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Every once in a while, we have to tackle something outside of our comfort zone. Whether that something is running a marathon or teaching an online course after years of in-person instruction, everyone goes through moments of discomfort.

Katherine Dowdell, an instructor with over 20-years of in-person classroom experience, was thrown into an uncomfortable situation. Asked to teach an online-course at Des Moines Area Community College, Katherine was at first unsure if her students were “getting it,” or how she was coming across. After plenty of trial and error, and now with seven years of online teaching under her belt, Katherine is an expert. She even coaches colleagues on how to succeed in an online classroom!  (Especially important since 58% of faculty said that the growth of online education made them more fearful than excited!)

We took a hard look at the struggles of the online educator, speaking with multiple subject matter experts in the field. Based off of those conversations, we’ve put together a comprehensive tool – a field guide for getting started as an online educator.

Contained within the analysis is a rundown of the top 5 ways to get started as an online educator. (Hint:  #1 Way is to Be an Unabashed Borrower – with permission, of course). Follow our tips, and you’ll be an online teaching expert in no time!