Where and How to Find Online Teaching Jobs

Teaching is the best job in the world. You help people. You spend your work life energy participating in an endlessly fascinating process. You also get paid to learn.

Online teaching adds geographical independence and a big dose of entrepreneurship to the life of a teacher.  I've found that to be a very good thing.

As the program advisor and instructor for the University of Wisconsin-Stout's Online Teaching Graduate Certificate Program,  I teach online classes every semester.  Another very important part of my job is helping people find work.

I try to keep our students informed of new jobs as I find them. However,  when I search I find thousands of online teaching jobs.  I can't republish them all on my E-Learning and Online Teaching Jobs Blog. Instead, I want to show you where you can find those job leads for yourself.  (Don't miss the RSS feeds highlighting e-jobs found in the right hand column of this blog.)

I'm convinced, that at this very moment, the perfect online teaching job is waiting for any talented teacher with the right combination of subject matter skills, e-learning training and professional networking.

The E-Learning Employment Triangle:

With the proper qualifications most work will come through your professional network. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't search directly for work and put together the necessary paperwork to land the online teaching jobs you seek.

Here are two job search engines that produce results.  Take the time to set up accounts and upload fresh resumes.  Be sure your online e-portfolios are polished and ready for a critical eye.  Then start searching!

Indeed.com

SimplyHired.com

One final hint:  These snapshots represent searches for very recent jobs.  You can also search for all job listings because even if the institution doesn't have a job available right now, you might land one in the future.   Don't under estimate the power of getting your application into the Adjunct hiring pool.  

Read More about Finding E-Learning Jobs! 
Here are more articles about strategies for finding online work, and the kinds of preparation and paperwork you should be working on: 

1. Where and How to Find E-Learning Jobs
2. Finding E-Learning Jobs* This will help you see the big picture! 
3. Finding Online Teaching Jobs: Are you a Online Teaching, Adjunct Instructor, K-12 Virtual Teacher? 
4. E-Portfolios for Career Development: It's not just resumes anymore! This is why we require a portfolio based on your course work in the E-Learning Certificate Program.
5. Make Money Teaching Online Cheesy title, but a great marketing plan for anyone looking for an academic online career.
6. Successful Techniques and Proven Strategies for Finding Online Teaching Work

Finding Online Teaching Jobs: Are you a Online Teaching, Adjunct Instructor, K-12 Virtual Teacher?

Getting Started Teaching Online

I recommend Brian Robison's How to Teach Online website. Brian has done a wonderful job of explaining how an adjunct instructor, online professor, or virtual schoolteacher can compete effectively for the many online teaching opportunities available across the country and around the world.

Sign up for Brian's E-Learning Tips newsletter.  He's very clever, has great insights, and is good writer. Brian has created a series of  highly informative articles, many backed up by a training video, that will walk you through the process of finding and keeping online teaching jobs.

You'll learn  how to juggle multiple jobs with different online campuses. He'll help you understand time management and the necessity of getting organized before you are swamped with responsibilities. your time as you dig in to find enough online work to make a reasonable living. He talks sense about writing resumes and CVs,  sending applications, and professionalizing your email.  He also has rock solid advice on how to keep re-applying for e-jobs in a way that will keep an HR manager interested.  Consider his advice when you're told a school is not hiring.



They are NOT hiring! - Online Teaching Jobs from Brian Robison on Vimeo.

To develop a full time job as an Adjunct Instructor you must pro-actively work to grow your employment base beyond a single institution.  It's not wise to have all of your eggs in one basket. Most adjuncts create a full-time online job by teaching courses for a number of schools.

Most of this is just good common sense that Brian will explain to you in upbeat clear prose. It  helps to get advice from an online pro who thinks deeply about the job search realities of being an online adjunct instructor. He'll show you how to search for jobs and cope with the confusing and sometimes frustrating pursuit of online employment.

As I explained in my article, Finding E-Learning Jobs, you must develop your subject matter expertise, grow your professional network, and polish your online teaching skills. Once you're prepared to teach online you'll need determination and a solid plan to find the right jobs.

As you plan your online career, be sure you go to Brian's website: http://www.howtoteachonline.com.

