Okay, I have another question about online university teaching. Will I have to create the class on my own or do they provide instructors with curriculum information. In other words, if given a class to teach, will I be provided with some idea as to what the university would like to see or will I only be given the name of the course and have to come up with everything for it. Sorry if this is a dumb question. I was just looking at some jobs that are posted and they only give the area of the class with not much to go on by way of what needs to be taught. Thanks for any responses!
I've taught for two different schools online, one RA & one NA, and both have "pre-packaged" courses. The basics of the course are provided to you; texts, suggested syllabus, and general grading outline. In both formats, I was/am allowed some flexibility, but not to the point of designing the course from scratch. Once you get some time in teaching you may be solicited for course development, but as far as starting out, you won't have to do anything in that regard. If you want to follow the "company line" to the letter, that's perfectly okay with them.
There are a few different ways this happens... Where I teach now, at a community college, I have full leeway to design my course and my own syllabus, although each course has learning objectives that should be met. At Regis, where I got my MBA, the courses are pre-designed for the instructors, including the exercises, papers and the course notes. That is also the case at University of Phoenix and several other schools. When I was hired to teach, I had not taught before, so I went online and looked at syllabi. I looked at several texts and chose one that was used by another instructor. I was able to have my website copied from that other instructor's, and that instructor was paid for my usage, as was my mentor. I talked to the Chair and was assigned a mentor. I asked questions of both. I had done about nine months of research prior to that point, and I had taken all my MBA classes online, so I had already planned how to design and run my courses.
Ditto - the course structure is all created but add "extras" in every discussion and assignment. I also ask for more then the school requires to push them further. For example, this weeks discussion is about upgrading computers. I take it to another level and ask the students the following: ***CLASS QUESTION*** Regarding computers and the need to upgrade, if your basic needs are not met, why care about a computer. Is everyone familiar with Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs? What are they? Do you agree with the concept and why/why not? Where do computers fall in there?
Same here. I always provide extra readings which are relevant to the subject being discussed; usually a journal article, an extended newspaper investigative report, etc. In a million years, I would never have equated Maslow with upgrading computers. Well done, my friend!
online adjunct while living abroad I am a school administrator (and teacher) in Asia. I am Canadian and getting closer to retirement. What are the chances of being an online adjunct while living in the Philippines, or Panama or ...? Is it possible? Thanks, Sidney
You might have to get used to working different hours. The rest is how your background fits the school you work for. jim
Hi Jim, The background might be ok. I gather that the basic is 18 graduate semester credits in a discipline. By then I could claim law, business administration, history, English, humanities, education administration, and education curriculum and instruction. I was worried about being Canadian (although my degrees are Canadian and American) and out of country. If universities don't mind where I am at, I can adjust to time zones. I just say good morning when it is good evening and good evening when it is good morning. I do that now! Is it hard to get adjunct positions? Thanks, Sidney
