks, or direct references. | Testimonials, peer reviews, case studies |
Record scores in a shared evaluation rubric.
Step 2 — Audit the learning experience
- Platform usability: Test on desktop and mobile. Confirm captions, playback speed controls, and notes export.
- Assessment quality: Look for practical assignments, quizzes, or instructor feedback—video uploads beat multiple-choice.
- Support: Identify how quickly you can get help with access issues or content questions.
- Community: Evaluate discussion boards, office hours, or peer review opportunities.
Step 3 — Confirm technical + legal requirements
- Data policies: Ensure FERPA/GDPR compliance if you store trainee information. Review privacy policies and data residency.
- Accessibility: Ask for WCAG 2.1 compliance statements. Captions and screen-reader support are non-negotiable.
- Licensing: Understand seat limits, concurrent logins, and sharing policies. Clarify copyright on downloaded assets.
Step 4 — Calculate ROI
| Metric | How to calculate | Target |
|---|---|---|
| Cost per learner | (Total subscription cost ÷ number of active learners) | <$300 per learner annually for niche tool content |
| Completion rate | Completed modules ÷ assigned modules | >80% |
| Skill transfer | Pre/post service metrics tied to course focus (e.g., retention, retail) | Positive trend within 60 days |
| CE fulfillment | CE hours earned ÷ required hours | 100% |
Compare ROI against alternative investments (in-person classes, vendor training, mentorship hours).
Step 5 — Launch a pilot
- Select 3–5 stylists to complete the course within a sprint.
- Collect qualitative feedback within 48 hours—what clicked, what confused, what needs reinforcement offline.
- Pair the course with a Learning Hub guide and in-salon drill to cement knowledge.
- Decide whether to scale, negotiate pricing, or cancel before renewal windows.
Documentation toolkit
- Digital course evaluation rubric
- Dashboard metrics tracker
- Training planner template
Next actions
- Preload the evaluation rubric with your current digital platforms.
- Schedule pilot reviews before annual renewals to avoid auto-renew traps.
- Share findings with vendors—quality feedback often unlocks better packages or custom modules.
Rigorous evaluation ensures the courses you buy actually strengthen technique, compliance, and the guest experience.