Tag: virtual ta

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What Makes a Good Virtual TA/Academic Coach?

Post author By Instructional Connections
Post date July 21, 2022
No Comments on What Makes a Good Virtual TA/Academic Coach?

According to data from UNESCO, more than 1.2 billion students globally had stopped having face-to-face classes by mid-May 2020. When the majority of students worldwide switched from face-to-face to remote schooling, the faculty’s workload increased. Syllabi had to be replanned because the learning methods were changing to meet online realities and needs.

But virtual teaching has been around for quite some time and requires a special skill set. This article will discuss what makes a good Academic Coach.

Characteristics of a Good Academic Coach

Whether you’re an online or offline teaching assistant, the role requires you to possess certain skills and characteristics.

Be Compassionate

Compassion is crucial feedback that affects the overall learning progress of a student. Therefore, it’s an important skill for an Academic Coach to have. Understanding the students’ struggles and the faculty’s needs is essential for successful collaboration.

Be Flexible

Academic Coaches must be able to adjust to changes. Sometimes during online requirements, students will face various challenges beyond their control, like technical issues or additional questions. Academic Coaches must adapt to the student’s and faculty’s needs efficiently. That’s why flexibility is the second most important skill for Academic Coaches.

Be Highly Organized

Academic Coaches are there for support during online courses. The successful collaboration between the faculty and the Academic Coach depends on good organization, effective time management, and planning. Therefore, the third imperative for this role is proper time management and overall organization.

Be Able to Communicate Efficiently

Academic Coaches are the bridge between students and professors. Keeping a steady and efficient communication flow is vital for achieving the best results. It’s also essential to actively listen and connect with the students and faculty members.

Best Tips for an Effective Virtual Teaching Assistant

We’ve gone over some skills that make an excellent Academic Coach. Now let’s go over the best ways to master the role!

Know Your Field

All Academic Coaches must have a good level of subject knowledge. Academic Coaches aren’t only there to provide instructional support to students but to help them with any issues that may follow. Also, as Academic Coaches aren’t only communicating with students and professors, it’s crucial to learn more about professors’ teaching ideologies, habits, and the communication methods they use.

Have Patience

Some people have it naturally, while others have to work on it – either way, it’s paramount. The role of the Academic Coach makes even the calmest person work on their patience. You must anticipate various difficulties, problems, and last-minute changes. But, in all cases, you must respond professionally.

Learn More with Instructional Connections

Our team at Instructional Connections is dedicated to improving online teaching by assisting faculty and universities. Our services help educational institutions face the challenges and demands of online degrees and courses. We are known for our high-quality instructional support services for both colleges and universities.

If you are interested in becoming an Academic Coach with Instructional Connections, please apply HERE.

If your institution is interested to learn more about implementing our Academic Coaches for the online course offerings at your university or college, please contact us.

Tags academic coach, online academic coach, virtual ta

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Ensuring Effective Communication & Collaboration with Virtual TAs

Post author By Instructional Connections
Post date April 21, 2022
No Comments on Ensuring Effective Communication & Collaboration with Virtual TAs

In 2021, 75% of schools were planning to operate online. Beyond schools, however, even corporate learning is being held in virtual classrooms, with a 98% adoption among businesses. Both educators and corporate entities have begun preparations for virtual learning, from purchasing equipment to training teachers for distance learning.

“Instructional Connections is an integrated service provider of high-quality instructional support services to colleges and universities that offer online courses and degree programs. So we can continue providing this high standard of service, communication and collaboration remain at the heart of all our processes.”

Communication and collaboration between Academic Coaches (also known as Virtual TAs) between the university’s faculty and our Academic Coaches are crucial to maintaining a high quality of performance. It is also important in ensuring the clarity of discussions. Our Academic Coaches are tasked by the university’s faculty of record for the online course with helping students make connections through learning, which makes communication a central pillar of our services and our process. This communication and collaboration are things our Academic Coaches must establish.

Many Methods Can Strengthen Collaboration Between Academic Coaches, Faculty, & Students – such as:

Minimizing Silos or Isolation

Virtual teaching creates a bridge that connects individuals despite their physical distance from each other. Therefore, Academic Coaches (also known as Virtual Teaching Assistants or Instructional Associates) and the faculty of record should make every effort to minimize developing silos or a student becoming isolated.

For example, utilizing learning methods that require communication and conversation among students helps them forge connections with each another. Collaborative efforts between Academic Coaches and the faculty can also improve how the whole unit works as a team. These prevent them from working in isolation or only with one or two individuals. Additionally, they can reach out to their faculty and their Academic Coaches, strengthening communication between all members regardless of their department or assignment.

Open Lines of Communication

Our Student Support guidelines state that Academic Coaches should answer inquiries and emails within 24 hours. Even if the Academic Coach does not know the answer, they need to confirm receipt or respond that the matter will be researched, indicating that the student is being acknowledged and the matter will be addressed accordingly.

