Online Teaching Blog

Sometimes being the interviewer is almost as nerve-wracking as being the interviewee. There are the typical questions that are not only expected to be asked, such as “tell me about your last position,” “why are you interviewing for this position,” “what are your strengths and weaknesses,” and “what is your desired salary?” Answers to other unasked questions, probably yielding the more intriguing answers, will most likely be volunteered if the interviewer is skilled at asking probing yet non-direct questions. An experienced interviewer will also elicit insight as to the real reason the person is sitting across from your desk. An eager candidate often offers the real reasons why he or she left their last position, what was actually accomplished (or not) and what he or she really thought of the boss’ decisions. After many years of interviewing candidates in the health care and higher education industries, while the jobs may be quite varied in their scope and practice areas, the questions are the same in the attempt to seek the “best-fit” for the position. 

Getting an online teaching position is a competitive business. Not only must you have the credentials that the position requires, but you must also convince the dean or hiring manager of your qualifications. All of this needs to happen at just the right moment – when the institution is looking for an instructor in your field.

Chances are if you are reading this you have been hired by a college or university as an online instructor or will be hired once you successfully complete faculty training. Congrats! The hours you spent filling out applications has paid off and you are now becoming part of the school’s faculty. In my eyes this is a big accomplishment because competition is fierce to land an online teaching job.

Now that you have passed the interview stage you are required to participate in online training to become familiar with the school’s Learning Management Software (i.e. Blackboard, Moodle, etc.). Depending on the school the training time and requirements can vary. For example, I participated in four weeks of intensive training for one school while I participated in self-paced training for another, which only took about four days. During training you learn how to setup your classroom, respond to posts, grade assignments as well as other valuable tools. It may seem overwhelming if you haven’t taught before but follow these tips and I promise you will succeed and survive online training.

Students returning to school for an online university degree have considerable differences in demographics and needs from their traditional student counterparts. Typically adult learners, they are motivated to learn skills that will directly apply to their future careers. They are more self-directed in their learning than traditional students just out of high school. When faculty members help students connect the content to their work and life experiences it increases their understanding and retention of the material.  Faculty members who learn about adult learners' needs can help them achieve their educational goals.

Have you ever wondered why you picked the path you’re on? Reflection is good. It lets us know if we should stay the course or pick a different path. In life, we are often given many choices and they are not always easy ones. When we make our decisions, we don’t always know immediately if they are the best ones. Sometimes when we reminisce, it’s clear which ones were good choices and which were not. Others are somewhere in the middle. Nonetheless, choices are so important. They can open up worlds of opportunity or lead you down a broken, blocked, unmanaged path. So, as I look back at the paths I’ve taken in my life, I’ve definitely had some curves and a few circles. I’ve even stopped, turned around, and gotten off the path completely.

The learning management system has a direct impact on the online teaching efficiency of online adjunct faculty. Most faculty veterans are well versed in a variety of learning management systems and, through trial and error, have discovered ways that navigation can both help and hinder efficiencies. Learning management systems need to offer flexibility yet maintain simplicity.

The past two weeks has been somewhat interesting. A family emergency has created an opportunity to spend some time in the great state of North Dakota. Presently, the stay has been positive. Although the emergency no longer exists, the circumstances require an extended stay. So, hello from North Dakota.

A Bridge

This article serves as a bridge between my planting seeds and what’s in your portfolio articles.

The online university degree has helped to make higher education available worldwide. It has helped many pursue goals and dreams however no two programs are alike. It’s critical for learners to ask the right questions and conduct research to find the program that is the best fit.

Every day brings new challenges, new connections, and fortunately new opportunities on this path to online teaching. It also, however, can bring disappointment and requires a tremendous amount of work, perseverance, patience, time, and energy. This has proven not to be the path for those wanting quick results or even feedback for their efforts.