How to Teach Better Online 

The Internet has changed the teaching landscape forever. Teachers no longer have to be face to face with students in order to educate effectively. Students today were raised with technology, so communicating with their teacher through a webcam is easy. Digital teachers are on the rise and with a new way of teaching comes the need to adjust and improve. Here are six ways to expand and develop your Internet teaching ability. 

-Continue the Conversation

The conversation shouldn’t stop when the webcam shuts off. Students today are very connected to the online world. Teaching can be supplemented through email, chat and text. Have the student write and email a summary, in their own words, of what they just learned. Have them send email updates on their progress and any questions they might have about the material. This keeps them engaged and thinking about their lesson throughout the days, weeks and months. A more engaged student is a better learner. Email is also a way to send students an assignment sheet. This keeps the student focused on their task list and helps teachers remember exactly what was covered.

-Be Creative With Your Equipment

It’s very easy to record a quick video message on Skype; the student will have a video message waiting for them when they log on. The student could also record a question they have for the teacher, or show something they’ve learned. Both student and teacher could record YouTube videos and upload them to the same channel. This is a personal and fun way to ask questions and creates an ongoing conversation. When teaching a science lesson, bring the webcam outside to discuss nature.  In teaching golf lessons, have the student set up a tripod to hold the computer or smartphone so that you can see them swing.

-Make it Fun

Online teaching offers the opportunity for countless ways to turn an ordinary lesson into a fun experience for the student. There’s so many websites that offer free flash cards, online quizzes, and worksheets, depending on the subject. The best way to supplement virtual teaching is with more online learning. If you can’t find a website that offers what you’re looking for, why not make it yourself? Type up your lessons and have your students review what you’ve taught them online. Make printable pdf flash cards and upload them to your website or email them to students.

-Flexibility

The best part of teaching remotely is the ability to be flexible. Find a lesson time that is the best for the student’s learning environment. Late at night when students are tired is not ideal. Just because you can be flexible doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have a set schedule. The student should know exactly when you will be meeting over Skype, and you should always be prompt. However, also be ready to be flexible with your lesson plans. If the student isn’t processing certain information, switch up your game plan and keep them interested. Skype lessons work best when the teacher is ready and able to adjust at a moment’s notice. Virtual teaching will not be effective if the student is disinterested. Online learning should be based on the individual student’s fascinations.

-Be Accountable

Whether it’s for yourself, the student, or the student’s parents, accountability is important with virtual learning. The lack of face to face interaction might leave some participants wondering about their progress. It’s more important than ever to keep yourself, the students and the parents involved about the process and where each student is at. Assessment rubrics, email updates and online grading can help assist in this process.

-Build a Relationship

Most importantly, the best teachers form real relationships with their students.  Just because you’re looking at a computer screen does not mean there isn’t a real person on the other side.  This aspect of teaching will never change, no matter the technological advancements.  Students can tell when a teacher is just doing their job and when they truly care about their students. If a teacher cares about other aspects of their lives, students will look forward to the lesson and strive to please. An encouraging teacher is a better teacher.

6 Reasons Skype Teaching is Awesome

Over the past century, there have been prominent developments and innovations which have led to an evolution in the education world. We now have an interconnected global network which allows for changes in the way that we do many things. A respected face-to-face education can be facilitated from the comforts of home, or wherever in the world a teacher desires to be.

One of the most significant services that has been utilized for internet teaching is Skype. As many people have discovered, Skype is a free VoIP (Voice-over-IP) service which allows for normal calls, video calls using webcams or the sending of instant messages to anyone in the world who has an internet connection. It has been used to allow instructors to teach remotely from anywhere in the world. This new way of teaching opens the door for many great opportunities.

Here are 6 reasons why teaching remotely via Skype is awesome:

#1 Teach what you love

 People who have a passion to teach a particular subject, but have not had the means to make it happen, can now do so much more easily. The topics that can be taught virtually are limitless, allowing for an efficient way to share information and increase knowledge. Traditionally, teachers were limited by the physical amount of classrooms available and the curriculum approval by institutions. Many times, certain topics would not fit in with an institution’s syllabus. Thus, some information was just not shared. Skype has provided the freedom for people to teach what they want and love, even to the extent of expressing what they believe.

#2 Broader Job Opportunities

The fact that the internet is global, and many people can easily get access to it through their computer, tablets and mobile phones, has made distance learning extremely popular. You often don’t need to physically be in a certain college to teach or learn there, rather you can be anywhere and teach or be taught the same curriculum as those who are actually within the physical walls. It may be possible to teach at different schools simultaneously, which was previously not an option.

