Sanantone, what is it like being an online instructor?

[soliloquy]

Today I learned that with my B.S. in Paralegal Studies I can be an adjunct instructor at quite a few school here around where I live. From what I can see, there are quite a few position available. I've taught CLE courses, have legal publications in reputable magazines in our field, and I have been a mentor of paralegal students for several years. I seem to meet all of the requirements to apply for one of these jobs to make some extra money on the side. But, I wanted to know the perks and drawbacks of such a position. I didn't know if you work was on a contractual basis or if you were an employee. Can you give me a bit of insight on what you do?

[sanantone]

I teach on ground, but most of our students submit assignments and go through lessons in an online course management system like Blackboard and Moodle. Unless you get a job at a community college, you'll more thank likely end up at a for-profit college. I work at a nationally-accredited, for-profit college. I've detailed my experiences a little bit here, but I went into more detail at the sister forum. Several people have sent me private messages trying to guess which school I teach at based on their own experiences and the experiences of people they know. Apparently, schools like ITT Tech, Everest, Sanford Brown, and Brown Mackie College are a lot alike.

The job is not hard, but it's still a headache due to the administration nitpicking over every little thing and the students being lazy, perpetual whiners. Recently, I just found out one of my coworkers lied to me. She must have felt so bad about being chewed out over student complaints that she told me I was also receiving complaints. I verified with the counselors and my director; I still have zero complaints. I still have to wait until next year school year to see if I'll get an instructional assistantship in my PhD program because I applied after the deadline for consideration last year (I discovered the program at the last minute). Until then, I have to either suffer at this adult daycare or try to land a job at a real institution of higher education.

[sanantone]

I forgot to answer the other part. Even though I work part-time, I'm considered to be a full-time employee. I receive healthcare benefits, but no kind of retirement plan. I'm paid by the hour. There is an instructor in my program who only has a bachelor's degree. They combine your relevant work experience with your degree to see if you qualify to teach a subject. The lower the degree, the more experience you need to have.

At first, I felt bad for my students because I felt like the school was ripping them off. Now, I feel like they deserve each other. I could deal with the 3rd grade reading levels and not knowing the seasons of the year if my students were decent human beings, but most of them aren't.
The school I teach at has the worst college students EVER

[soliloquy]

I don't know...your description of your teaching experiences doesn't seem very credible. You make teaching these elite intellectuals seem way too glamorous. I'm having a hard time believing the job is that easy and rewarding. LOL

[sanantone]

I don't know...your description of your teaching experiences doesn't seem very credible. You make teaching these elite intellectuals seem way too glamorous. I'm having a hard time believing the job is that easy and rewarding. LOL

The most glamorous part was when a couple of my students threw a temper tantrum earlier this week over not being able to play on their smartphones during class. Currently, I only have one student under 21 and he's pretty easy going even though he misses school a lot and turns in his work late. The other students are 21-32 years old.

[soliloquy]

The most glamorous part was when a couple of my students threw a temper tantrum earlier this week over not being able to play on their smartphones during class. Currently, I only have one student under 21 and he's pretty easy going even though he misses school a lot and turns in his work late. The other students are 21-32 years old.

I read those posts and I can't figure out why that school isn't regionally accredited. LOL!

[Getiton1]

Seriously these students need a kick in the ---. If I ever acted that way as a child my parents would whoop my butt. To think that your students are adults and act like this is really making me worried for the future.

My idea was to go into education, but I am seriously discouraged after reading your take on a career in teaching.

I can't wait to read follow up on this topic.

Thanks for sharing,
Tara

I forgot to answer the other part. Even though I work part-time, I'm considered to be a full-time employee. I receive healthcare benefits, but no kind of retirement plan. I'm paid by the hour. There is an instructor in my program who only has a bachelor's degree. They combine your relevant work experience with your degree to see if you qualify to teach a subject. The lower the degree, the more experience you need to have.

At first, I felt bad for my students because I felt like the school was ripping them off. Now, I feel like they deserve each other. I could deal with the 3rd grade reading levels and not knowing the seasons of the year if my students were decent human beings, but most of them aren't.
The school I teach at has the worst college students EVER

[sanantone]

Don't be discouraged. I just teach at an exceptional college. I really don't think most college students are like this. These are the types of students for-profit colleges with salespeople attract.