What Makes a Good Online Teacher

There are many qualities that make a good teacher, but one of the most important is being able to see things from your student’s perspective. This means communicating in ways that let them know you care about their needs and wants.

You need to foster a classroom culture of mutual respect. This can be as simple as making sure every student has a voice or by requiring all students to work together on projects instead of just passively sitting there waiting for instruction. A good teacher puts students first. They are not the only ones who benefit from learning. The best teachers understand that sharing knowledge is a gift. It is something they should give freely and without any expectation of reward.

It’s important to have empathy for your students, but you also need to put them outside your comfort zone every now and then. This means not being afraid to challenge their assumptions or force them out of their comfort zone by showing them new ways of thinking about things that are unfamiliar or even frightening.

10 Tips for Being a Good Online Teacher

1. Do Your Research

Before the start of any school year, research the policies and procedures at your school district. This will help you make informed decisions about what you can and can’t do.

2. Be Aware of Boundaries

Whatever it is you do, be aware that there are boundaries between what’s allowed and not allowed these days, whether they be physical or virtual (e.g., students using social networking sites). Don’t cross them without having good reasons for doing so.

3. Teach According to Specific Learning Goals

As soon as possible, after registration, begin talking with your students about what their learning goals are for this course. Have them share what they are looking to gain by taking this course.

Then make sure you plan lesson activities and assignments, so they will meet those goals. Sometime during the school year, you should update your students on how they are doing on reaching those goals in a clear manner, so there aren’t any surprises by the end of the school year.

4. The Importance of Connecting with Your Students

Regardless of teaching online or face to face, it’s important to connect with your students. Whether that means holding office hours, attending classroom parties, or marking a student’s work when they are absent and struggling, try not to let communication lapse for too long without checking in with them.

5. Students’ Perceptions of You

It’s important to consider their own perceptions of you as a teacher. If you are harsh or impersonal, they won’t take you seriously, and if you are over-the-top nice and friendly, they won’t respect you.

Think about what your students might tell other students about your teaching style so that when they meet them in the hall or in the cafeteria, they have a good image in their heads of what classroom life is like.

6. New Teachers Shouldn’t Fear Being Introduced to the class By a Student

New teachers should not be afraid to be introduced to a student in the first few weeks of school. This can be a good opportunity to break the ice and make you a little more human to your students.

7. The Importance of Being Engaging and Inspiring

No matter what course you are teaching, try to really engage your students in the material. This might mean showing visuals, using activities, or asking questions about real-world applications of what they are studying in class.

Think about how you can inspire them to want to learn more on their own after class or after they have taken a test that they feel they need additional help with. Great teachers will want their students to succeed beyond the classroom walls.

8. The Importance of Being Accessible

Being accessible can be a challenge to your plans if you’ve decided to teach online. If you’re busy with work or other obligations, it’s important that you make time to chat with students by phone, email, or in person.

Remember that since you have a different schedule than the rest of the students in your classroom, it might take some extra planning for you to meet with them away from school. It’s still important for your students to see that you care about them outside of class.

9. Be a Team Player and Lead By Example

Be a team player and lead by example when teaching. If you want to get more done as a team, you’ll need to start by being a team player yourself.

Being a team player means being willing to set aside your own preferences and agendas for the good of the group. It also means that you can’t blame others when things go wrong, even if they are not responsible for the problem. You should take responsibility for your own actions and decisions.

10. The Importance of Being Present with Your Students

It’s important not to miss opportunities to be with your students through class activities, like visiting their websites or blogs or commenting on the work they have turned in online.

The Final Word

Teaching is an act of service. Its goal is to help others develop, learn, and become more knowledgeable. Teachers guide their students in shaping their own futures by helping them explore opportunities, think independently, and persevere through the challenges they will face.