A long-standing custom that has remained essentially constant over time is a traditional college education. Being a teacher in this environment has necessitated adherence to teaching norms that have remained the same. A college professor is a subject-matter expert who serves as both an educator and a researcher. They are typically appointed to positions with tenure. They should receive credit for writing in peer-reviewed scholarly journal articles that have advanced their field of study. While this kind of education and instructor are still in use, another academic institution—an online college or university—has been created.
For a modern online educational paradigm, you probably won’t find any positions with the title “professor.” Most online colleges and universities use adjunct faculty, and many refer to academics as facilitators. While some universities mandate that their professors complete annual professional development requirements, it is uncommon for authors to publish papers in peer-reviewed publications. More than ever, we need a new kind of educator who can meet the needs of the students who participate in this modern style of education.
Education, both offline and online.
The typical method of instruction for students is the lecture-driven class. The instructor instructs the students, and repeated exams demand that they demonstrate what they have learned. They are conscious that their teacher or professor is an expert on the subject area covered in their class. This teacher-centered instructional approach is comparable to what is used in primary schools. As a result of the new options that technology has brought to the field of education, online courses and online degrees are new formats that have evolved. Initially, conventional educators taught these courses, but this changed over time, mainly as adjuncts occupied most teaching roles. As online degree programs and online institutions became well-established in the world of education, a new type of educator was also starting to emerge.
The Evolution of Contemporary Education
The growth of online education made the appointment of other academics necessary. While some online universities begin their sessions each week, others do so each month. The answer was to hire adjuncts, and most of the jobs instructing undergraduates have been filled by academics with a master’s degree in the subject they were teaching. Many adjunct roles now need a Ph.D. since an increasing number of teachers are qualified to teach online. The varying enrollment numbers, the scarcity of full-time online teaching opportunities, and the development in degree specializations, especially those relating to online teaching, have all contributed to the bigger pool of accessible online instructors. Students who acquire their master’s degrees are also added to the collection, and many online universities offer specializations in online teaching. Nearly two million adjunct online instructors are currently teaching online courses.
A requirement for online teaching may include ongoing education. Most online universities have some yearly professional development requirements. To meet this need, these colleges frequently offer workshops and training sessions. Publishing scholarly journals can assist in fulfilling professional development requirements, even though most universities do not require it. These contemporary instructors can behave in a way that sets them apart from college professors in the classroom. Online teachers are commonly referred to as facilitators rather than professors, even though some instructors will use the title “professor” to emphasize their position in the learning process. Many online universities urge instructors to use their first name, even if they have a doctorate, to come across as friendly and laid-back.
An Introduction to a Modern Educator
In online education, there are various sorts of instructors, and these distinctions are rather obvious. While some individuals with doctoral degrees are qualified to tutor undergraduate and graduate students, others with master’s degrees can only instruct undergraduate students. Professors at doctoral-granting schools may nevertheless be required to publish in a manner resembling that of a college professor. But a new benchmark is necessary. If traditional teaching methods are appropriate, online educators should be able to fulfill the same standards as conventional instructors. The time has arrived for the Modern Educator, a brand-new instructional title.
My career as an educator has evolved from traditional college teaching to online learning, and I am now a Modern Educator. Instead of having my work be available to individuals who read scholarly publications and have access to them, I now have the opportunity to reach a wider audience. As soon as I write something, it can be found, and more importantly, I’m good at leveraging social media. I have connections to academic institutions, universities, and students worldwide because of the use of social media.
Sharing of articles, blogs, and other intellectual contributions, as well as ideas and resources, are all made possible by social media. This is accurate for adjustments made to the publication procedure as well. Instead of waiting to find a publisher and following the traditional publishing route, I self-published e-books. It has also changed the definition of being a college instructor and given me a chance to become more involved in education. According to Becoming a Modern Educator, online educators should actively participate in developing online schools as part of their professional development.
What It Takes to Be a Modern Teacher
No matter your level of education (master’s or Ph.D.), you must continue your professional development if you want to teach online courses. However, this should be an intellectual component in addition to just attending a session. A modern educator’s job also requires them to participate in social or professional networking. Here are some things you can do and strategies you may use to become a modern educator.
#1. As a means to share your knowledge and demonstrate your abilities, start a blog. You can use the information you acquire when you conduct additional research for your professional interests in your blog postings. Several free tools, such as Word Press, can be used to create and post your blog.
#2. Instead of taking the time to compose and submit papers to literary magazines, which is always an option for you, choose a resource that enables you to publish articles online. By publishing articles based on your knowledge and experience, you may develop your writing skills, establish yourself as a subject matter expert, and reach a larger audience. I use the Ezine Articles content marketing database.
#3. Use social media – Every online educator must know how to establish a digital presence. You will be familiar with internet forums if you work in a high-technology environment. LinkedIn provides opportunities for professional networking, finding organizations that share your interests, and even finding online jobs. You can share materials by interacting with a global network of instructors, students, and universities via Twitter.
#4. Develop a Website – If you are particularly ambitious and want to build more than a blog, you might also choose to create your website. This would be a place to store the resources you’ve made, which you could give to instructors and students. Webhosting services are available for both no cost and a small fee.
#5. Write E-Books: By making their books available as e-books, authors are regaining control over the publishing sector. You’ll probably need to open an account and hire someone to format and distribute the e-book. It won’t take long to release the book once that’s done.
Maintaining Your Position as a Modern Teacher
An educator in the modern day does more than only offer online courses. They are active in their specialist field and the educational community. They are adept at teaching with technology and engage with a virtual community of other educators through social media. The modern educator researches and adds to the body of knowledge using technological instruments. Their published work is created using cutting-edge technology and made readily available to their intended audience. They are skilled at promoting their work and sharing information on social media with other instructors and students.