Receiving Feedback

Being open and receptive to feedback from faculty and supervisors gives everyone room to grow and enhance their performance. Feedback can be positive and critical, and both help Academic Coaches foster a culture of transparency and communication. It may touch upon areas that need improvement, and thus the Academic Coach can improve their approach to support the student on behalf of the faculty.

With the students, there is a two-way method: grading and feedback, or answering student questions, is a helpful way to communicate with students about their work. For example, the Academic Coach can add details about areas that need focus and areas they did well in (in accordance with the faculty’s assignment rubrics and directions).

Communication Creates Connections

Academic Coaches have the crucial task of aiding faculty to bring students further during their learning experience. Therefore, they have to maintain communication to be aware of every step of the progress. This makes them better prepared and better adapted to each student’s needs.

Instructional Connections brings Academic Coaches and faculty together to develop and maintain a learning experience that heightens every student’s academic background, leading them towards success.

Contact us today to find out more about our Academic Coaching Model or learn more about our services.

Tags online learning, virtual ta

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How to Maximize Your Virtual TAs for Distance Learning

Post author By Instructional Connections
Post date December 30, 2021
No Comments on How to Maximize Your Virtual TAs for Distance Learning

Just like everything else, teaching has been seriously affected over the past couple of years. Classes were mostly done online, and we’re just starting to go back to the traditional setting—but on a limited scale. Learning institutions are left with a new set of challenges to conquer.

One of the ways you can manage your online classroom better is by involving a virtual Teaching Assistant (TA). Doing so will lessen the stress of your teaching duties. Here are some tips on how you can make the most of a virtual TA for distance learning.

Class Preparation

Before the semester or quarter starts, get on the same page with your TA. Take the time to sit down virtually and discuss everything you need to discuss. This may include the following:

Setting goals
Delegating responsibilities
Establishing your working relationship
Discussing and learning digital tools and platforms that will be used
Setting class standards, deadlines, and rules

It would also be wise to meet now and then throughout the semester, as well as debrief after the course ends. During these sessions, share feedback in both directions and review the goals you set at the beginning.

Class Management

Handling a class pre-pandemic was already difficult, but it can become even more complicated when everything is online. Some professors, understandably, had a hard time learning video calling platforms, like Zoom and Google Meet, and many still do not fully understand how to utilize the features to their highest levels.

This is just one area in which a virtual teaching assistant can be very helpful. They can help with moderating classes by handling things like:

Discussion threads
Online grading and submission questions
Replying to emails or in-platform messages, regardless of which platform your University uses

Communicating with Students

Focus on lesson planning and other teaching duties by having your virtual TA in charge of announcements, email communication, and discussion thread moderation. Making sure your students are up to date may seem like a small detail, but leaving the responsibility to your virtual TA will make things significantly easier for you and smoother for everyone in the class.

Instead of sending individual emails and messages yourself, have your virtual TA do a group chat or a message board, as well as take over individual questions and email submissions.

Class Discussions

Often, there are times when the class discussion board is stagnant. Keep discussion boards active and engaging by adding your virtual TA’s trained voice into the discourse. They can add value to the conversation by:

Asking questions to expand on the lesson
Sharing opinions, resources, and anecdotes
Challenging opinions
Encouraging civil discourse

At the same time, teaching assistants can evaluate and grade student work, which will be helpful if you have a large class or require a quick turnaround time. Find your professional and reliable virtual TA with the help of Instructional Connections.

We assign teaching assistants based on your instructional needs so they can support you correctly throughout the semester in exactly the way you require.

Tags academic coach, distance learning, virtual ta

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How to Become a Virtual Teaching Assistant with Instructional Connections

Post author By Instructional Connections
Post date March 25, 2021
No Comments on How to Become a Virtual Teaching Assistant with Instructional Connections

A Virtual Teaching Assistant is meant to aid the professor of an online course. Their duties and time allow the faculty to focus on student success, engagement, and course delivery.

Responsibilities may include any course issues as defined by your faculty and any needs related to online and distance learning. When you are a Virtual Teaching Assistant, you get to be flexible – meaning that your professor may ask for different tasks for different courses or projects. A benefit is that no two classes are the same, and you get to work with many other professors and students throughout the year!

Virtual Teaching Assistant Minimum Requirements:

Undergraduate Level Courses: A minimum of a conferred Master’s Degree with at least 18+ graduate hours in the specific course content area is required.
- Experience in online education is preferred.
Graduate Level Course or greater: A minimum of a conferred Master’s Degree in a related field with at least 18+ graduate hours in the specific course content area is required.
- Terminal Degree or Actively pursuing a Terminal Degree is strongly preferred and may be required depending on the specific course or program.
- Experience in online education is preferred.

*Please note, the minimum requirements for specific programs and courses are established by our partner Universities and are not flexible. General minimum education requirements vary depending on the discipline or University’s request.

See our Job Postings for specific requirements by area/subject.

