how to decide what to teach for my first online course

First off, you need to decide whether your course is all text, a mix of text and screenshots, video, or a mix of all three. Have you considered the learning styles of your students? Is what you are teaching better demonstrated through content and screenshots, or are videos a must?

Full Answer

What should I know before teaching my first online course?

The best piece of advice I could give an instructor who would be teaching his/her first online course is to ensure you’ve gotten the proper training to teach online! That is, it’s important to appreciate the notion that just because you may be an effective face-to-face instructor does not mean, by any stretch, you’d be an effective online one.

How to take your online teaching to the next level?

To take your online teaching to the next level, your best option is to start your own business where you can have full control of your teaching career. This is also where DIY courses and Thrive Themes come in. Building your own business teaching online from home is definitely for the solo-entrepreneur inside you.

What makes online teaching successful?

It’s true that a lot of online teaching success is about course organization, like making sure content is clear, posted in the right place and linked to working supplementary materials. You have to anticipate student questions.

How do I teach classes online?

To teach classes online, you’ll need a quiet space with good acoustics for recording, and no chance of getting interrupted — be it human, loud road traffic, or a needy cat. By kick-starting discussions within your course, you cultivate a community.

How do I choose an online course topic?

First, do a quick keyword search for the topic of your online course. Then, check the total number of views for the top results of that keyword. If they have a high number of views, that's a good indication that there is interest in your topic.

What is the best subject to teach online?

Top 25 Money Making Subjects to Teach OnlineFitness and Weight Loss. As a fitness or weight loss coach, there are a number of ways to produce content that is educational for your customers. ... Arts & Crafts. ... Entrepreneurship. ... Marketing. ... Yoga. ... Life Coaching. ... Nutrition and Diet. ... Programming.More items...•

How can I teach online courses effectively?

The 3 Keys to Teaching Online Classes EffectivelyClear communication with your students' families. ... Vary your types of lessons. ... Select the right tools for your class. ... Build a strong online classroom community. ... Connect with parents and keep them involved. ... Add discussions to increase engagement and comprehension.More items...•

How do I start my first online class?

0:015:483 engaging ways to start your online class - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt's not immediately going to go into the lecture or the exercise. Or what activity you're focusingMoreIt's not immediately going to go into the lecture or the exercise. Or what activity you're focusing on that day it really helps them settle in so that they're focused. They're excited about the class.

Which topic is best for teaching?

Teaching TopicsConstructing Student Learning Outcomes. ... Could I Have the Notes? ... The Course Design Journey. ... Dealing with Classroom Incivilities. ... Effective Grading for Student Learning. ... How to Conduct a Peer Observation. ... Teaching for Diversity and Inclusion. ... With, For and About: Approaching Diversity in Teaching.More items...

What can you teach a class in 5 minutes?

11 Skills That You Can Learn In 5 Minutes Or Less And They Will Change Your Life!Changing a tire. Source. ... Shaking someone's hand and introducing yourself. Source. ... How to tie a tie. ... Protecting your shoes, slippers in public places. ... Doing a CPR. ... Using a fire extinguisher. ... Folding your shirts properly.

What makes a good online instructor?

The best online teachers make every interaction a positive experience, even from a distance. When students know they have a dedicated and supportive teacher, they're empowered to try new things, inspired to ask questions, and comfortable seeking help when they need it.

How do I make my online classes more interactive?

5 ways to make online learning more interactiveAsk for feedback. Any chance the learners have to leave feedback is a great opportunity for interaction. ... Let people choose the way. ... Make it social. ... Invite learners to contribute. ... Encourage peer evaluation.

How do teachers start the first day of class?

1:4111:08First Day of Class teacher introduction activities, ideas and icebreakersYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo I like to start my class off by telling the students. Exactly what will happen in each class. AndMoreSo I like to start my class off by telling the students. Exactly what will happen in each class. And then it helps them to mentally prepare. For each stage of the lesson.

What are some interesting ways to start a lesson?

Adding fun, new activities at the start of class can motivate kids to want to come to school, boost grades, and encourage positive behavior....11 warm-up activities in the classroomPlay Classcraft. ... Try popcorn reading. ... Have sharing time. ... Solve a brain teaser. ... Watch a video. ... Start a debate. ... Present a writing prompt.More items...•

How do you introduce yourself on the first day of class as a teacher?

1:012:48How to Introduce Yourself as a Teacher with Students - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWith each other before knowing about you all first i would like to introduce. Myself in short soMoreWith each other before knowing about you all first i would like to introduce. Myself in short so class my name is manjuroy sharma and i'm from kolkata.

Who can create online courses?

