how best to learn about online teaching

Discussion in 'Online & DL Teaching' started by kavade, Jan 3, 2017.

Loading...
  1. kavade

    kavade Member

    If anyone has suggestions, I'd love to hear them . I did an MA online using...hmmm...I don't remember now. Blackboard? Moodle? I was not terrifically adept in that environment but I did cope. However, I now want to apply for online teaching positions and must, therefore, be well versed in how such things work. Could I please have opinions about how to become proficient in the ways of online teaching? I'm thinking primarily about using the applications and navigating on the sites, but recommended techniques for teaching in this fashion also is a priority.

    Many thanks. Oh, can anyone give me an idea of pay at, say, National University? I'm guessing maybe $35 an hour, if one breaks it down like that.

    And by the way, while I was struggling to gain an RA MA, and also working full time, the helpfulness and support of the people here on this site was very much appreciated. This is a community of nice people.
     
  2. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    Typically, online teaching gigs pay an awful lot less than that. In fact, when people really look at how many hours they put in, strictly from a monetary perspective those hours would usually have been better spent as a barista at the local Starbucks.
     
  3. kavade

    kavade Member

    Well, that was certainly true when I started doing ESL - the hours of prep were dreadful. But after I had go to material, the prep dropped away to very little time. I just do the same thing with different students. Would the same be true of online? Once you have the class down,
    it's down?
     
  4. Bruce

    Bruce Moderator

    If you are able to obtain an online teaching position, the school will provide comprehensive training with their LMS, whether it's Blackboard, Canvas, Moodle, or their own. They won't let you start teaching unless you're competent with their platform.

    As for pay, that shouldn't be the primary motivator, because it's not great. Starting out, it really stinks in relation to the time you spend preparing your classes, but once you're able to template your syllabus, assignments, etc., it gets a lot better. However, you're not going to be able to make a living of online adjuncting (unless you keep an insane pace), and you're certainly not going to get rich.
     
  5. kavade

    kavade Member

    Online would just be a supplement to retirement income. If all goes well, I will be retired in about two years. A little extra income would be
    useful. Getting rich is not the goal.
     
  6. TomE

    TomE New Member

    I agree with much of what has been stated so far, although if you can get on with certain institutions and teach at a regular clip, there is a pretty decent amount of money to be made.

    That being said, it may be worth familiarizing yourself with some of the background information for some of the major "players" in LMS, if nothing else for when discussing the topic during interviews or if you'd like to get a "jumpstart" on your training, etc.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_learning_management_systems

    I would suggest looking at Canvas, Moodle, Blackboard, Desire2Learn, and eCollege
     
  7. kavade

    kavade Member

    Thanks for the reply. I will check it out as you suggest.
     

Share This Page