Teaching distance learning

[BeenThereDoneThat74]

I'm interested to hear from anyone who teaches exclusively online, especially if you have transitioned from brick and mortar academia. Pros, cons, major differences? What is the schedule like (are you spending more or less time preparing and 'teaching')? How does the pay compare? What is the student interaction like? This is not for research purposes, I am thinking of branching into this world.

[llg, PhD, RN]

The folks hired by the school I adjunct for all have expertise in the subjects they teach (not just a year of two of staff nursing) and experience in teaching face-to-face -- either as a nursing instructor or as a staff development instructor.

[passionflower, BSN, MSN, RN]

No clue. But I work from home and have a 15 step commute (up the stairs to my office). Benefits are great.

I want to be you when I "grow up".

I am in the program at WGU right now RN-MSN bridge (nurse educator) and I LOVE IT.

[BeenThereDoneThat74, MSN, RN]

To those who work in online education, what experience are you looking for in applicants to instructor (or mentor or adjunct? so many distinctions!) positions in addition to a MSN in education? I feel like I will complete my program and not have a lot of teaching experience outside of the bedside to recommend me- makes me anxious!

I do not have online teaching experience (as I am the OP, who was inquiring), but I would imagine they would want someone with some traditional experience, as a starting point for teaching. In my current job now, I am teaching a hybrid course (partially online, in a brick and mortar program). While this seems to be much more common in my region and university system, they will never truly go completely online (it is a traditional, community college ADN program). I have used many online tools in my courses thus far (for students to complete prior to class, as study tools, and as well as 'virtual conferences' . I feel like my current position has given me experience to venture into this field on a part time basis, and/or as a mentor. Mentoring is a constant part of my job, and I actually enjoy it!

PARichards: we all started somewhere; many of us as adjuncts. I was fortunate enough to start as 'part time' in the school where I got my ADN (a classmate in my masters program was doing her practicum there, and she told me they were looking, so I put myself out there, and it paid off). Hopefully your practicum experience will lead to something more. I've also known a few nurses who made their start as adjuncts, per the recommendation of clinical instructors on their units. If you work in a specialty where students come for clinicals, speak to the instructor. If you are one of those nurses that he/she loves giving students to, they may steer you in the right direction (with a good word).

[kajalsengupta]

I teach exclusively online. I used to teach in brick and mortar classes for about twenty years. From 2008 I switched to online teaching. I freelance. I tutor for some companies and accept private students ( using virtual classroom of WizIQ .com). I teach Physics for grade IX-XII students. It requires time and patience to build up your reputation as online teacher.

[SHGR, MSN, RN, CNS]

The low pay for online educators makes me wonder why the courses cost so dang much. In fact, sometimes they cost MORE than in-person courses because of "online fees." It seems that the formatting and quality vary widely both between and within institutions. Which is fine if you just need an RN-to-BSN piece of paper to get or keep a job, but if you really want to learn something and get value for your tuition- or teach a course and be paid more than minimum wage, as a PP attested- then that is a real issue.