Home
| Work & Business
| Education
| Distance Learning
| Distance Learning Teaching Opportunities
Distance Learning Teaching Opportunities
by Stacey Laatsch
-
Overview
With the continued trend of students seeking online education programs, distance learning teaching opportunities continues to increase. While online teaching involves many of the same concerns as traditional classroom teaching, plus added technological challenges, the flexibility in schedule and location makes teaching in a distance learning program an attractive option for instructors of all subjects.
-
Potential
Advanced computer technology and the Internet has made distance learning accessible to almost everyone. According to research conducted by The Sloan Consortium, the number of students engaged in distance learning---not only at colleges and universities, but also in K--12 public school districts---has increased over the past five years and will continue to increase. As more people take advantage of the benefits of online education at elementary, secondary, and postsecondary levels, qualified instructors will be needed in large numbers in all disciplines.
-
Benefits
The greatest benefit of teaching in a distance learning program is the flexibility in schedule and location. Often, classes are not taught in real time or at a scheduled time. Instructors provide class materials online, or in some cases, through the mail. Students access the materials, respond, and complete assignments on their own schedule by an assigned due date. Distance learning teaching opportunities are not limited to a certain location. Instructors can live in New York and teach English at schools in California. Some people choose to supplement their full-time income by teaching classes online in their off hours.
-
Considerations
Instructors exclusive to distance learning may never meet or talk with students in person, and therefore may find it difficult to feel connected with students. Some online students may feel free to express negativity without the accountability of face-to-face interactions. Online students may be under the impression that online classes are easier or less time-consuming. Cheating or plagiarism may be harder to control with distance learning. Online instructors need practical computer experience and may have to solve technical difficulties on their own. Online instructors must have the right computer equipment (such as scanners, printers, or fax machines) and access to high-speed Internet service. Some institutions require training courses for their online instructors.
-
Misconceptions
Because of the flexibility in schedule and the opportunity to work from home, a common misconception of distance learning teaching opportunities is that the workload is less time-consuming or easier than that of traditional teaching. The exact opposite is often true. Teachers will likely encounter the same concerns and problems of a traditional classroom, plus the special considerations explained above. Also, distance learning teaching opportunities are not easier to obtain than traditional teaching jobs. Learning institutions are looking for qualified teachers with teaching experience, often with experience teaching online, and advanced degrees in their fields of study.
-
Where to Find Distance Learning Teaching Opportunities
The best way to find distance learning teaching opportunities is to contact an accredited learning institution. Large, public universities or two-year colleges will most likely have an online program and will offer distance learning teaching opportunities. Institutions such as the Open University and the University of Phoenix have Web pages that explain their process of hiring online faculty in detail.
