ADVANCING
YOUR PRACTICE
Make the
connections: Become an online educator
By Michelle D. Dorin, RN, CDE, CNS,
PhD
Teaching online is now a hot topic
among nursing professionals. But as tempting as this opportunity
seems, have you asked yourself what teaching online entails and
if it’s something you could do—or would want to do?
To help you decide, I’ll tell you about online education,
the qualifications you’d need, and the steps to finding
a job.
Virtual virtues
Distance learning, which has been around for years, takes many
forms. Some programs provide lectures to telecommuting students
via satellite; others use videotapes and CD-ROMS; and still others
combine all of these resources.
Despite these choices, the fastest
growing form of distance learning is online education. As the
term suggests, online education creates a virtual classroom accessible
through the Internet. With online education, students with computer
access can “go to class” from anywhere in the world
by logging into a university’s online learning system.
Most online classes meet in a main
“discussion forum” or “newsgroup” where
instructors post discussion questions and students respond to
them, interact with their peers, and “discuss” relevant
class readings or topics. Instructors evaluate and grade these
student postings based on whether they’re accurate and thoughtful
and whether they successfully integrate concepts and data from
assigned readings. Lectures, which may be posted online, may not
be presented as frequently as they are in a standard classroom
setting, but instructors often provide students with reading assignments
or links to important information that students must read and
analyze.
In addition to completing required
reading and participating in online discussions, students typically
have at least one assignment due per week. Assignments may include
papers, PowerPoint presentations, tests, or tutorials; may require
work to be completed individually or in teams; and generally are
submitted online.
Overall, online classes require a
time commitment that’s similar to that of classes in a traditional
university—minus the commute! Online instructors and students
can “attend class” any time of day or night.
Online education may be an extension
of a traditional university setting that also offers online courses
and programs. Or it may be offered by a “cyber school”
where enrollment, learning, testing, and grading are accomplished
solely online.
Degree programs offered by online
nursing programs include RN-to-BSN, RN-to-MSN, MSN, and PhD.
Online education makes the classroom
accessible to students and teachers alike, literally bringing
home the opportunity to learn and teach where such opportunities
may not otherwise exist.
Ready to teach?
Faculty members for most BSN level courses are generally required
to have at least an MSN degree. This requirement is true for online
faculty as well, although requirements differ for each institution.
If you’re interested in working for a particular school,
check with its human resources office.
For an online teaching position,
most universities will want to hire someone with previous teaching
experience. For traditional nursing programs that offer both types
of classes, online courses are sometimes reserved for full-time
faculty. New instructors aren’t typically given the opportunity
to teach online until they’ve taught at least a semester
or two in the classroom.
So if you’re currently teaching
for a traditional college, you’re in a good position to
supplement your responsibilities by teaching for the same program
online. If your institution doesn’t yet have an online program,
submit a proposal to start one—you just may become your
college’s expert on online learning.
If you’re not currently a member
of a teaching faculty, don’t despair. Opportunities to teach
in a completely cyber environment are plentiful, and if you have
good knowledge, experience, or expertise in a particular field,
you’re a good candidate for an online teaching position.
Getting started
After you’ve determined you want to teach online, you may
wonder: Where do I start? First, don’t doubt yourself. If
you know your field, you can teach online, even if you’re
not yet an expert with computers. Most institutions offer computer
training prior to teaching a class, so don’t let those lingering
doubts deter you.
Second, ask around. Do any of your
friends, family members, or colleagues teach online courses? Have
any of your colleagues taken online courses? If so, ask about
the reputation of the institution, see if it’s accredited,
and find out what qualifications are needed. If you know someone
who already teaches online, ask him to submit a recommendation
for you. Many cyber universities have an online form that their
employees can use to recommend others for teaching positions.
If you don’t have any contacts
with faculty connected to an online program but you have teaching
experience, your local college or university may be a great place
to start.
Many reputable cyber programs are
looking for competent nurses to teach online for them. You can
try the University of Phoenix Online, Kaplan University, Walden
University Online, The College Network, Grand Canyon University,
the University of Cincinnati, or one of many others.
New online programs are started fairly
regularly. Try searching on Google for “online nursing programs”
and see the long list of possibilities. After you’ve identified
those institutions that interest you, press on!
Nailing it down
Now that you’ve identified where you want to work, update
an electronic version of your résumé or curriculum
vitae (CV). Emphasize any prior teaching experience, including
presentations, staff-development programs, lectures, and patient
education.
Then you're ready to apply! Much
of this process is done online, so that part is easy. Go to an
institution’s Web site and click on “Jobs” or
“Human Resources.”
After you’ve submitted your
initial job request and attached your résumé or
CV, be prepared to submit transcripts, nursing licenses, and at
least two letters of recommendation. These items aren’t
generally required with your initial application, but if you’re
contacted by a potential employer, you’ll want to be able
to submit these items quickly.
You may have a traditional face-to-face
interview—or not. Many online programs will ask a potential
instructor to take an online training class. Once that’s
completed successfully, the potential instructor will teach a
class with a preceptor. If the teaching experience is also successful,
the new instructor may begin teaching on her own, without an interview.
If you aren’t contacted about
a job, don’t give up. Consider revising your résumé
to make it more attractive. If you need additional experience,
get it and reapply. Remember, online education is here to stay.
Keep trying—there’s an opportunity out there for you.
If you're contacted by an online
institution, you’re well on your way. Respond to the institution’s
requests quickly and professionally. Remember, you’re not
the only one applying, so be upbeat and responsive. You’re
now in the hands of your prospective employer, with a rewarding
online teaching position potentially in your grasp.
Source: Nursing2009 Career Directory.
January 2009.
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