More students than ever are looking for online education, and many platforms are hiring teachers to educate people of all ages.
If you are looking for a teaching job, online teaching can be a viable career choice. Prospective online teachers will need to consider what they want to teach online and what they are qualified to teach. Getting an online teaching certification can open up more opportunities for jobs and potentially higher earnings.
What Is Online Teaching?
Online teaching is a method of teaching others by way of the internet. As with most styles of education, online teaching is not a one-size-fits-all. It can be active or passive.
Online teaching can be one-on-one, with a teacher giving all their attention to one student. They may be teaching a new skill or tutoring. It can also be more like a traditional classroom, with a teacher presenting information live to a larger group of students. Just as in a real classroom, the students can ask questions and communicate.
Online teaching does not have to be in a live setting. Some teachers create an entire course with videos, readings, and other materials for students to access and work on at their own pace. Sometimes, the teacher gives feedback, while other times, the teacher is relatively hands-off.
Benefits of Teaching Online
Teaching online has many benefits. Some teachers prefer the convenience of working from home. Many online teachers do not have to work the traditional 8 am to 3 pm school days like in-person teachers. They can often set their hours and may only work a few hours each day.
Teachers can live anywhere they want, as long as they have an internet connection. Online teaching is a great option for individuals who want a more nomadic lifestyle. They do not need to establish and maintain a physical classroom.
Online teachers often have access to many programs that make their jobs easier, such as online testing and homework. Some of these programs will even grade student work so that the teacher doesn’t have to spend time grading.
Things To Consider Before Becoming an Online Teacher
While online teaching can be a wonderful career, it’s not for everyone. Teachers should carefully consider a few factors before deciding to teach online:
- It requires teachers to be even more adept at using technology than their in-person counterparts.
- Sometimes, several programs may require you to be more involved.
- Some platforms require an online teaching certification. While it is not difficult to get certified, teachers must consider if they are willing to go through the process.
- Online teachers can often create rewarding relationships with their students, but it isn’t as easy as in an in-person setting.
- Online teachers have to put in some extra effort to make sure that all students feel heard.
- They will also need to spend more time getting to know their students.
Who Can Teach Online?
The question of who can teach online largely depends on the particular platform and its requirements. Some platforms require no certification whatsoever, while others require an online teaching certification. Others still want a full teaching degree and license.
Regardless, it is usually easier for someone without formal teacher training or experience to get a job teaching online as opposed to in-person. While not all platforms allow teachers with no accreditation to teach, many do. Many just require a four-year college degree, while others have no education requirements.
Who Are the Best Online Teaching Candidates?
Individuals with formal teacher training and experience are the best candidates for online teaching. Teachers are more likely to get jobs that allow them to teach more traditional school subjects like math, reading, and science.
However, formally trained teachers aren’t the only ones who can have successful online teaching careers. Many people have skills that others are willing to learn. For example, many online teachers share their musical and artistic abilities. Some online teachers are those who’ve accomplished something, like starting a business, and want to share their knowledge with others.
Some online teachers are language partners. They don’t teach a language and, as such, don’t need a language degree. Instead, they help students who are already learning a new language by talking with them and preparing short speaking and listening lessons.
How Do Online Teachers Earn Money?
Online teachers can earn money in a few different ways. Some education platforms connect teachers with a group of students. The teacher has set hours and makes a salary, much as in an in-person school.
Other platforms allow teachers to upload courses. When a student purchases the course, the platform takes a percent of the earnings. Teachers have the potential to earn much more on these platforms because they are no longer trading hours for money. They can spend time making a course and then earn income on it indefinitely.
If an online teacher gets enough of a following, they can teach and sell courses from their personal website. They no longer have to split the profits with a platform.
How To Teach Online
Prospective teachers should first think about what they would like to teach and how often they want to work. These answers should guide them to the best platform for their needs.
From there, they can see what requirements they need to meet to teach on that platform. They may need certain training, like online teaching certification programs. They may also be required to have certain technology and software.
Finally, teachers can apply for the online position. Applying may look more like a traditional job interview, or it may be a form submission that either grants or denies them access to the platform.
Parting Thoughts
For people looking for a work-from-home career or even a side hustle, online teaching is a lucrative option. Teachers get the chance to reach a wide range of students from all over the world while also living the life they want by setting their hours and working wherever they want. It’s a career that is rewarding on many levels.
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