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

Hi,

I just read through this thread and wow, so much information.

I've seriously considering making the switch to being an online educator. I've been teaching in the classroom for a while - middle school and high school - and am looking for a change.

I've done some preliminary research, and was disappointed to see there wasn't much need in my state. I'm in Massachusetts.

Since I am not thinking of switching until next school year, is there a best time to look for positions? Or am I out of luck in my state?

Of course, I also teach social studies/history, which no ones seems to want.

 

There is a strong chance you'll see growth openings mid-year in all major subjects. Most online schools have rolling admissions, and a lot of students may decide to make the switch after a quarter or semester in a more traditional setting.

Keep an eye on the individual schools that have your interest as well as on your state's Department of Education job bank. Personally, when I was applying, I found the nationally franchised schools had a more annoying application process than the regional ones, but that was strictly my own experience.

In the meantime, I suggest you practice your skills with Excel and PowerPoint. I use both on a constant basis and had to pass a test showing mastery of them, as well as Word.

 

There really isn't a place for me here, either. I teach one on one with an online curriculum which I augment as necessary for each student. I am mostly on location with my students at a tennis academy, but we Skype when they travel. The company I work for has about 60 kids with online full-time courses and tons more kids for regular tutoring. I love the close relationships I get to develop with my students.

 

That is VERY similar to what I do with several of my students. One is in an off-Broadway show and another is with a ballet company. Much of my online work is actually done individually over the phone. I like to say that I have 160+ classes with one student.

 

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 experience.

 

Yes, but a relationship with a teacher or tutor can help bring it to life and make it relevant to a student. That relationship may be the most important part of the educational process. Catnfiddle, it is so nice to know that someone knows what my form of teaching is all about. One question - why do you use the phone rather than Skype? It helps when the students are as committed to their education as to their sport or art, but that doesn't always happen. One of my kiddos is ranked number one nationally in her sport and I wish some of that determination would spill over a bit! But, the ability to address each child as an individual is so important and gratifying.

 

I'm not sure the majority of our students have access to webcams. That being said, we have a TERRIBLE time using phones a lot of the time because not all students have them.

Perhaps this is something I can put forward to our leadership team, at least for voice connection outside of our Blackboard program.

 

If they have cell phones, they can Skype on them, but we all use our computers. In fact, when I Skype at home , I use 2 laptops on the table. One open to the lesson, one to the student. The students have to show their screens to me. And we use Google docs for writing assignments. Do you use your state's curriculum? My kids use either Laurel Springs or Mizzou. I'm not too thrilled with either one, but I make the best of it.

 

My problem is that I need a way to contact my students who don't have a phone. Currently, I don't have an active Skype account (I took it off my work and home computers). I don't care if my students can see me / can be seen, but I DO need a way to reach them by voice. I'll contact the Tech Desk and ask them if school computers can have Skype. My worry is that the answer is a strong "no" because then they can be contacted by outsiders and possibly do some stupid things. We keep our kiddos rather sheltered.

 

Can you use Google Hangouts? It works about the same as Skype. You could also use Google Voice which I think you can use to call a computer (not sure about that though).

 

My school doesn't allow Google for student desktops. They don't seem to have Skype either. REALLY need to find alternative for our students without telephones.

Tomorrow is Online Learning Day in Ohio. I'm looking forward to meeting teachers from online schools all over the state as well as students. This should be an amazing day!

 

If memory serves, several Virginia districts also offer blended learning options for students. And yes, you're right that any school affiliated with k12 requires an application through their main site, not through the individual school.

 

I am a new teacher and I would like to teach at a virtual academy. My only problem is that I have a preliminary teaching credential. I would like to get my credential cleared within these next couple years.

 

I was in a similar boat when I started at my school. They have an outstanding mentoring program that fulfills state requirements. Look into whether the school that has your interest offers a similar support for their beginning teachers.

 

Browsing this thread, I see at one time there was a New Jobs thread/list for online teaching positions. I'd love to be added if this still exists, as I see this as a great option for me both professionally and personally!

 

That was a list for teachers who had recently been hired so we could celebrate them in one central thread. There is no job bank on this forum. If you're looking for work in an online school, your best bets are to check in your state's Department of Education job bank or to research which online schools are in your state. Some allow you to teach from home anywhere in the state, while others require you to work out of a centralized office.

 

Hello all!
Firstly, I love this forum and the whole thought of teachers and soon to be teachers getting together and discussing things.