• Think about how to organize yourself to become a successful online teacher. 
• Sign up for his newsletter
• Watch his videos
• Take action!

Listen to Brian. He's a sharp guy and he's talking sense!


Read More about Finding E-Learning Jobs! 


Here are more articles about strategies for finding online work, and the kinds of preparation and paperwork you should be working on: 

1. Where and How to Find E-Learning Jobs
2. Finding E-Learning Jobs
3. Finding Online Teaching Jobs: Are you a Online Teaching, Adjunct Instructor, K-12 Virtual Teacher? 
4. E-Portfolios for Career Development: It's not just resumes anymore!
5. Make Money Teaching Online 
6. Successful Techniques and Proven Strategies for Finding Online Teaching Work

E-Portfolios for Career Development: It's not just resumes anymore!

Powerful New Ways to Use ePortfolios in the Classroom

The E-Learning and Online Teaching Graduate Certificate program at UW-Stout includes the class by class development of an online portfolio. The portfolio features artifacts of learning that demonstrate both the technical expertise and theoretical knowledge regarding e-learning and online teaching. During the Practicum, in addition to actively teaching in an online class, participants finalize their portfolios with an emphasis on career development. Portfolios help distinguish any application for an online teaching job. 

Here's an overview of the e-Portfolio project that is finalized during the E-Learning Practicum. Numerous examples from program graduates are included.





This video will give you additional insight to ePortfolios:

This week's blog features top resources and emerging uses of ePortfolios in the classroom, including reflective practice and implementation challenges. Explore new ways of using digital portfolios to showcase, assess and deepen learning.

Googlios
This site is where Google tools meet ePortfolios.  It offers a  collection of resources for those interested in using ePortfolios in Education. You will also find solid videos and examples using Google Sites.

Making Learning Visible and Meaningful Through Electronic Portfolios
Terrell Rhodes provides examples of how several higher ed campuses use rubrics with eportfolios to provide multi-dimensional evidence of students' abilities.

ePortfolios with Google Apps
Helen Barrett's extensive experience with eportfolios is evident in her comprehensive guide to using Google Apps for ePortfolios.

Is the Future of ePortfolios in Your Pocket?
Helen Barrett challenges educators to consider how mobile learning tools can be used to capture learning "on the fly"  for ongoing revision of eportfolios.

The Learning Portfolio: Reflective Practice for Improving Student Learning (pdf - 19 pages)
John Zubizaretta describes key questions to consider when developing effective portfolios to support reflective learning. Included are sample questions to help students reflect on their learning.

ePortfolio Rubric
Joan Vandervelde's rubric can be used for assessment of student eportfolios.

A 10-Step Plan for Getting Started with ePortfolios
 Nick Rate's slideshare presentation describes the thought processes behind the ten steps needed to implement a successful eportfolio program.

Electronic Portfolios for Student Learning?
Amy Cavendar offers five key questions for all educators to consider when implementing eportfolios.

Tech Tip: Google Docs Secrets: 21 Power Tips For the Productivity Suite

Keir Thomas provides some little-known tips about Google Docs features, such as: creating drawings within presentations, fixing pictures into position, and dragging images directly from the desktop in Firefox or Chrome.


This post is based on the work and research of Karen Franker, Editor of UW-Stout's Tech Tips for Educators. Karen provides a rich archive of information that is constantly updated. Visit and Bookmark!


Read More about Finding E-Learning Jobs! 
Here are more articles about strategies for finding online work, and the kinds of preparation and paperwork you should be working on: 

1. Where and How to Find E-Learning Jobs
2. Finding E-Learning Jobs
3. Finding Online Teaching Jobs: Are you a Online Teaching, Adjunct Instructor, K-12 Virtual Teacher? 
4. E-Portfolios for Career Development: It's not just resumes anymore!
5. Make Money Teaching Online 
6. Successful Techniques and Proven Strategies for Finding Online Teaching Work

The Advantages and Realities of Teaching Online

National and International Reach

The courses at UW-Stout are open to learners from around the world. Over the years in addition to North America, I've worked with people from most of the countries of Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.  In addition to a large group from the Wisconsin, last semester we had participants from Minnesota, Illinois, Iowa, Vermont, New York, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Georgia, Florida, California, and Alaska. From overseas there were teachers connecting from Korea, China, Taiwan, Okinawa, Dubai, Germany, Austria, and England.

