The pandemic has brought a stop to a lot of things we've always considered normal; for one, we can't just waltz in and out of our homes at any time, not even for work! This has consequently led to an appreciation of the work from home lifestyle.

Online teaching is quickly gaining traction as a work from home job option, due to its flexibility in work timing and location, ease of work, a wider audience reach, and an increased potential to make money. 

If you've been toying with the idea of giving online teaching a try, then here's how you can get started.          

Choose Between Two Main Online Teaching Routes          

• Private Tutoring

You can be your own boss if you are ready to tackle all the aspects surrounding your online teaching, like managing content, hosting it on a platform, gathering students, etc.

One of the easiest platforms to get started is YouTube, if you are patient enough to gain subscribers.

• Registered Tutoring

There are many platforms out there that provide you with everything  you need to take your content online. A few of these platforms take a commission from your income through hosted courses, while others employ you to work with them.

Below are a few platforms you can get started with as a registered teacher:

• Udemy
• Skillshare
• Edx
• Coursera

Whichever route you choose to take, there is a huge potential to make money with increasing online learners.

A Checklist to Get You Started as an Online Teacher

• Choose a Skill/Subject 

Identify a subject/skill that you are good at and can teach to anyone. Besides being good at it, it is also very important to choose something you are passionate about teaching to people. Passion  for the subject will motivate you enough to  become  great at teaching it.

Another factor that you need to consider is the demand for the skill/subject in the market. For example, graphic design and  programming are a few of the most in-demand courses in 2021.

Ultimately, your choice will affect your earning potential and how much you are going to enjoy teaching online, so choose wisely. 

• Choose a Channel           

As mentioned in the previous section, there are many ways you can start your career as an online teacher. Start with the one that best suits you to make the most of any channel.       

For instance, if you are a person with an entrepreneurial mindset, you would lean more towards operating from your own private channel.

• Work on Your Communication Skills         

It's hard to engage students when you have poor communication skills. Having the right  communication skills, in relation to your students, is important for an effective online teaching experience. If needed, spend a few hours in front of the mirror just to get your communication right.

• Get Comfortable Navigating Your Chosen Platform        

Take time to wrap your head around the technology you will be  using to teach. This will help  you  avoid embarrassing class fails and save you a lot of time while recording or conducting live classes.     

• Ensure You Have a Good Internet Connection

A good internet connection is an absolute requirement to get started with online teaching. If you are teaching on live/interactive sessions, poor internet connection can ruin your entire session.

A good internet connection should not only have high speed but also be reliable.

• Get Quality Equipment          

To capture the attention of your target audience and effectively teach, it's important that your video and audio quality is good. Make sure to get a good quality webcam and mic and set your background and lighting to complement the visuals that your webcam captures. For example, a warm light gives a better look than blue light.

• Register Yourself and Get Started

Now that you are done with almost everything on this checklist, it's time to get yourself registered and look for opportunities or start recording and uploading your content on your chosen platform. 

Remember, everyone you regard as great today was once a beginner. So, do not let paralysis analysis take over. The sooner you start, the sooner you get to learn and thrive!                 

• Request Constructive Feedback 

Take feedback seriously so you can improve on deficient areas. 

It's hard to get it right the first time. So, listen to your students to know what they expect to get out of your sessions and help them through follow-up sessions or resources.

Challenges You May Face While Teaching Online

Take note of the following challenges you may encounter as an online teacher so you can be better prepared:

• Student Engagement

It's hard to keep students engaged while operating in a virtual environment. Students are prone to distractions and keeping them focused on your class is a hectic task.

• Lack of motivation

Students may lack motivation for many reasons. It may be difficult to identify the reason behind their lack of motivation and this can lead to drawbacks. This is where your communication skills will really be helpful.

[Related: 8 Books You Should Read To Improve Your Social Communication Skills]

• Isolation

Both you and your students may deal with isolation. Moving the learning online has made it hard to socialize, which is one of the fun parts of college/school life.

• Technical Problems

Technical problems such as device malfunction or poor connectivity might affect the class. 

• Uncertainty

We can’t plan for uncertainty. You may be expecting a lot of students to take your course but you only get a few. 

In a Nutshell

Online teaching has opened doors to  new opportunities for job seekers around the world. Unlike conventional teaching, in most instances, there is no need for you to have a degree to become an online teacher. If you are good at what you teach and how you teach, you can make a decent career teaching online. 

You see a lot of job postings every day for online teachers, which is a consequence of their high demand today. Are you passionate about teaching? Well, now is the best time to get started! 

***

Interested in learning more about the job market and opportunities for non-degree holders? We've got you covered! You can start your job search here or check out more of our blogs that answer your most urgent questions.

---

Photo by AndreyPopov via Canva