I have a few questions. I am currently in New Jersey. and pursuing my B.A in Elementary Ed. I guess my question is, if I plan on leaving the state after my B.A and moving to Oregon to teach, does it make more sense for me to obtain the B.A and certificates there? Or should I just finish up my degree in New Jersey and then go to OR and get a certificate and attend graduate school as I teach? I honestly need some direction in this matter. Any responses would be helpful.


Thanks

Geez

 

I would research the requirements in both states. Personally, I earned my certificate in Pennsylvania and promptly moved to Ohio, not realizing they required an additional test. It slowed my credential transfer while I scheduled and took the PLT, then waited for the results. It might have been easier to do the certification work in my new state, but I was working full-time in my former state and was able to support myself and save up to cover my student teaching semester before moving.

 

Super helpful! Thanks a bunch! I'm just so ready to be teaching already!

 

i used to give online courses and tips in Tech field, i liked it 50% only. But i stil do it

 

I am interested to teach online too if u need anything ill be happy to do it. I have 24 years of experience in education feild and i am relaxing at hone for this year. I am ready for any help. And if u consider openning classes to teach arabic as its my native language i am ready for it

 

That is really cool! Unfortunately, I am merely a fellow teacher in my school and have no say over hiring. That being said, I think Arabic should be an offered language in high school, but we only offer Spanish and French at this time. Three of my students are Muslim and read / write it as a secondary language.

 

Very cool! What grade / subject?

 

This whole thread has been so interesting! So many varied life skills and locations but, one thing I have consistently seen is that you all care so so much about your students.
I am still a student myself and am taking online courses as part of my undergraduate degree in Educational Studies.
I know someone mentioned this briefly in a previous post but, do you guys see opportunities for online schools expanding? Do you see online programs becoming available through the public school systems? Or do you think it will only continue in more private school settings and collegiate level classes?
And, just out of Curiosity, did any of you now currently teaching take online classes?
Thanks so much for all of your thoughts! Can't wait to keep up with this discussion and see what happens. :]

 

I completed my graduate degree online through a state university. MANY colleges have online options. Now I'm taking a class here and there to add to my CE credits and possibly earn an additional certification.

As for online schools expanding, I definitely see opportunities, but there needs to be a great deal of vigilance. There are at least two online schools in my state who are in major trouble for playing fast and loose with their enrollment / attendance numbers. The toughest part of online teaching is making sure students are held accountable for logging in and engaging in their assignments.

 

I recently did online courses with Educatam, there are 4 subjects on offer I think, I did handwriting and voice care and communication skills. I paid 65euro I just decided to do these 2 as there are no courses available at that price, and there are 5 lessons and mcq at the end of each lesson which was fine, they weren't difficult, you have 4 weeks to complete the course. Seems to be gauged for parents and younger teachers.

Interesting courses, very precise and to the point, which I liked, and very interesting to me, is that it was written by a teacher, not set up by a businessman like most are.


I didn't see any links to facebook or twitter but I am sure it will be advertised in a newspaper or google search which is where I found it. I am teaching only a few years, but recently started in junior school and needed some extra help without buying loads of books or travelling to different courses around the country.

Im gonna go back in the summer and do the speech and language course.

 

I am interested to venture in online school someday!

 

Thanks for the info. Lots of great tips here.

 

How do you become an online teacher? I am interested but can't find how?

 

Hit Google for "online charter schools" in your state. Not every state has them. If yours does, the search will give you a list of schools. You can also check your state's department of education for a teaching job bank. Many of them would list the type of position as "work from home".

 

Ok thank you!

 

I already am an online teacher but I freelance. I use the WizIQ online whiteboard for teaching. Live interaction ( both audio and text ) gives me a feeling as if I am teaching face to face. Since I can upload content any time before and after the class begins so I am prepared for the class beforehand. Viewing the recording is great for revision work and clearing doubts if any. Media player is great tool to include resources from the net. In short, I enjoy teaching online even more than face to face classes.

 

Question is it possible to do both, teach online and teach in person? Anyone ever tried it?

 

If you're talking about tutoring or perhaps teaching on the university level as well as K-12, that's one thing. If my school caught you trying to teach at two places at once, you would have to give up one or the other. It's too much of a conflict of interest, not to mention a time suck.

 

Unless there is a conflict of interest I do not think there should be any problem. For example you may work for an institution as off line teacher and in your free time coach students online.

 

Ive thought about doing online teaching but not sure how it would work with science/labs. Ill have to talk to more online science teachers!

 

I cannot speak for all schools, but I've sat in on a physical science teacher's class that used Gizmos through ExploreLearning. They had at least one lab a week, and it was fantastic to watch!

 

Online Teaching? How does it work?

 

Read some of the earlier posts. I've written pretty extensively. I can happily answer any questions.