So You Want to Be (or already are) an Online Educator?

Cat, I remember this issue from when I was teaching online. I found most of the last-minute work was not of a very high quality, often rushed, not following directions, or just plain copied from the internet. I do think this is one of the main pitfalls of online teaching as it is generally set up currently -- students are too easily lured into thinking they can make up the work later and somehow magically pass a class. I never found a good solution, either, other than to constantly remind students of the reality of the need to turn in work consistently.

 

online education

I am just learning about online education, but any form of education online or in person is important.

 

Agreed, and welcome! I love the work my SpEd counterpart and I are able to do with our students. We have students who could NOT manage in a traditional school without calling a great deal of unwanted attention to themselves. One has a permanent trach, at least two are borderline non-verbal autistic but can type. It's amazing stuff.

 

I also found online education worked best for those who had a specific reason to be in online school -- they were distracted in class, or bullied, or had a disability, or an activity that demanded a flexible schedule. The kids who were motivated and able to work independently were capable of incredible things. I don't think it's at the point yet where it's a good catch-all for all kids, at least based on the school I was with.

 

Students who learn online need to be much more self-sufficient than traditional students. They don't see their teachers in person, so they may not feel as accountable. They may also confuse the flexibility as an excuse to skip full months of assignments and reading until the last minute. Students who are able to take responsibility for their own learning and work in partnership with their teachers are the ones who flourish.

 

I also curious about the curriculum. However I am convinced that it must be exciting especially pertaining to the time schedule which is can be arranged by yourself.

 

Great thought- because in today's world Its online Trend &
e learning plays an crucial role in education.

 

I wouldn't exactly say teachers can set their own schedule. Students are able to access their schoolwork 24 hours a day (not counting system updates / repairs), but teachers have set office hours. I'm supposed to be available to my students by phone or email at least between 9 and 3:30, and I must make at least nine hours a week of that available in a Collaborate live session.

 

Many of my coworkers with kids do opt for child care at least one or two days a week.

 

Well during the snowy days of Boston my school does offer virtual days.Very useful for stay at home mums

 

There are a LOT of schools that have started Virtual Days during bad weather. I'd love to hear more from teachers who have to make this switch. Unless you have a solid platform for online teaching and an engaged class who will meet you there, it can be a difficult endeavor.

 

What do you find is your biggest issue with tutoring online compared to tutoring in-person?

 

Well, first of all let me congratulate you upon engaging yourself in the online teaching process. You're doing a beatiful thing.

Can't really comment from the teacher's perspective - I'm usually the one who learns From a student's perspective, online courses certainly made a difference in my learning process. I see more and more people prefering watching videos to sitting in a class bored out the mind.

I see education as a never ending process, so online platforms for learning are just what we all need. In the future I see this concept prospering. Think about it - a video explaining basic concepts of calculus or quantum mechanics are available to ANYONE who has internet connection. I can only imagine what it be like in 20-30 years. Perhaps we will go learning in a special virtual reality in order to get the most out of the learning expierience. This would add extra dimension to the whole process.

So far I've completed two courses on Coursera, watched plenty ammount of videos on KhanAcademy and I'm planning to finish a course on Electrical Circuits on edx.

I'm really looking forward to what online education will have to offer in the future.

 

Being an online tutors I get the chance to teacher courses that provides student’s prospective with an opportunity to develop the skills and experience. Online students always look for effectively teaching techniques. As a student I found it very useful because it gives me the opportunity to develop new skills for learning during my undergraduate and postgraduate-level courses. Summing it up I would say that online learning will become very popular in the future because organizations are now involved that continues to encourage you to gain Professional Development. Before you sign up make sure that online learning is for those who wish to improve the effectiveness of their distance learning courses

 

For anyone who is considering getting into distance / online learning or who is still finding your voice in your virtual classroom, I recommend this book. I've been teaching online since 2008 and am still finding new ideas and approaches. My co-teacher recommended it to me, and I'm passing it along.

 

^^^
Thank you so much.

 

Yes of course if it's possible.

 

If what is possible?

 

i've been following this thread... very interesting dialogue!

 

I just completed an online teaching methods course through my employer that now qualifies me to teach online course with my school division. Yeah!

 

That is fantastic! I am envious of schools that use more of a blended learning environment and have been advocating for more drop-in centers for our students. Again, I really recommend Golden Climate in Distance Learning as a resource.

 

I see education as a never ending process, so online platforms for learning are just what we all need. In the future I see this concept prospering. Think about it - a video explaining basic concepts of calculus or quantum mechanics are available to ANYONE who has internet connection. I can only imagine what it be like in 20-30 years. Perhaps we will go learning in a special virtual reality in order to get the most out of the learning expierience. This would add extra dimension to the whole process.
Online Work From Home

 

In earlier days this is not the part of the education system, but now the total scenario has changed completely. Each and folks are interested in online education. In-fact in many of the school this education system is using.