Anyone with knowledge in a particular area can create online courses. You don’t need a formal qualification or a degree to teach an online course....

How much money can you make selling online courses?

While some course creators make $50k+ month, most successful ones make between $1k-$10k per month. However, your actual course revenue depends on v...

How long does it take to create an online course?

As you might expect, there is no set-in-stone amount of time to create an online course. Generally speaking, it can take anywhere between 20 and 50...

What is the cost of creating an online course?

Generally speaking, it can cost you anywhere between $140 and $10,770 to create your own online course. But, of course, it could even be more, as m...

Can I create an online course for free?

Yes, it is possible to create an online course for free, but for that, you’ll need to do all the work yourself. Plus, you should use your smartphon...

How long should an online course be?

An online course should be as long or short as it needs to deliver value to your target audience and cover the information thoroughly. Overall, it...

What technical skills do I need to create an online course?

In most cases, you don’t need any technical skills. You’ll have to learn about a few things, such as video creation and setting up your course webs...

Where can I host my online course?

There are several options for hosting your online course, but the two best platforms are Thinkific and Kajabi. These platforms allow you to build y...

How much should you charge for your online course?

There is no definite answer to this, and you need to evaluate your competition, the value your course provides to students, and the niche you’re in...

How to network with students online?

Online student networking Most online courses start by having the students write an introduction and posting it on the discussion or bulletin board. Its takes time to get acquainted, so take advantage of it. Find someone in the class who you find interesting and send them a private e-mail using their school e-mail address. Let them know you like their posting and why. Keep it short and simple. Having a friend in an online class is important — you can compare notes, share thoughts and understandings of assignments, and be a little less alone in class.

How to organize your school?

Set aside some physical space for class. Set aside some space in your home to keep your school stuff. It is important to have some organization, even if it's just two folders — a physical one for important papers and a folder on your computer where you put all your papers. Put your books, some blank paper, a pen, and a highlighter all in one place.

How long does it take to get a book from a bookstore?

Once you've logged on, locate the bookstore and order your books for your course (s). Sometimes it takes 10 days to get the book to you, so you want to do this right away.

Is online learning like face to face?

Congratulations! Distance learning is a great (and convenient) way to advance your career and education. In fact, an online course is much like face-to-face course in that it must meet the highest standards of quality design and instruction.

Do you need to match your login and password for class?

Most of the time, your login and password for class will match your login and password for the school. Avoid finding yourself without this essential information when the help desk is unavailable and your first assignment is due, so make sure you can log in, even if you can't access your course right away.

Who taught online before 2008?

That piece of advice I learned about teaching online before I taught my first online course in 2008 came from Erika Beljaars Harris, who worked in the Center for Distance Education (then) at the University of Texas at Arlington.

What are some mistakes instructors make?

One of the most common mistakes I see instructors making is creating course content that cannot be maintained over time. Video, for example, is a very heavy medium: it costs a lot to modify video material, so avoid putting details that are likely to change into course videos, like specific rubric percentages, assignment descriptions, grading policies or staff names. Instead, keep those in more fluid formats, like text, which allow for easier maintenance. If you're unsure of whether some material is good, test it via text before investing the time and energy to film it.

What is the highest completion rate for MOOCs?

Coursera reported that their Learning Hubs participants show higher completion rates, ranging from 30 percent to 100 percent, versus the 6.8 percent Coursera-wide average.

Is it easier to find scholarly content online?

Finding solid, scholarly content online has never been easier, but it takes time. Also important is setting learning goals for the class as well as for units. Rather than thinking of weeks as we tend to do with face-to-face classes, modules work best in online formats.

The Benefits of Online Teaching

There are more benefits to teaching online than many first realize. This is a lucrative sector with a web of opportunities that can expand as your online presence grows.

Tips on Preparing How to Teach Online

Your biggest advantage as a teacher is that no one else can teach quite like YOU can.

Your Turn to Teach Online

Your tool kit to get started teaching online should be pretty full by now.

Why do people buy online courses?

People buy online courses because: They want to learn from an actual person with experience. The information is put together in an easily digestible step by step system or format. The course can produce a clear outcome that they desire.

How long does it take to get a food website up and running?

The one big outcome: Have your own local food website up and running in just 1 week.

Do you find the next step necessary?

Depending on what you found at the last step, you may not find this next step necessary - especially if you already have an audience or client group telling you they want to learn more from you.

Is it better to build a website or to keep it broad?

Initial idea: “Building a website”. This is way too vague. You might think it’s good to keep it broad and appeal to a larger audience, but in doing so you’ll risk appealing to no one. It’s much better to define exactly who your course will serve, so that when the right people come across it, they’ll know it’s for them.