Potential Benefits to Online Teacher Education Masters Programs
Aside from convenience and flexibility, remember that ‘online’ is a format.
It doesn’t mean your degree is easier to achieve, or less valid. It does mean that you may self-pace yourself, keep a current list of on-going duties and yet, advance your education. This in itself might bring new potential career paths and choices, refreshed salary expectations and the like.
Online doesn’t mean you are alone. Often times, there are online group discussion boards that you have to contribute to. Online learners stay connected via emails, web chat, video calls, texting and possibly the good old-fashioned telephone. Even libraries are online. You do need to have a computer setup, reliable Internet access, and last but not least, be able to motivate yourself. If you don’t log in, you don’t learn.
What Types of Online Masters Degrees in Teaching are there?
As you search on GradSchools.com, you will notice that Online Teacher Education Masters Degrees are available as:
- Online Master of Arts in Teaching – such as M.A.T. –Secondary Social Sciences
- Online Master of Science Degree Programs such as Master of Natural Sciences Education or MS In Education –Mathematics (Grades k-6)
- Online Master of Education such as M.Ed. program Specialist-Reading
Generally, the Master of Arts in Teaching degree is geared towards the student seeking licensure and the M.Ed. and M.S. tend to be for experienced professionals
Online Teacher Education Masters Programs: Choose a Concentration!
As you see from our directory, there are a variety of concentration areas to choose from. Aside from the subject though, you may need to consider specifying the grade level(s) that you wish to teach. Online teacher education masters programs offer programs to help prospective and current teachers focus on educating students in early childhood institutions, elementary schools, middle schools, or high schools.
In terms of the subject area, do you aspire to teach English as a second language, reading to grade school children? Or do you want to teach music, art or science? You might not explore these subjects in great depth in your program, but, depending on the program, you may learn how to teach these subjects in the classroom in ways that incorporate recent theory, new educational technology, or methods that have been proven to increase attention span with autistic students.
As you plan your graduate work, think carefully about your career and educational goals and plan your educational path accordingly. It is important to consider where you want to live and work and whether or not the subject area you wish to teach is in demand in that location. It’s also important to know whether or not your concentration requires you to complete a practicum, and whether or not you are in a position to do so. Thinking critically about your options upfront might help prepare you for a successful educational experience and to genuinely enhance your career.
Take the Next Step
Whether taking professional development classes is part of maintaining your license, or you are seeking versatility in your methods, take the next step. Explore online masters programs in teacher education to find the one that aligns with your goals.
Resources: http://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/home.htm | teach.org/ |