Joining our classes means you are preparing to learn and make a living well beyond the boundaries of our home towns.

Teaching Tactics: Notes Become Grade Book Comments

I'll often write my responses into the grade comments area of the course management area as I read the posts. This helps me capture my thinking, without jumping into the discussion too early or too often.
D2L allows me to make preliminary notes in a grade field invisible to participants. This way I capture my thinking about each post as I read and work a bit on my comments for the week. I can then paste my reactions into the public discussion when I'm ready to wrap up the week.

Discussion Dynamics

You might ask, why not just post what you have to say in the discussion? An instructor already has a big voice in a class. I write my own classes, so my voice is present in both the content and the discussions.  I don't want to dominate a conversation or cut it short. At the same time I want students to know I'm present, and attentive.  Walking this fine line between either hijacking a conversation or disappearing as the discussion rushes by is one of the skills all online instructors must constantly practice.

Seasoned Faculty

All of the instructors in our program are highly experienced professionals with exceptional online teaching abilities.  At the same we're all teachers and learners tuned to the needs of those just entering the field.  Our goal is to help you learn both the theory and practical every day technology driven realities of working and teaching online.

How Dreams Become Goals

If you've ever dreamed of giving up the commute to the classroom for the freedom of e-learning, now's the time to turn your dreams into goals.  Join us for a great semester of online teaching and learning!

Register now for the  University of Wisconsin-Stout's Fully Online Classes in E-Learning and Online Teaching!

Certificate Home Page
Last Call for Summer 2011
EDUC 760 E-Learning for Educators Two start date options: Begins June 20, 2011.  

Where will you be a year from now? Register now!

Make Money Teaching Online!

The best time to look for work is when you already have a job. This is when you make your plans.  Planning to leave the face to face classroom for virtual work takes preparation as well.

Finding a job is so much more than shooting resumes out via email.  Certainly the a good resume is part of the picture, but it's just one tool of many you need to sharpen as you work toward a career change. 

Be prepared!

I went back to school and got a certificate in online teaching and learning as well as a Masters Degree in Education with an emphasis on distance learning. I could see the future coming and I loved the work. I taught part time for Connected University and held on to my classroom job.  I chased grants and learned to both design and teach online. I believed hard work, dedication, and setting goals would change my world.  Eventually I took the leap to full time online employment. Despite my preparations,  it took me several years to learn the ropes.

I wish I knew then, what I know now.

I recall attending a conference just after I left the 'security' of the classroom and a traditional job.  I was at the conference to learn and to network, but I really didn't know what I was doing.  An educational sales rep took pity on me and briefly schooled me. 

• Get a business card.
• Establish a web presence.
• Network with decision makers.
• Join and participate in professional groups.

I did all that and more. Over the first few years of my career, working with dial up modems from a small mountain town, I learned project my work and experience across the country using the Internet.

The first year as a consultant and online teacher involved a lot of trial and error.  I remember sending out hundreds of reasonably crafted and targeted emails with resume.  The silence was deafening.  The offers were few, far between, and underpaid.  It was very discouraging. But that's what it took for me to realize I needed to reach out to the people I knew and truly network. My Eureka Moment came when I reconnected with some great teachers I'd met via ISTE.  After that door open to more opportunities than I could have imagined.

To prepare for an academic online teaching career I recommend reading Make Money Teaching Online.



The book helps you get organized and set goals. When I read this book I didn't learn anything new. I did see  much of what I'd learned by trial and error and hard knocks laid out chapter by chapter.  If you are just getting started, or if you are stalled and wondering how to grow your academic career, read the book.  It's filled with solid advice.  Follow the advice and you'll be better prepared when opportunity comes your way.

Read More about Finding E-Learning Jobs! 

Here are more articles about strategies for finding online work, and the kinds of preparation and paperwork you should be working on: 

1. Where and How to Find E-Learning Jobs
2. Finding E-Learning Jobs
3. Finding Online Teaching Jobs: Are you a Online Teaching, Adjunct Instructor, K-12 Virtual Teacher? 
4. E-Portfolios for Career Development: It's not just resumes anymore!
5. Make Money Teaching Online 
6. Successful Techniques and Proven Strategies for Finding Online Teaching Work

Successful Techniques and Proven Strategies for Finding Online Teaching Work.

