How To Avoid Common Mistakes When Teaching Online

The following is a guest post from Live Lingua and Teacher Indie Content Manager Tim Wenger.  Teacher Indie has been my go-to resource for all things related to teaching online, and it covers a range of topics that help both new and veteran teachers achieve success.  I’m happy to have Tim share his expertise with all of our members here, so let’s dive right in!

 

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Develop a business plan.

For those working independently (i.e. not as an employee of a school or institution), the world of online teaching poses a number of unique challenges. When approached the right way, these challenges return immense benefits including location independence and self-employment, a level of freedom that many traditional teachers only experience during the summer months.

Independent online teachers are essentially running their own business. This takes a business plan – and a high level of self-discipline that includes actually working instead of snoozing on the couch. I encourage anyone interested in pursuing online teaching to check out some online business podcasts (Tropical MBA is a great place to start) and websites. Read up on how to start and run a business, and put together a plan for the coming year.

How are you going to market your business? How are you going to bill and collect payment from them? Be sure these things are in place, along with must-do’s like a great website and social media presence. Your business plan should incorporate all of these elements, and allow you to perform cost/benefits analysis for expenses and marketing efforts based on your projected income.

Here is a great template for putting together a basic business plan.

 

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Implement your best practices from classroom teaching.

Different medium, same end goal. The most successful online teachers have found ways to implement tried and true teaching techniques into their lesson plans and interactions with students. Because of the high level of distraction on the internet, it is incredibly important for online teachers to focus on the student experience. Otherwise, that YouTube video open in the next tab will start to look real appealing. Then, when the next monthly payment comes due, the student will realize they’ve learned nothing. Increase retention with these tips:

• Build individual student goals and situations into your lesson planning. As we all know, not everyone learns the same way. The more personal a lesson plan, the more likely a student is to stick around and refer you to others. This is especially true for those of you teaching one-on-one lessons. Whenever possible, have a chat with a student before the first lesson, or a trial lesson of some kind, in order to get a feel for who they are and how they learn. Ask questions. Figure out why they are signing up and what they hope to get out of working with you.
• Modernize your lessons. Odds are there are lessons available across the internet – your student chose you for specific reasons, and it sure as hell isn’t because you follow a lesson plan from 1995.
• Stay current. You’ve got to be an authority in your subject matter. This is another place where listening to podcasts, reading blogs and industry publications, and getting out to networking events is immensely useful. Make sure you’re using the best tech tools for online teaching and stay on top of new developments in your field.

 

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Establish your credibility.

You are staying current and are confident in your qualifications to teach your subject matter. It’s time to prove it!

It might be uncomfortable to boast about yourself. It’s time to get over it. Your livelihood is at stake, and if you’re going to be successful, everyone needs to know that you’re legit.

Here are some hints:

• Highlight your qualifications, education, and best work on your website. Anything that is viewable online needs to work in your favor.
• Make yourself easy to get ahold of.
• Build a ‘friendly authority’ image for yourself. Take what you liked most about your favorite teacher and replicate it.

 

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Double check what is on camera, as well as your microphone placement.

As much as you might love Pamela Anderson, that Baywatch poster on your wall is going to be real awkward in the background of your lesson. Keep a clean background, maybe hang your college degree or any certificates, stuff that creates a professional and non-distracting setting for your students.

We touch on this further, as well as cover other common mistakes, in this article from Teacher Indie.

 

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When applying for a job, treat it like any other job application.

Live Lingua receives over 100 emails per week from online teachers looking for work. It’s stunning how many of those emails are incredibly unprofessional. We’ve seen applicants bring an aggressive attitude to their interview, exactly the opposite of what our company strives for. We’ve had emails come in that say only, “Can I have a job?”

Are we going to put a teacher who is aggressive, clueless, or desperate in front of our students? Definitely not. No matter the subject matter or outlet, the same basic rules of professionalism still apply. First impressions count!

Can you think of any other common mistakes to avoid when teaching online?  Have a question for Tim?  Let us know in the comments below!

 

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About the Author:

Tim Wenger is the content manager for Live Lingua. The founder of Inkwell Media Services, he is also the author of So, You Have A Band, the definitive guide for independent musicians. After finishing a BA in Communications from Fort Lewis College, Tim jumped into the back of a Ford Econoline and spent a few years playing guitar in dark bars while falling in love with travel, good food, and local drink. He’s been unable to rest his pen (or his feet) ever since.