Teaching online courses has become a mainstream method of education. It is now accepted as a legitimate educational approach by major universities and colleges. This is evidenced by the fact that they have established their own online programs. There have been numerous studies on online education performed and the consensus is that online teaching is as effective as onground teaching. The methods may be somewhat different but the results are the same. If a student has the desire to learn, he or she is going to learn regardless of educational format. Thus, there is no resulting stigma if a professor wishes to teach online.
There are many advantages to teaching online. One major advantage is its flexibility. You have the flexibility to work as much as you wish when you wish. You can teach as many courses as you wish. Also, you can accept courses that are offered at times and days that are convenient to you. You can remain home and do your online teaching or you can travel while you teach your courses. If you decide to take a cruise, the online teaching will pay for the vacation. Most online courses are asynchronous. This means that there is no need to be online at the same time as your students. You have the flexibility to be online sometime during the day when it is convenient to you. Also, you are not chained to a desk from 8 to 5. If you make part-time online teaching into a career, you will have no bosses. That is a major plus. However, the best part is that you have the ability to earn a six-figure income directly from your home or while at the beach. Never again will you have to worry about unemployment because you will be gainfully unemployed.
The disadvantages to teaching online as an adjunct professor are few. Until you have experience, it may take more time to teach online than it does to teach in a traditional classroom. You will never meet your students since they can be in any state or country. Online students need more hand-holding because they tend to be more apprehensive when they encounter problems or need clarification. Also, you must respond to student questions and grade assignments quickly to instill confidence and keep class moral high. Obviously, the advantages of online teaching far outweigh their disadvantages.
