#CollaborationOverCompetition

Jade Weatherington

Developing Original Content

So, you have an amazing idea for a class. But, you’re not quite sure how to set the course up.

If you’re not familiar with course development, creating lesson plans, or classroom planning this may seem like a really difficult task. It’s not. Well, there will be some challenges as there are with developing anything. As you continue to develop and make courses it becomes easier.

Here are some tips on how to develop and structure a class:

Determine how you want to deliver the content

And how you will interact with the people taking the class

I speak with a lot of new teachers looking for classes they can replicate or trying to purchase curriculum to teach online. One of the reasons not to do this is copyright laws. Virtual educators cannot teach material that is under copyright.
In the virtual world, teachers need to deliver original and unique content. This will also help teachers stick out from all the other teachers that are available.

Of course, teachers can check out other courses to see if there have similar ideas, but it isn’t necessary. Don’t focus on what other people are offering.

I sell my curriculum and don’t care who teaches it. Even if they took my classes, nobody can teach my class quite like me and someone who teaches my class differently may connect with a learner in a way that I can’t. It doesn’t bother me. Now, if someone took my curriculum and resold it as if it were theirs, I’d be upset. I’d you’re using someone else’s work, give credit, and get permission.

More Ways to Develop Courses

When you create your own content, you know exactly how you want to present it. You have space to revise the course as needed.
I always suggest doing trial runs. Ask people in your network to take your class and provide you with feedback. This will allow you to make the needed changes.

You also want to assess your students. Did they learn what was expected of them? Did you teach what you expected to? Ask yourself what went well and what you could change.

If you’re not a fan of creating your own content you can purchase content or outsource and hire someone to make the content for yoU. If you hire someone to create content for you, make sure you’re able to work very closely with them so the end result is how you envisioned it.

Coming from a traditional public school teacher background, teachers often shared resources and they develop courses together. The virtual classroom, as a market place (not like distance-learning which were seeing schools doing now), runs like a business. You may find people that are willing to share their content for free. However, you also run into people who are not.

Competition Over Collaboration

While teaching online is a marketplace, this does not eliminate collaboration. I have a class that teaches essay writing. The focus in on content but I noticed there was a huge need to cover grammar basics. I don’t enjoy teaching grammar. I reached out to another teacher that provides grammar courses. She was more than willing to make a supplementary course that aligned with my class.

With the increase in teaching pods, virtual educators can collaborate with other teachers to create an all-encompassing class focused on core academics and extracurriculars.

Collaboration can still happen in this industry. It helps to expand your network and you may generate new ideas for courses you can create.

Have you ever collaborated with another teacher?

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