If you relish holding the role of an educator and sharing your wealth of knowledge and experience with students of any age, then you might want to think about becoming an online tutor. This kind of position is perfect for anyone who wants to maintain their place in the world of education but requires greater flexibility, or perhaps just a healthier work-life balance.
Keen to get started, and launch your new career as a virtual educator? Here is a concise but helpful guide to get you on the right path to online teaching success.
Check Your Qualifications
Before you begin advertising your services as a virtual tutor, you need to make sure you have the right qualifications, and enough specialist knowledge to teach a particular subject.
You will also need general teaching expertise, such as how to design a course and prepare individual lessons – but because you will probably be self-employed, you will also need to hone your customer service skills to ensure you make a professional impression on potential students.
Get The Right Equipment
To be a proficient online educator, you need to have the correct equipment – such as a laptop or a PC and headphones – not to mention a decent Internet connection. You also need to be well-versed in the different types of software, tools, and virtual communication platforms that you will be using to teach and to keep in contact with your pupils.
For example, you will have to master the art of giving video lectures, creating online presentations, and setting and marking work online. You will also have to provide support for your pupils via email or web chat – among other options – and take part in online discussions on education forums.
Take The Time To Understand Your Students’ Thoughts And Needs
As you probably already know, in order to be a great teacher, you have to pay close attention to your individual students and their unique strengths and weaknesses, as well as focus on your virtual class as a whole.
To help ensure that everyone is getting the most out of your online lectures, you might want to think about using live audience polling, with the help of Vevox, to gain immediate engagement and feedback on how any given lecture is going. It’s a simple, effective, and interactive way to gain valuable insight into your students’ educational experience.
Don’t Stop Learning
Once you’ve built up a solid reputation as a proficient online tutor, you may not wish to stop there.
With your new skills and experience, you can opt to progress your career if you choose to – perhaps even entering the field of management, online course development, or becoming an educational consultant.
You should also keep abreast of any new developments in your chosen field, whether you specialise in English Literature, Political Science, or Art History.
Overview
For any trained teachers who seek more flexibility, and the chance to work for themselves, becoming an online tutor offers an ideal solution. Not only can you work from home, ensuring a healthy work-life balance, but you will also have greater freedom to pick and choose your working hours and design your own courses. There is also the chance to progress down exciting new avenues if you choose to pursue them – though you may find that online tutoring is amply fulfilling in its own right.
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