With the increase of parents choosing to remove their children from traditional public school classrooms, online education has seen a marked increase in popularity.
The number of charter schools and home school programs offering online programs continues to rise. To meet the need of students with medical needs and behavioral problems, some states have even begun offering online public education as an option for students who are not excelling in the physical classroom.
This increase in online education has brought about a demand for online teachers.
Online teaching isn't for everyone, but many teachers are finding enjoyment and benefits from exactly that.
Teachers who have recently retired or teachers who want to take time off from the everyday stress of the classroom are enjoying the freedom and flexibility an online schedule provides. While some online classrooms do require teachers to be present at certain days and times as in a traditional classroom, others allow teachers to set the syllabus for students and check online several times a day to answer questions or address concerns. Professionals teaching elementary and junior high students may find stricter scheduling requirements, whereas teachers teaching older high school and college students may find more flexibility with their schedules.
This type of digital teaching situation can be ideal for teachers who have a short or long-term disability, an extended illness, or need time off to take care of smaller children or an ailing parent.
Online teaching can also be beneficial for teachers who wish to take on a second job. If the requirements of the online teaching position aren't intense, an online teaching job can sometimes be worked around regular work hours. This also applies to online tutoring positions, where teachers may choose to tutor students online during evening hours to help with homework, research specific school projects, or develop math and writing skills.
Educational institutions vary on their practice for hiring online teachers. With some schools, the teacher may be an actual employee of the institution, but this will most probably not be the case. Many online teachers are independent contractors who are paid by the number of classes taught, the amount of students attending class, or time required to do the job. Independent contractors are usually required to provide their own equipment such as computer, web cam (if required), and internet connection.
As in the real world, teachers must have the correct certification required for their particular state. They also must keep up to date on continuing education. In order to become an online instructor, teachers usually must have a required number of years in a traditional classroom.
For many teachers, the biggest drawback to becoming a teacher in the digital world involves the emotional connection lost between the teacher and student. While a relationship can be formed online, it almost never matches the relationship the teacher forms with a student in a physical classroom.
As technology increases, it's becoming apparent the digital classroom is here to stay. The demand for digital education is likely to increase as people become more and more technically connected in a virtual world. Online teaching will most certainly be a part of future generations, providing an option for teachers looking for a traditional role in a non-traditional world.