Be Prepared, Professional and Persistent!

Find the Jobs:
 
Searching for online work requires a plan, perseverance, and organization. An adjunct instructor is both a teacher and a business person. Ongoing search for work is part of the profession. This article will help you pursue your goals in a methodical and effective manner.

As an adjunct, you'll have great flexibility as well as the responsibility for maximizing your own efficiency. It's likely you'll have multiple jobs with different deadlines. This is a good thing. Rather than have all of your work with one client, seek to diversify into many jobs. It's important to work with many clients because you are increasing your opportunities for new classes. Another advantage of not having all your eggs in one basket is you protect yourself against the effects of loosing a job.


Many online jobs come from your network of friends and professional colleagues. I've written extensively on the importance of networking. You should also be aware of what's available in your current place of employment. However, you also need to pursue a more direct and generalized job search.

Find online instructors and look at their homepages. Watch for links to their places of employment. Another approach is to use the following websites to find schools that are offering online programs. From there click through to the school's homesite and begin investigating the programs and courses that they offer.

Find Online Schools that may be hiring:

• www.adjunctnation.com
• www.chronicle.com
• www.educationcenteronline.com
• www.elearners.com
• www.geteducated.com
• www.program-online-degree.com
• www.worldwidelearn.com

Websites and blogs that list online work:


Online Adjunct Jobs

E-Learning and Online Teaching Jobs

Apply for work:

Craft an introductory email.  Be sure to provide information about your qualifications. Be sure to list the courses you are qualified to teach in your introductory e-mail.

Mention specific courses offered by the school you are applying to. Be sure to include the school's course numbers.  Make it seem that you are focused just on their school, even if you are applying to multiple employers.

Find your way to the Universities contact page. Follow the HR application procedures specified on each website, but take it a step further.  Include a cover letter detailing your qualifications and the specific classes your are qualified to teach. Include your Curriculum Vitae.  The problem with the standard 'HR' route is lack of visibility with the decision makers.  Your application could end up in a database or at the bottom of an unprocessed pile of forms.

Double your chances bye going directly to the department level. You will need to research the academic hierarchy of the departments that offer the classes you wish to teach. Find the email addresses so you can write the department chairpersons and school deans.

Send an email with a formal introduction to the decision makers.  Address them at Doctor (just assume they have a terminal degree).

Be sure subject line of your email is concise and indicates you are job hunting.  Consider:  Seeking Online Position, Adjunct E-learning Professional, Referral, Online Teaching Position.

Bcc yourself on all applications.  Keep these copies organized. It may take months to get a response, so be sue you have the history of correspondence organized.  Some compile a spreadsheet, other organized by file folders or tags.  Develop a method and maintain it!

Bcc the dean of the department when you write the department chair.  (Double cover your bases, it can't hurt.

Respond quickly and professionally:

• Keep electronic copies of all your transcripts.  This is especially important for your most recent degree.
• Keep on hand, the addresses you'll need to request official transcripts.
• Have an updated and expanded curriculum vitae.  This is more than a one page business style resume.  Academic CV's should be complete and extensive.
• A generic cover letter you can tune to the employer's interests.
• A reference list.  Be sure to have at least three professional references. Also be sure to inform your references in advance with note that they may be contacted.
• A list of the specific courses you want to teach at the university you are corresponding with.
• An online portfolio or teaching website you maintain regularly.
• A statement of your teaching philosophy. Write two tight paragraphs about how and why you teach.

Read More about Finding E-Learning Jobs! 
Here are more articles about strategies for finding online work, and the kinds of preparation and paperwork you should be working on: 

1. Where and How to Find E-Learning Jobs
2. Finding E-Learning Jobs
3. Finding Online Teaching Jobs: Are you a Online Teaching, Adjunct Instructor, K-12 Virtual Teacher? 
4. E-Portfolios for Career Development: It's not just resumes anymore!
5. Make Money Teaching Online 
6. Successful Techniques and Proven Strategies for Finding Online Teaching Work