Virtual Teaching Assistant Ideal Qualifications:

Excellent verbal and written communication skills are required.
Strong technical skills and basic computer proficiency are required.
Educational, Professional Development, or Training experience preferred.
Familiarity with online teaching or learning management platforms is preferred.
Highly organized, independent worker and problem solver capable of working from home with a flexible schedule.

How to Become a Virtual Teaching Assistant with Instructional Connections

Submit our Online Application to be considered for a Virtual Teaching Assistant position. Remember, these positions are entirely virtual and do not require residence in a particular city or state.

You will need the following documents with your online application:

Cover Letter
Resume / C.V.
Unofficial Transcripts for all degrees earned or in process
- Official Transcripts will be required later if selected to advance to the screening process

If you are selected as a potential candidate, you will complete a Virtual Teaching Assistant Pre-Employment Screening course. This usually takes 4 to 6 hours, as it is a self-paced screening accomplished over the course of one week.

This screening will include details of a Virtual Teaching Assistant’s role and expectations, an introduction to the learning management systems (LMS) we use, and the best practices for online education, FERPA, etc.

Additional Notes:

For employment with Instructional Connections, all applicants must have work authorization that does not require sponsorship of a visa for employment in the United States and Instructional Connections.

Due to the volume of applications received, please be advised that if you have not heard from us within 4-6 weeks of your application submission, we cannot give your application further consideration at present.

Your application will be kept on file for future reference should an opening arise or our University partner’s requirements change.

Does This Job Sound Like You? Contact Instructional Connections to Become a Remote Virtual Teaching Assistant!

Tags online teaching, virtual ta

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Virtual TAs or Graduate Assistants?

Post author By Instructional Connections
Post date October 29, 2020
No Comments on Virtual TAs or Graduate Assistants?

There are a few similarities between Instructional Connections’ virtual teaching assistants (TAs) and traditional graduate assistants (GAs). Let’s look at the benefits, differences, and similarities to see which could benefit your online programming in the shifting university climate of 2020 and beyond.

What Is a Traditional Graduate Assistant?

A graduate assistant is a current graduate student who helps a professor conduct lab or study groups, grade papers or prepare lectures, and may sometimes lead classes or lectures. Graduate assistants may work in their own program or a different field. There is a stipend (financial assistance) that is provided for this type of part-time academic employment, and often the university pays or waves their tuition as well.

What Do Traditional Graduate Assistants Do?

A graduate assistant helps their professor teach large classes, grades homework and projects, may run academically-related errands, and help in other ways that the professor needs for the success of the class. Other graduate assistantships may include research, editing of manuscripts, even lecturing or running discussions in-class.

The classes that graduate assistants teach are usually introductory courses in their field of study, or a similar one, as they are not yet in the field and have little to no experience beyond their current classes. For example, an English GA may lead a 101 English course for Freshmen, whereas a GA in a Science field may prepare, set-up, and clean-up labs for an introductory lab class, they may also review and grade scientific journals from the students and clean instruments.

The most important duties of a graduate assistant are:

Leading discussions and answering student questions within their understanding
Grading student essays, projects, labs, and tests
Recording grades and updating student records

What is a Virtual Teaching Assistant?

Unlike a graduate assistant, each Instructional Connection’s teaching assistant (AKA Virtual TA) is a highly-qualified, experienced professional in the appropriate academic field. Instead of current students, our virtual teaching assistants have already earned at least a Master’s or Doctoral degree from an accredited university. In fact, our virtual teaching assistants have an average of 14 years of industry experience in their field. This means your students are not being assisted by a current graduate student, but a professional in the field they are looking to join!

What Do Virtual Teaching Assistants Do?

Our virtual TAs are tremendous resources to students in their related fields. And our virtual teaching assistants’ goals are always aligned with your university’s specific priorities. Under the leadership and direction of your faculty, your virtual teaching assistant can assist with online grading, management of discussion threads, approved announcements, and day-to-day tasks.

Traditional graduate assistants mainly help in the classroom, and may lack experience in their field, whereas our virtual teaching assistants work online in distance learning programs (online courses) and have vast experience. Their responsibilities can include course issues related directly to distance learning, which has dramatically increased in 2020 due to COVID-19 and many universities moving toward fully online programs. This frees the faculty member of record to focus on engagement, course delivery, and outcomes.

The most important duties of an online teaching assistant are:

Daily tasks of assisting the professor in online courses
Answering questions, emails, and other messages from students 7 days a week
Managing online discussion threads and in forums
Posting approved announcements for the course
Grading student essays, projects, labs, and tests
Recording grades and updating student records

Instructional Connections’ Online Teaching Assistants Can Save Universities 20%-30%!

Universities that work with Instructional Connections can scale the delivery of their online education courses and degree programs at a substantially more affordable cost by using our online teaching assistants. By employing online TAs who directly support your Faculty of Record in online education courses and classrooms, your faculty can focus more time on student success and delegate supplemental tasks to our assistants.

With so many universities needing to move to online and distance learning, our virtual TAs are in high demand and can help your programs migrate online seamlessly. Contact us today to learn more!

Tags Online Education, virtual ta

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