10 Ways To Teach Online Like A Superhero

10 Ways To Teach Online Like A Superhero
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Summary: Online teachers change the world every day. We're already superheroes! But most online teachers are far too busy to notice their own super achievements. Let's fix that now. Here are 10 superhero approaches we can apply directly to online teaching.

How To Teach Online Like A Superhero

I believe online teachers are real life superheroes. Of course we are. We impart new skills and knowledge. We change lives by offering our students a different future. In fact, online teachers make the world a better place every day. And we don’t even need a cape or a sleek, shiny futuristic car to do it!

But most online teachers are far too busy to notice their own super achievements. That would never happen to fictional superheroes. They’re living out loud, and putting their superpowers into action all the time.

So maybe online teachers can learn a little from our fictional superhero brothers and sisters. What can they teach us about really owning our own superpowers, and using them for the good of our students (and our own careers)? Here are 10 superhero approaches we can apply directly to online teaching.

1. Identify Your Special Skill

There’s one thing you do better than anyone else. What is it?

Are you super good at explaining complex concepts? Are you expert in helping new online students find their feet? Once you’ve identified your online teaching superpower, you can use it for the good of your students.

2. Master Your Online Teaching Superpower

It takes practice to be able to fly like Superman. Does your special skill need further refining?

A relevant professional development workshop or crash course might help make sure you’re at the absolute top of your game.

3. Use The Right Specialist Tools

Those professional superheroes have tools and props a-plenty. For Wonder Woman, it’s a golden lasso. Batman roars around town in the Batmobile.

Online teachers have Learning Management Systems, multi-media course materials, and social media. These are just a few of the tools we can personalize and adapt to amplify our ability to positively impact the lives of our students.

4. Be Visible

Superman is easy to recognize because of his spandex outfit and red cape. And if you hear a woman in a black bodysuit and pointy ears say “Meow”, chances are you’ve just seen Catwoman. You can be just as memorable (spandex and pointy ears are optional).

Give your students some visual references so that they see you as a lot more than a faceless teacher. Adding a photo to your email account and staff profile helps to make you more visible and real.

 5. Don’t Work 24/7

Even Batman has a social life. You can’t change the worlds of your students if you’re too burned out from working all the time.

Make sure your turnaround times for grading student work are realistic – and well known. Then there’s no need to diminish your powers by pushing through another weekend of work.

6. Believe You Can Make A Difference

In the fictional universe, all superheroes know they make a difference. It’s what they do. And here’s a newsflash: it’s what you do, too.

This is why online teaching is such an important job. Never forget it. Especially on Monday morning and Friday afternoon.

7. Gather Some Allies

Ever noticed that superheroes don’t try to save the world on their own? They always have someone working behind the scenes or in discreet collaboration to make sure their plans come to fruition.

Online teachers need a supportive network, too. It’s much easier to make a positive difference when you have a little help. Reach out to colleagues you trust, and establish a support system for each other.

8. Control Your Image

Have you googled yourself lately? I bet your students have.

Is your online presence reflecting your true superhero nature? You may need to tweak how you appear online – from website mentions to social media profiles.

9. Produce Stunning Results

Superheroes are about more than witty catchphrases and skin-tight lycra. They actually achieve incredible results. Online teachers need to do the same.

For example:

  • Do you have a written list of goals for this semester?
  • Have you reviewed your last lot of teaching evaluations and made a plan for improvement?
  • Have you scheduled time to re-write that essay question that’s causing all the confusion?

There are plenty of concrete action steps you can take to make sure you’re getting optimum results for your online teaching efforts.

10. Get The Rewards You Deserve

In the movies, the adventures of superheroes regularly headline the nightly news. Their daring adventures are newsworthy, to say the least. They always lead to public acknowledgement.

This can also happen in online teaching. Why toil away in the dark, getting no recognition for your world-changing work? There are ways to ensure you get the online teaching rewards you deserve.

Online teachers make just as much of a difference to the world as superheroes do. We change lives every single day. Our work is as impressive as leaping tall buildings in a single bound.

And a lot less dangerous!