#3 A Vast Potential Audience

With social media sites and services, Skype included, you can easily meet new people from both your own country, and from any country in the world. This connection to such a vast audience, opens up the opportunity for freelance online teaching. A course can be advertised online, and students from anywhere in the world can enroll. This exponentially increases the amount of potential students that can be reached. The amount of students who can take a course exceeds what is possible in a physical class.

One major problem in classrooms today is a limited amount of space and an excess amount of students. It is not uncommon to hear about a student who couldn’t join a class due to it being at maximum capacity. It is only possible to physically fit so many people in one room comfortably. On the other hand, with Skype teaching, there is no limit to the amount of people who can access your teachings. In addition, each student is getting an up close view of the course as if it was one-on-one. Wherein a classroom, both site and sound can be obstructed.

#4 Reduced Costs

Let’s say you do want to start your own school. Opening a physical school is a very large undertaking. It involves having to rent, build or buy a physical facility, paying for utilities, meeting all of the codes required for an educational facility and purchasing physical supplies. Now, look at the savings with an online school set up, the costs include an internet connection, a web cam and a computer.

 #5 Convenience and Location Freedom

We all prefer doing what we like, in places where we enjoy being. This is now possible thanks to Skype. Today, you can teach on the beach and still relay your information as if you’re on official business. This has provided a freedom that no longer restricts a teacher to a life anchored by an educational facility. How great to be someone who desires to teach, and also be able to go wherever you want in the world, while still being able to hold classes and meet with your students.

In terms of convenience, a teacher has the option to become more of a freelance contractor who can set their own schedule. Skype has a convenient service that records conversations so that students who wish to view previous teachings, can still get access to them after they occur.

#6 Job Security

In the education profession, teachers are often modestly paid and must meet strict benchmarks. When employed by a school, the teacher relies on that pay for their livelihood and must adhere to the guidelines and hope for the best. Remote teaching allows for more freedom and more diversified opportunities. Many remote teaching jobs are available that utilize Skype, whether they are organized by an institution, or are freelance opportunities. A great place to look for contracted teaching jobs is on freelancing websites, where clients are looking to hire qualified virtual teachers.

Remotely teaching via Skype sounds pretty awesome right? We thought so too. With the technology available today, teaching can really be done from anywhere. Hopefully this has inspired teachers interested in virtual education, to look into the possibility of supplementing your income with teaching via Skype!

One Response to “6 Reasons Skype Teaching is Awesome”

1. Lindsay Dow says:

   May 20, 2014 at 12:00 am

   A great post! I do about 50% of my teaching via Skype now and it’s due to become full time Skype teaching by September. It definitely has it’s advantages!

   Reply

5 Benefits of Teaching Online

Conventional education generally involves a teacher and a student or group of students who meet in-person. The online teaching alternative allows for many benefits that you normally wouldn’t have access to with traditional teaching methods.

1. Teach What You Love

The real beauty of teaching is sharing your passion with another person. Every person wishes to teach what they love but sadly, it isn’t always possible. Perhaps you live in an area where people simply aren’t interested in your craft or you wish to work with a specific type of student. Using Skype to teach online opens up endless opportunity to teach people who are truly interested in what you have to offer.

2. Meet New People

The internet is the ultimate place to network with people. You might have noticed already that there is literally nothing you can’t find online. Even if you teach an obscure craft like tatting you are sure to find many people through online resources that are just as passionate on the subject as you are. Not only does teaching online link you to new students but also with fellow teachers who you can brainstorm with.

3. Location Independence

Being tied to a classroom has many disadvantages, especially for those with busy lifestyles or who wish to travel. An obvious advantage of a virtual Skype classroom is that you only need your computer and an internet connection to teach. You can be on vacation, traveling for other business or in a coffee shop for example. The ability to teach where and when you want allows you to choose your own hours.

4. Job Security

Regardless of how secure you think your teaching position is, if you’re working for someone else or are relying on rented space, it isn’t. Surprise lay-offs due to budgets are far too common and often strike during the worst times. If you rent space for your classes you may very well find yourself suddenly without a place if your landlord loses the building or otherwise must end your contract. Teaching online means you are self-employed. It is up to you to create lesson plans and find students but it also means that you’re responsible for your job security. No surprises!

5. Efficiency

Rather than spending half of your day commuting from lesson to lesson; instead you can schedule lessons online back to back.  All you need is enough time between lessons for a bathroom break and another cup of coffee and you are ready to go.  Less time driving means more time teaching or having fun.

Conclusion

Online teaching means organization is even more important to ensure your students have all the material required for a lesson. You might need to invest in extra equipment, such as a webcam and headset, if you don’t already have them on hand. You will also need to setup safe payment process, like PayPal for example. Despite these extra steps, teaching online can be a wonderful, freeing process that can match any lifestyle.  Even if you don’t wish to switch solely to online teaching, you might consider adding some aspects of it into your teaching lifestyle.