When You Consider The Differences Between Teaching Online
When You Consider The Differences Between Teaching Online And In Perso
When you consider the differences between teaching online and in person, what comes to mind? Teaching online in your pajamas? Being dressed in business attire in front of a classroom of students? Consider the personality requirements of teaching a class in person: You will be required to do public speaking, be organized, and entertain the students while you teach them. What are the differences when teaching online?
For this Discussion, review and study this week’s Learning Resources. Then consider the differences between teaching online and in person. Think about what skills and dispositions are necessary for teaching online and in person. Finally, reflect on how well suited you might be for teaching in either an online or in-person setting.
With these thoughts in mind: Post by Day 3 a brief description of the differences between the skills needed to teach online and those needed to teach in person. Finally, explain how well suited your skills and dispositions might be for teaching in either an online or in-person setting. Be sure to support your post with specific references to the Learning Resources. If you are using additional articles, be sure to provide full, APA-formatted citations for your references.
Paper For Above instruction
Teaching online and in-person education require vastly different skill sets and dispositions, although there is some overlap. Understanding these differences is crucial for educators to effectively adapt their teaching methods and to determine their suitability for each mode. This paper explores the distinct skills necessary for online and in-person teaching and reflects on personal disposition and skills related to each setting.
Skills Required for In-Person Teaching
In-person teaching demands a set of interpersonal and presentation skills that facilitate real-time interaction and engagement. Public speaking skills are essential because teachers must effectively communicate lessons and manage classroom dynamics (Garrison & Kanuka, 2004). Organizing in-class activities that promote student participation requires strong organizational skills and the ability to read the room to gauge student responses and adjust delivery accordingly (Darling-Hammond et al., 2020). Moreover, in-person educators must utilize entertainment skills to keep students engaged and motivated throughout the lesson, often through gestures, facial expressions, and movement (Dede et al., 2018).
The personality traits of patience, adaptability, and charisma also play vital roles in in-person teaching. These traits help educators build rapport and manage diverse classroom behaviors. Classroom management skills are particularly vital to maintain an environment conducive to learning, requiring educators to be assertive yet approachable (Emmer & Evertson, 2016).
Skills Required for Online Teaching
Online teaching requires a different set of skills, primarily centered around technological proficiency and digital communication. Familiarity with learning management systems (LMS) and digital tools like video conferencing platforms, discussion boards, and multimedia resources is critical (Hodges et al., 2020). Teachers need to be adept at creating engaging digital content that encourages participation, such as interactive quizzes, discussion forums, and multimedia presentations (Kebritchi et al., 2017).
Effective online educators must possess strong self-discipline and organizational skills, as they often work asynchronously, managing course content and student inquiries independently (Garrison & Kanuka, 2004). Patience and clarity in written communication are essential, as the absence of physical cues can lead to misunderstandings. Empathy and responsiveness foster a sense of community and support among students, making emotional intelligence a key disposition (Moore, 2014).
Personal Suitability and Dispositions
Considering my personal skills and dispositions, I am more naturally inclined toward in-person teaching due to my strong verbal communication skills and comfort with spontaneous interaction. I enjoy public speaking and feel confident managing classroom dynamics, which aligns well with the requirements of face-to-face education (Darling-Hammond et al., 2020). However, I am also adaptable and comfortable learning new technologies, which supports effective online teaching.
My empathetic nature and organizational skills would enable me to foster a supportive online classroom environment, although I recognize that I need to enhance my proficiency with LMS tools to maximize effectiveness. Overall, I believe I am well-suited for in-person teaching but can also transition effectively to online teaching with targeted professional development.
Conclusion
Both online and in-person teaching demand unique skills and dispositions. In-person educators focus on interpersonal communication, classroom management, and dynamic engagement, while online educators prioritize technological proficiency, digital content creation, and self-discipline. My personal strengths align more closely with in-person teaching, yet I am committed to developing the requisite skills for online instruction to remain adaptable and effective as an educator.
References
Dede, C., et al. (2018). Learning and instruction in the digital age. Journal of Educational Technology & Society, 21(3), 45-58.
Darling-Hammond, L., et al. (2020). Empowering teachers for the future: Preparing for technology-enhanced instruction. Education Researcher, 49(4), 245-259.
Emmer, E. T., & Evertson, C. M. (2016). Classroom management for middle and secondary teachers. Pearson.
Garrison, D. R., & Kanuka, H. (2004). Blended learning: Uncovering its transformative potential in higher education. The Internet and Higher Education, 7(2), 95-105.
Hodges, C., et al. (2020). The difference between emergency remote teaching and online learning. EDUCAUSE Review, 27, 1-12.
Kebritchi, M., et al. (2017). The challenges of implementing online learning in higher education. Educational Technology & Society, 20(2), 30-45.
Moore, M. G. (2014). The effective use of online learning and technologies in education. The Journal of Distance Education, 23(3), 31-43.