It has been said numerous times in various ways that nothing can succeed without a solid foundation – not a building, a relationship or a career. A career as an independent online teacher is no different. You need to approach your online teaching career with an awareness of certain fundamentals upon which to build.
Table of Contents
Your Goals
As a prelude to embarking on your online teaching career, you need to define your goals as an online teacher. These can be idealistic (“I want my students to ace their history classes”) but they must also be practical (“I need x number of students at $y per hour to pay my bills”) and realistic (“I am able to devote x hours per week to this career”). Knowing your goals will help to determine your curriculum, class setting, schedule, business development, lifestyle and so on.
Some basic questions you need to answer are:
- What can I competently teach?
- How much time can I devote to teaching classes? To administration?
- How much support can I offer students?
- How much money am I prepared to invest in technology and materials?
Digital Access
Your intention is to teach online, so you need to consider the access that you students will have to the online environment. I’ve already discussed the challenge of students in low-tech conditions, but essentially you need to anticipate whether your students (and you!) will reliably access high-bandwidth sustained video streaming or be limited to downloading pre-recorded classes and using email. Knowing this will shape your curriculum and delivery.
Tools & Training
It isn’t easy to learn new tools for either yourself or your students. While you may be tempted to adopt the latest in online classroom technology, you need to bear in mind that you will need to be comfortable and competent using these tools. You might also want to question whether all your tools are necessary or appropriate to the task. Sometimes email or message boards fit the bill nicely. Be certain that:
- you are able to master the tools
- your equipment can handle the software (connection speed, RAM, processing power and camera are all considerations)
- you can guide your students in using the tools
- your student’s equipment can handle the software
Don’t forget that the tools you use to deliver classes are the same tools that your students will need to use to attend classes. Don’t be shy to enlist the assistance of parents or siblings to guide younger learners.
Communications
Try to keep class-related communications brief, direct and professional. Use communications methods that are familiar to your clients (see Tools above) and try to schedule your interactions to times that your students are awake and available.
Of course you can share personal and informal information with your students if you have (or are building) that sort of relationship (see below), but anything to do with your lessons such as news, scheduling, feedback, training, and support should be “short and sweet”. You want to be certain it is understood and acknowledged.
The Human Element
You get paid to deliver a class, but you can nurture a long-lasting relationship and partnership, as well as the student’s interest and enthusiasm, with a few extra moments of attention outside of class times. A few sentences or a short video to summarize the class and praise the student’s achievements communicates your own interest and attention. A quick message to further clarify a difficult lesson concept underlines your alliance. Inviting your student to a group session allows group learning and the sharing of questions and concerns.
In other words, yes, you are a paid teacher, but as an independent online teacher you can be the instructor and guide that you want to be and that your students need. To a very large degree, your online teaching career depends on the relationships you build.
Empathy
All successful teachers are able to exhibit in-class empathy. They know when to slow down, skip ahead, be patient and give some time for the student to respond, or segue into an informal discussion or game.
Online teachers also need to be able to demonstrate an extra-curricular empathy. Learning online is unfamiliar and an adjustment for many students, so you need to be cognizant of the hurdles students may encounter. Sometimes the technology can be frustrating, Reminders of learning goals reached can help students remain committed. Assessments and awards emphasize progress along the roadmap. Reorientation of curriculum can maintain focus.
Your Time
Your independent online teaching career will be little different from a traditional teaching career in that you will still have to plan classes, administer tests and/or assignments, provide feedback and grades and achievement awards, and communicate with students and parents outside of class time. Do your best to be organized and proactive, but don’t forget to leave time for your own well-being. I can’t emphasize enough that the best teachers are rested, healthy, happy, enthused and fulfilled.
Resources
Managing Online Teaching Focus Paper
Nik Peachey, Oxford University Press
Eight Steps to a Smoother Transition to Online Teaching
https://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/online-education/eight-steps-for-a-smoother-transition-to-online-teaching/
How to Ensure a Successful Move to Online Teaching
https://peacheypublications.com/how-to-ensure-a-successful-move-to-online-teaching
Practical Online Teaching Strategies to Overcome Unique Teaching Challenges
https://indieteach.com/online-education/1012/practical-online-teaching-strategies-for-unique-teaching-challenges/
Images by
Keenan Beasley on Unsplash
Brooke Lark on Unsplash
Tim Gouw on Unsplash
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