Teaching can be a highly rewarding and challenging profession for those who enjoy working with others, sharing new insights, and training the leaders of tomorrow. A license is usually mandatory for teaching jobs, and states have varied requirements. However, most states require public school teachers to:
- hold a bachelor's degree
- complete an approved teacher training course with the prescribed subjects
- do supervised practice teaching
Generally, private schools are exempt from meeting state licensing standards, but they too prefer candidates with a bachelor's degree or higher in childhood education or in the subject to be taught.
An aspiring teacher generally must apply for admission to a teacher education program in the sophomore year of a four-year college degree program. The courses usually include subjects specific to teaching and interacting with children, as well as courses in philosophy of education, psychology of learning, and teaching methods.
Good teachers should not only know their subjects thoroughly. They also must have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, be able to motivate students, inspire confidence in them, and be up able to meet their educational and emotional needs. Teaching salaries vary by classroom age, location, expertise, and training, but the median income for K-12 educators in public schools is around $45,000 a year. Because demand will likely increase in the coming years, current salary ranges should go up.
Our Featured Education Partners:
Capella University
Until now, committing to the pursuit of an advanced degree meant compromise-a leave of absence or sabbatical for a traditional education, spending summers away from family, or working in isolation on correspondence-style courses.
Not anymore. Capella University has advanced the field of education by combining the academic excellence of traditional universities with the freedom, interactivity and convenience of online learning.
At Capella, you'll be part of a diverse, collaborative community of education professionals-people who are inspired to learn and have much to contribute. You'll interact in every courseroom and enjoy frequent one-to-one contact with your instructor and peers.
Capella University's graduate certificates, Master of Science and doctoral programs in the School of Education feature specialization areas to meet the unique needs of institutional and corporate educators and trainers:
- PhD in Education / Instructional Design for Online Learning
- MS in Education / Curriculum and Instruction with Technology Focus
- MS in Education / Instructional Design for Online Learning
- MS in Education / Teaching Online
- Graduate Certificate / Instructional Design for Online Learning
- Graduate Certificate / Teaching Online
PhD programs require 1 week residencies per year, for three years. Capella University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
Learn more about these education degree programs in teaching online. 
Adelaide Institute of TAFE (Australia)
The Adelaide Institute of TAFE offers the following online graduate certificate in teaching online:
- Graduate Certificate in eLearning
The Graduate Certificate in eLearning is a one year part time course of study aimed at complementing participants' previous specialist education and training experience and to enhance knowledge and skills necessary to implement quality elearning educational programs.
The program is nationally accredited in Australia.
California State University, Hayward
The Division of Extended and Continuing Education at California State University, Hayward, offers two online programs in online teaching and learning. Both programs assist teachers, trainers, administrators, and instructional designers prepare for education in the classrooms of the future. The online programs are:
- Certificate in Online Teaching and Learning
- MS in Education with an Option in Online Teaching and Learning
California State University is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
Electronic Learning Institute
The Electronic Learning Institute offers the Online Faculty and Course Development Program, a combination of 6 week online courses which include the following topics:
- Using the Online Conferencing System
- Create a Course Syllabus and Learner Outcomes
- Create Course Materials
- Course Evaluation
- Course Management
Michigan Virtual University
Michigan Virtual University offers an Online Instructor Program which includes these Online Instructor Course seminars:
- Building a Learning Community
- Online Learning Models, Theories, and Strategies
- Instructional Design
- Course Development
- Making Connections
- Course Administration
The program is available in two formats: Online Instructor - Master Trainer eight-week course, offered quarterly; and the Online Instructor six-week course, offered monthly.
Net-Trainers
The Net-Trainers 160 hour course is delivered online and aims at the qualification of online trainers. Participants are provided with knowledge and skills to develop and deliver courses using Internet technologies. Net-Trainers offers the possibility of following a multi-cultural European path: participants can choose to follow modules with either a British, German or French tutor. Accredited by the National Open College Network, a UK provider of accreditation services for adult learning.
The Online Teaching Institute
UMass Lowell Continuing Studies & Corporate Education offers teaching courses through its Online Teaching Institute. Noncredit institute courses are open to any faculty or staff member from higher education institutions, or anyone interested in learning how to teach online. Course titles include:
- Introduction to Online Teaching Strategies
- Teaching Online with Intralearn
These online courses are led by members of the UMass Lowell CyberEd faculty development team who have trained over 300 faculty.
Royal Roads University (Canada)
Royal Roads University, Victoria, BC, Canada offers online graduate degrees and certificates in e-learning management for people working in education, communication, and business environments:
- Master of Arts in Distributed Learning
The MA in Distributed Learning prepares professionals to design, implement, evaluate, manage, and provide support to online learning and distance education systems in private and public sector organizations.
Online graduate certificates in distributed learning available include:
- DL Certificate in E-Learning Design Processes
- DL Certificate in the Business of E-Learning
- DL Certificate in Online Learning Facilitation
Royal Roads University is a member of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada, the Association of Commonwealth Universities, and the Business Council of British Columbia.
UBC - Technology-Based Distributed Learning
The University of British Columbia offers a Post-Graduate Certificate in Technology-Based Distributed Learning. Giving participants the opportunity to learn about, and experience, technology-based distributed learning by discussing issues and collaborating on-line with others from around the world, the program consists of the following five courses:
- Social Issues in Technology-Based Distributed Learning
- Planning and Managing
- Selecting and Using Technologies
- Developing, Designing and Delivering
- Research and Evaluation Issues
University of Colorado at Denver
The University of Colorado at Denver offers the following interactive, asynchronous online certification program in information and learning technologies:
- Designing and Implementing Web-based Learning Environments (WLE) Certification
This program is for K-12 teachers, higher education instructors, and corporate instructional developers -- anyone interested in learning how to develop Web-based learning environments. It is appropriate for people with differing levels of previous credentialing.
Accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
University of Hull
University of Hull, UK, offers the Masters Level Qualification in Online Learning and Teaching, a 20-credit Masters level course, delivered fully online and designed for education or training professionals, currently involved in or considering learning & teaching online. You will gain first hand experience of learning and teaching online through active involvement in the module materials, tasks, assignments and interaction with your tutor and peer learners. You will explore and critically examine: current perspectives in online learning and teaching; the processes involved for the tutor in developing and managing online learning and teaching; and the use of evaluation, feedback and assessment in online learning and teaching. This module may be counted towards postgraduate professional qualifications in online learning and teaching currently under development. 60 credit points will provide you with a Certificate in eLearning; 120 credit points a Diploma in eLearning and 180 credits a Masters in eLearning.
University of Wisconsin-Madison
University of Wisconsin-Madison offers a Distance Education Certificate Program which is a professional development curriculum designed to build knowledge, skills, and leadership in distance education and online teaching. Courses are available on a certificate, non-certificate, self-paced, or collaborative online basis and include:
- Learning at a Distance
- Instructional Systems Design
- Evaluation in Distance Education
- Introduction to Online Learning
- Group Processes for Online Learning
- Designing for Online Learning
UT Telecampus
The UT TeleCampus functions as the central support unit for distance education programs and online degrees from The University of Texas System's 15 institutions. The UT TeleCampus offers the following online programs in education:
- M.Ed. in Educational Technology
- M.Ed. in Education and Curriculum & Instruction
- English as a Second Language (ESL) Endorsement
- Reading Specialist Certification
- Master Reading Teacher Certification
- M.Ed or M.S. in Kinesiology
- Certification in Chess and Education Online
Online Teacher Training Courses
CourseBridge.com Instructor Training Courses
CourseBridge.com offers online instructor training courses. Available titles include:
- Adult Learners
- Curriculum Development
- Instructional Techniques
- Assessment and Evaluation Strategies
- Teaching Adults
Courses are not accredited but students will receive a certificate of completion.
How to Develop an Online Course
Stylusinc.com offers a free online tutorial on course development which provides a step-by-step guide to converting your paper course or seminar for online delivery. Topics covered include Analysis, Instructional Design, Interface Design, Development, Evaluation, Promotion and Maintenance.
Microsoft in Education
Visit Microsoft's Education resource for free online tutorials, resources and guides for using Microsoft applications in classroom and web teaching.
The NODE - Learning Technologies Network
The Node Learning Technologies Network is a not-for-profit organization which promotes effective uses of technologies in education and training. The Node's online resources, electronic forums, publications, workshops, research and consulting services support informed decision-making by individuals and organizations.
RiverWithin.com
RiverWithin offers 4-week, fully instructor-supported professional development classes for online teachers wanting the latest skills, information, and strategies to improve their online teaching. Courses are provided in Blackboard. Each course comes with a certificate of completion.
Sherpa Integrated Learning
Sherpa Integrated Learning offers the online 30 hour course 'Designing and Writing E-learning Content'. Accredited at Level 4 by the National Open College Network and is recognised in most EEC states.
Training and Online Learning Workshop
Developed by The University of Northern Iowa, the Training and Learning Online workshop is designed for community college instructors, staff development trainers, and curriculum coordinators, and offers online workshops in the following areas:
- Elementary Classrooms and the WWW
- Middle School Classrooms and the WWW
- Teaching Social Studies with Technology
- Web Design for Classroom Teachers
- Teaching Global Perspectives with the Internet
- Staff Development for Technology Integration
These programs are offered for credit and the courses are available entirely online, 24/7 so you can work at your own pace.
Online Course Development Resources
Blackboard.com
Blackboard.com is a FREE service that enables you to add an online component to your classes, or even host an entire course on the Web. Without knowing any HTML, you can quickly create your own CourseSite™ - a Web site that brings your learning materials, class discussions, and even tests online. CourseSite™ will guide you through five simple steps for creating a virtual class - with no programming languages or HTML to learn. More than 10,000 instructors at K-12 schools, colleges, universities, and organizations around the world rely on Blackboard.com to deliver their courses online.
Click2Learn's Course Authoring
Click2Learn.com's Authoring and Publishing tools allow you to create a course using their browser-based authoring tool with no knowledge of HTML required. Course development is accomplished entirely online (no software to install) and is free to use. The Authoring and Publishing tools will guide you step-by-step through the publishing process: the definition of e-content, publishing and/or creating of e-content, FAQ, system requirements, samples of e-content and Authoring 101. You also have the option of offering your course for free or setting a price to earn revenue every time someone chooses to take your course.
JonesKnowledge e-Education
JonesKnowledge e-Education software allows you to set up an online education program, whether you're planning to offer a single course, a training certificate or a complete degree program.
LearningSpace
LearningSpace 4.0 is a complete learning management and delivery system that lets you seamlessly integrate your course content, whether you create it yourself or purchase it from leading providers. You can mix and match delivery methods in a single course including self-directed, asynchronous collaboration, or realtime collaboration. You can assess and track results, and LearningSpace 4.0 offers a robust set of learning management capabilities that make it easy to manage even the most extensive learning programs.
WebCT
WebCT offers downloadable software for online course development.
Personal Development
