Are you interested in teaching, but traditional classroom instruction just doesn't fit your style or schedule? You may want to consider applying for an online teaching job. However, before getting started in online education, you'll need to do a few basic things.
Find a Class to Teach
There are three types of online classes. Some states offer virtual high school courses meant to provide enrichment and credit recovery for high school students. Many online courses are provided by a college or university and can lead to an academic degree. There are also personal and professional development courses offered by organizations as diverse as Barnes&Noble.com and Writer's Digest.
The best place to look for an online teaching position is on the website of the school or group with which you wish to teach. If there isn't a current online teaching job posted on the school or group's website, contact an administrator or the human resources department to express your interest in teaching a course. You may also find online education opportunities listed on general job search websites like Monster.com.
Check the Qualifications
The required qualifications for online teaching jobs can vary widely. Online high school classes typically need a certified secondary teacher. An online teaching job at a university may require a minimum of a master's degree, but in many cases, a Ph.D. will be required. Some colleges also look for professional experience in the field in which you are teaching. Organizations offering online classes for personal or professional development focus more on expertise in your field. While you can always try to wow the hiring committee if you don't quite meet the qualifications, understand that some requirements are in place for the sake of institutional accreditation and can't be overlooked.
Focus Your Resume on Relevant Experience
Of course, the most relevant experience for an online teaching job is actual teaching experience. However, even if you've never been a teacher, there are sure to be other moments when you've educated your peers.
- Did you ever volunteer with a tutoring program? Tutoring can provide great insights into the teaching process.
- Have you been part of a formal mentoring program? The one-on-one feedback online instructors provide can be similar to a mentoring relationship as you help your students grow in their knowledge and abilities.
- Have you planned and led training workshops in your workplace? This is highly relevant experience, as planning a training experience requires many of the same considerations as teaching a course: determining learning goals, planning engaging activities, and assessing participants' understanding.
Hopefully, with these steps behind you, you'll be well on your way to your first online teaching job.
Lorie Witkop - Lorie Witkop is a freelance writer from Michigan focusing primarily on online markets. With a background in teaching English and Spanish, ...
