Virtual Teaching: Requirements for Teaching Online

Teaching online can vary from online tutoring to college classes. Don't get away with thinking it's easier than teaching in the traditional classroom! It still requires an advanced degree as well as a time commitment.

Not only should the individual be motivated and have the flexibility to want to become a virtual teacher, they also need some other very specific requirements. These requirements can range from certain office hours to specific technological requirements.

Depending on the virtual school you are going to work for they may require you hold a certain number of office hours or have a specific time slot when students can call you. For instance one school may require that you be available everyday from 5 to 7 pm. Another requirement which may come up is how many times you log on or check your email. Being an online teacher almost means that you are on call 24 hours a day. You may be getting numerous emails a day regarding school and faculty issues alone which you will need to check let alone the other one hundred emails from students.

The bottom line is you must have the flexibility to be able to check your emails at different time periods during the day. Personally as an online student and an online teach/tutor I am logged online practically all day and I check my email anywhere from 8-10 times a day for each account. This allows me to sort through emails, leave time for responses, and allow myself not to be overwhelmed with hundreds of emails coming in. Remember email and telephone will be your only source of communication.

Which leads to me to technology. What types of technology must you be familiar with to teach online? Again all depending on the school you may need a fax machine, you may need a headset, or you may even need to become certified in their tutoring/teaching program. Many sites offer to test your computer directly online to see if your computer is compatible with their requirements. eSylvan checks for various technological requirements and like others if you are offered a job, you get paid training!

Training online will consist of training in the school or tutoring institutions preferred platform, such as Blackboard. While platforms are not difficult to maneuver around in once you get the hang of it and the training will lessen the levels of confusion.

So while the online teaching world leaves much room for flexibility, you must also be flexible in your own home in regards to when you need to have office hours and when you need to check your emails. While this sounds less grueling than 8-10 hours at a brick and mortar school, it may actually end up being more work and if not well prepared more time-consuming as well. It all comes down to the motivation of the individual!