If you’re passionate about teaching and you have a good degree, you might consider trying your hand at teaching online. The opportunities are endless, and although you won’t likely earn a lot of money at first, the income is usually sufficient to cover your costs. Furthermore, the flexibility of online teaching makes it a popular option for those interested in traveling or for those looking to supplement their income.
The Benefits Of Online Teaching
There are several benefits to online teaching, not the least of which is the flexibility. Most teachers have full-time jobs, and although they could conceivably teach part-time online, they usually prefer to have a regular schedule so they can plan their lessons. This makes it easier to find a full schedule of students, and it also means you can’t schedule your online classes just when someone’s desperate for help or when there are a few weeks left in the term.
Another benefit is the low overhead. In a traditional classroom setting, you have to factor in the cost of the building, utilities (mostly electricity), and the cost of the instructors’ salaries. It’s difficult to estimate exactly how much teaching online costs, but it could be as little as a couple hundred dollars per month. The important thing to note is that even if you’re not making any money, you’re still saving money.
The Drawbacks Of Online Teaching
There are also some drawbacks to online teaching. One of the main problems is the anonymity. In a traditional classroom situation, you have the opportunity to interact with your students one-on-one. Furthermore, you have the ability to observe their progress and help them as they learn. Teaching online completely removes all of this. You don’t get to observe your students interact with the material, and although you can track their progress (especially for those enrolled in a formal course where they are assigned a grade), you can’t really be sure that they’re not cheating or that they’re not getting the help they need.
Another drawback is the lack of socialization. For those who have not spent a lot of time in an academic setting, online teaching can seem pretty isolating. When you’re not in a classroom with other teachers, there’s no one to discuss the material with. Even for those who have taught before or intend to teach again, the lack of human contact can be a detracting factor. The fact that your students can’t help you either is another downside. Since you’re providing the instruction, you’re also responsible for solving any problems that might arise. For those who prefer a more hands-on approach, this is certainly a drawback.
Making Money In Teaching
It’s important to note that although you won’t make a lot of money immediately as a teacher, you can expect to make some money in the near future. In most cases, you’ll only need to complete a short course to qualify you to teach online. Once you’ve done that, you can look for jobs in the subject you taught. If you were a teacher of English as a second language, you might want to look for work in the English-speaking world. There are also a lot of online jobs that don’t require a college degree, so even if you don’t have one, you might still qualify for some work. Keep in mind that although the income is usually sufficient to cover your costs, there are some subjects (like criminal justice) that don’t pay very well.
To be able to make the most of this opportunity, you need to ensure that you’re prepared for online teaching. For those interested in traveling or looking to supplement their income, this might be a great option. As much as possible, you want to avoid any unpleasant surprises once you begin teaching. Being able to plan your lessons ahead of time will make a huge difference. Furthermore, you’ll need to find a course that’s suited to your strengths and weaknesses. If you’re worried about teaching online, there are a few things you can do to prepare. First, take some courses to get a sense of how things work. Furthermore, consider taking a course from a reputable source. Finally, try out a few lessons before you hit the big time and ensure that you’re comfortable teaching the material. With a little bit of planning and preparation, you can be sure that you’re going into this with your eyes open and that you’re not going to be disappointed.