Virtual Teaching And Strategies: Transitioning From Teaching Traditional Classes To Online Classes

Abstract

As more technology has become available in many parts of the globe, a new type of student population has emerged.  The traditional student image of higher learning has been somewhat limited in many countries, but given the impact of the Internet, this traditional “student body” has changed.   Rather than being limited to regional demographics, the student body for educational institutions offering online courses has changed drastically.  In fact, these online courses have started yet another chapter in the history of education, known as virtual learning communities.  While online instructors may start out teaching students from local areas, this particular opportunity has been changing over the past decade.  In fact, many online instructors have noted an increase in a more diversified student population in their classes.  Further, they have realized the need to update their teaching skills, practices and strategies in order to accommodate the changing needs of the learners in the classroom, as well as updating their own teaching portfolio.  This paper will provide a brief overview of current recruitment and hiring methods used in the traditional hiring versus online hiring of educators.  Also, this paper will address the growing concerns of current traditional teachers as they approach the decision to transition over to online learning and how to obtain proper online instruction.  Finally, this paper will overview how one online university has approached online teacher training for both experienced instructors, as well as new teaching recruits as they prepare to transition from traditional classrooms over to virtual classes.