 

I really wish I would have seen this forum awhile back as I just completed my first year as an Online Teacher. My school also uses Blackboard, but we are looking at changing to Jigsaw. I think that our school is a little different in the sense that students are required to attend 'live' classroom sessions everyday. However, we also record our classes too. I am looking forward to collaborating with other Online Teachers as even going into my 2nd year of teaching I feel like I am still learning. Thank you!!

 

Teaching for a K-12 Independent Study Charter school

I'm not certain if this applies to this thread but here goes. I just got a contract for a K-12 independent study program at a charter school. I am just getting back into teaching after I lost my contract 4 years ago so I am really excited and will teach just about anything. I am so happy to be teaching again even if it isn't in a traditional classroom. I just feel a little apprehensive telling my old teacher friends because I don't want it to be looked down upon because I will be teaching one on one instead of a whole classroom. Any thoughts about this?

 

Are the students going to be with you in a classroom, or are they going to be learning in a different location from you? There are independent study schools where the students and teachers are all in the same place, but the students work on computers while the teachers are more "guides to the side".

 

Gosh, I'm not really sure. I was so excited to get a new contract I didn't care what it was for or how it was done. Lol! I've tried to look at the school website but it doesn't really give a lot of info. I remember them telling me in the interview that I would have a case load and I would get to meet with my students once a week for one hour. If they needed specific tutoring like Math, then we have a specialized Math teacher they can go to after I am through with them. They didn't say anything about online teaching. :dunno:

 

OH! You were looking for the New Jobs thread. I'll add you to that.

 

Lol! I guess there isn't a thread for the Independent Study Teachers. We don't quite fit the mold for regular classroom teaching and we don't fit here either. Thanks anyways.

 

The thread is titled, "So You Want to Be (or already are) an Online Educator?". I started it for that purpose. If you want to start a thread for Independent Study teachers, that's fine. I teach online, but I'm a 9th grade ELA teacher, so I have a defined field of study. If your work was for distance learners over the Internet, that would definitely bring you back to this thread.

 

I just accepted a position as an online educator! It is a hybrid program, where students meet with me twice a week for 1/2 day project-based learning activities, and 1/2 day sailing instruction!! So excited but super nervous at the same time. I am stepping into totally new territory for next year. Really excited to learn all I can!

 

That sounds SO amazing! I've hoped for my school to offer some blended learning classes. Looking forward to hearing about what you do.

 

Only a few weeks until my school is back online. Unlike traditional schools, I have to wait until the URL for my virtual classroom is created before I can go in and set up my lessons and other fun stuff. Sometimes it's frustrating that I don't have things ready to go already! I will probably have to manually load a lot of extra pages (I like making my own videos to supplement the lessons), but it's worth the effort.

The craziest thing about starting a new year is only having voices and no faces most of the time. It takes a while, but I'll eventually start creating mental images of my students (although I'm usually far off) based on their voices and personalities. I really need to create a classroom FaceSpace or something like that.

 

I just wanted to say thank you for this thread. With the information provide I know online teaching is the next step for me. I have taken online classes for my Master's degree and have held a few work from home positions and loved the opportunity. Working in the field I love plus doing it mostly from my home office will be such a blessing. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

 

So glad to hear it! My hope is that EVERYONE who teaches online or in a blended learning environment will keep telling their stories on here. We're a growing minority.

 

It's a little of both. On the one hand, if one or more students are typing things that are off-topic in my chat, I can turn off chat for them or for everyone so they can concentrate on the information I'm giving them. On the other, those students can simply log in to my class and then walk away from their computers. I cannot stop them. When I'm running a live teaching session, I will often "poll" my students. For example:

"Okay, give me a green check if you have already completed the assignment for today. Give me a red X if you were waiting for me to explain what we're doing."

The students who are paying attention simply have to press a button to show they're with me. It is rarely 100% audience participation, but it at least informs how I will present my lesson.

 

Hi! I am just wondering where you teach online? My husband and I are both teachers in CA and looking into various online schools to possibly teach at one day. Any suggestions? Thank you for the help!

 

CA online teaching options?

Question for Stampin' Teacher:

Hi! I am just wondering where you teach online? My husband and I are both teachers in CA and looking into various online schools to possibly teach at one day. Any suggestions? Thank you for the help!

 

I'm in a charter school in Ohio. It's not a national franchise like Connections Academy or K12, so it's not one that would be in California as well.

 

Great piece of writing, I really liked the way you highlighted some really important and significant points. Thanks so much, I appreciate your work.