Instructor FAQs

What is Learning Design Group, LLC?

Learning Design Group, LLC is a brokerage for online courses in the areas of professional development, personal enrichment, academic success and eco-friendly classes. I connect people with a desire to learn with people having a desire to teach. My company hopes to continue expanding course offerings on a monthly basis through concerted marketing efforts.

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What degrees or credentials do I need to teach online?

Here are the qualifications I believe make the best instructors out there!!!

Professional Development and Academic Success Courses

  • A Masters or Doctoral degree in an applicable area of study granted from a regionally accredited institution and a minimum of two years experience directly applicable to the area/subject to be taught
  • Proficiency in writing and communication
  • Comfort level with computers and reasonable computer skills including but not limited to email and word processing with abilities in chat, discussions, audio and/or video a plus
  • Three or more years work experience in the area of teaching interest

Personal Enrichment Courses

  • An expertise in a specific art, craft, hobby or other creative skill
  • Other documented credentials or certifications in the area of teaching interest

Eco-Friendly Classes

  • Knowledge and experience working in the environment field with in-depth knowledge or training in eco-friendly topics
  • LEED training or training in alternative energy sources
  • Knowledge of sustainability

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What computer and technical skills do I need to teach online with Learning Design Group, LLC?

Extensive technical skills are not required to teach online but having familiarity with software and tools is helpful. Additionally, skills in Internet browsing, searching, word processing, cut and paste, email, and switching between windows and applications are necessary. As long as you can obtain internet connectivity to reach the www.learningdesignonline.com website, any computer should work.

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How is teaching online different from teaching in a traditional classroom setting?

Learning Design Group, LLC emphasizes instructor-led, highly interactive online learning communities. A traditional classroom includes face-to-face time with students and inclusion of work, life, and educational experiences into courses. I recognize that our students are often working professionals that seek to learn in their spare time. An online course also builds sharing of knowledge and experience but the barriers of location are removed. Instructors help facilitate learning through interactive activities such as discussions, assignments, or various assessments. Many activities that you use in a traditional classroom can be transformed easily into online formats.

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How long does it take to build a course online?

Time to develop a course will vary from instructor to instructor based on experience teaching online. Those instructors that are familiar with other Learning Management Systems such as WebCT or Blackboard will have more skills upfront to navigate around our course site. We have designed the Learning Design Online Instructor Demo Course for all new instructors to read and learn from and by completing the Topics and associated exercises, will have the knowledge to start developing their course. The other factor is how much material you have already developed for your course. If you already have readings, assignments, lectures, activities, etc. it will be a matter of uploading files to get started and customizing the look of your course. Many instructors will assign particular books for their courses as well so thinking about additional materials students might need is a good idea.

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How much time does it take to prepare for and teach an online course?

If you have never taught online before, you'll need a few months to prepare. Our Learning Design Online Instructor Demo Course will help you be successful as an online instructor. You should budget an average of two to three hours a week to the training process for design and development. Once you start teaching your course, you should log on a minimum of four times per week to participate in your classroom discussions and interact with your students. We estimate that you will spend five to twelve hours per week teaching your online course, depending on the assignments and topics for a particular week. If you cannot budget this minimum amount of time to prepare for and teach your online course, please do not consider teaching at this time. Even though the course exists in a virtual environment, the time commitment to be a successful online instructor is quite real. Your students will appreciate the time you give to them!

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How many students will be taking my course?

Depending on how you format your course – open enrollment or specific start and end dates, you may also choose to cap the number of students you want to teach. An open enrollment course may have unlimited numbers of students. As the instructor, you have the decision to set those enrollment limits.

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Who retains the rights to my course?

Learning Design Group, LLC does not claim any intellectual property rights or copyright ownership for courses offered by their instructors. You own your content!

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How will I communicate with my students?

Teaching online means connecting with students! Most instructors find that online courses actually provide a high degree of personal contact, and many say that they get to know their online students much better than students in face-to-face courses. Asynchronous online courses offer many more opportunities for reflection, in-depth discussion, and interaction than a traditional course that meets once or twice a week. You will have tools such as chats, email and discussion areas to interact both on an individual basis and in groups. An online format facilitates and enhances online communication in new ways for students and instructors.

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What will I learn in the Learning Design Online Instructor Demo Course?

By working your way through the Learning Design Online Instructor Demo Course, you will learn about the many tools available for you as an instructor and build your course. The Sample Course is set up in a series of Topics with some adjoining exercises to practice the tools. The best way to use the tools is to build your course. The more time you spend using the course tools, the more comfortable you will be with students. Then you can focus on teaching. Learning Design Group, LLC will also assist you in specifics of your course development. You are the Subject Matter Expert (SME) and we provide the technology for you to get your course fully online to teach!

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What assistance is available if I encounter problems?

Learning Design Group, LLC has a team available to assist if you encounter problems. Contact us through email and we will assist as soon as possible.

Students feel more confident with instructors who are confident so please don’t hesitate to contact us if you need assistance.

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Will I have opportunities to connect with other online instructors?

The LDG Faculty Lounge is available for every instructor to network and exchange ideas with fellow online instructors. This is a great place to share teaching tips, discuss successes, or chat about any other online experience. Please feel free to visit regularly and meet some of the other great instructors out there.

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What makes an effective online instructor?

Experience has shown us that the most successful online course experiences for students and instructors depend on the expertise and dedication of a well-prepared online instructor. When an online instructor is fully equipped with proper technical skills, familiarity with the online learning environment, and most importantly, a true awareness of effective online pedagogies and teaching strategies, the online learning experience that he or she creates has the highest potential to succeed.

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What are the benefits of teaching online?

Support – All of our instructors focus on what they do best – teach. We help with the technical support, passwords, payments, etc. Our online tutorial provides guidance for instructors new to teaching online and any additional support needed to get your course off the ground is provided for you. You let us know what you need. Our goal for you is to have a good experience teaching and for our students to have a successful experience learning online.

Flexibility – Our instructors are able to determine how they want to format their courses. You may decide to run a course in a specific time period or a course with open, ongoing enrollment. Once our team approves of your qualifications and course content, you teach!

Marketing – We do the marketing of your courses. Through effective online marketing, you will gain valuable exposure to your course. Satisfied students will come back again and often refer others. Instructors are encouraged to be active participants in marketing in areas where they reside or have contacts.

Compensation – Each of our instructors earns 70% of the enrollment fee (minus transaction fees) per course. The more students enrolled, the higher your compensation.

Ownership – You maintain ownership of your course content. We see each of our instructors as the Subject Matter Experts. Your content remains with you if you decide not to teach for Learning Design Group, LLC.

Fun – Last, but not least, is the fun element. You are teaching a subject you know well and enjoy teaching. What a great way to interact with motivated students, share your knowledge and expertise, and make some extra money. We enjoy linking instructors and learners!

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How do I apply to teach online?

When you are ready, click on the Online Instructor Application form to start the application process. I will carefully review your qualifications and content then notify you of your eligibility to teach for Learning Design Group, LLC.

Thanks for your interest!

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What compensation might I make as an online instructor?

All instructors will receive payment checks once per month to be mailed at the end of each month. You will be paid 70% of the course fees collected minus any transaction fees. The more students enrolled, the greater your level of pay. Any instructor making $600 or more in a calendar year (January to December) will receive a 1099-MISC for tax purposes. Learning Design Group, LLC will be maintaining an active database of instructor accounts for this purpose.

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How does my course get marketed?

Learning Design Group, LLC does all the marketing for you. Our marketing site www.learningdesigngroup.net will reach customers globally. Each instructor may also market their own courses to increase enrollment.