10 Qualities of a Great Teacher

Excellent instruction is based on decision-making — how teachers decide to respond to and engage with students, select curriculum materials, organize learning, and use communication strategies. – Rhonda Bondie is a Harvard lecturer on education teaching courses in the art of teaching.

In today’s digital age, the role of online teaching is more crucial than ever. But what are the qualities of a great teacher in an online environment?

Engaging students through a screen presents unique challenges. It’s not just about delivering content; it’s about demonstrating the qualities of a great teacher—creativity, adaptability, and a strong connection with your students.

This article will explore these essential qualities and offer practical tips to help you excel as an online educator. Whether you’re new to virtual teaching or looking to refine your skills, understanding these key attributes will set you on the path to success.

Start your tutoring journey with Wiingy and join other 4,500+ top tutors today. Click here to apply.

Pedagogy for teaching

Before we jump into the qualities, let us talk about a teaching principle that will help you to be a better tutor besides all the qualities that are mentioned below. 

It is known as the Pedagogy style. Here’s a brief overview of what it is and how it can help you to be a great teacher. 

Pedagogy style refers to the method and practice of teaching, encompassing the strategies, techniques, and approaches that educators use to facilitate learning. It is a broad concept that includes everything from the teacher’s philosophy and instructional methods to the ways they engage students, assess learning, and manage the classroom environment.

Different pedagogy styles are often tailored to the needs of diverse learners and can include approaches such as:

• Constructivist Pedagogy: Focuses on students constructing their understanding through experience and reflection.
• Behaviorist Pedagogy: Emphasizes observable changes in behavior, often using reinforcement and repetition.
• Cognitive Pedagogy: Concentrates on mental processes and how students understand, think, and remember.
• Collaborative Pedagogy: Encourages group work and peer learning to develop social and cognitive skills.

Pedagogical styles are critical in creating effective learning environments that cater to the needs of all students. They are not one-size-fits-all but are adapted to suit different learning styles, such as visual, auditory, kinesthetic, and reading/writing preferences. 

Educators often blend various pedagogical approaches to enhance engagement, understanding, and retention of knowledge among their students. 

Qualities of a great teacher: expertise, skills, and personal qualities

To understand the qualities, we have segmented them into three categories. 

• Teacher expertise
• Communication skills
• Personal qualities

By segmenting these qualities, we can better understand the different aspects contributing to becoming a good online teacher. This structured approach allows educators to focus on specific areas for improvement, leading to a more holistic development as an online instructor.

So here are the qualities that are required to be a good online teacher. 

Teaching expertise

Teacher certification & curriculum expertise

Certification ensures that educators have met professional standards, providing credibility and trust. A certified AP Biology teacher, for instance, can expertly guide students through the complexities of the subject, confidently preparing them for exams. 

Curriculum expertise goes beyond content knowledge; it involves designing lessons that align with educational standards while catering to diverse learning needs. An online history teacher might create a course that not only covers key historical facts but also includes interactive projects like virtual debates or digital storytelling. 

This thoughtful integration of curriculum ensures a cohesive and engaging learning experience, setting effective online teachers apart from those who simply deliver content.

Tech skills that teachers should have

Proficiency in learning management systems (LMS) like Canvas or Google Classroom allows teachers to organize course materials, track student progress, and communicate efficiently. 

For example, knowing how to set up automated quizzes or manage grade books within an LMS can streamline the assessment process and provide immediate feedback to students.

“As a teacher, I’ve found that mastering tech skills like using digital collaboration tools and managing a virtual classroom isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s become essential for really connecting with students and making learning more engaging in today’s digital world.” – Henry Clark, Wiingy Tutor

Additionally, familiarity with multimedia tools is crucial for delivering content in diverse and interactive ways. Teachers should be comfortable using video conferencing software like Zoom, creating presentations with tools like Prezi, and integrating interactive elements such as Kahoot quizzes into their lessons. 

Using innovative teaching methods

Adapting and usage of innovative teaching methods play a massive role in engaging students in an online environment. By integrating creative tools and strategies, teachers can make lessons more interactive and appealing, catering to various learning styles. 

Moreover, incorporating gamification techniques can motivate students to participate actively. An online math teacher might use platforms like Kahoot! to create quizzes that turn learning into a game, with points and leaderboards to spark healthy competition. 

These innovative teaching strategies not only enhance engagement but also help students retain information more effectively, making the learning experience both enjoyable and impactful.

Communication Skills

Set clear expectations and goals

From the outset, outline what students should achieve by the end of the course, including learning objectives, assignment deadlines, and participation requirements. 

For example, if you’re teaching an online English course, clearly state that students are expected to submit weekly essays, participate in discussion forums, and complete a final project.

Consistently reinforcing these expectations helps keep students on track. Use tools like a course syllabus, regular announcements, and reminders to ensure students understand what is required. 

Convey the essence of the subject

As students often rely solely on written or spoken explanations, it’s important for teachers to break down ideas into manageable parts, using simple language and visual aids when necessary. 

For instance, a math teacher might use step-by-step video tutorials to explain algebraic equations, ensuring that students can follow along and revisit the material as needed.

Effective communication also involves being clear about expectations and deadlines. Providing detailed instructions for assignments and using consistent communication channels, like a weekly email summary or a dedicated forum, helps students stay organized and reduces confusion. 

Provide feedback

Providing feedback goes beyond just assigning grades; effective feedback guides students toward improvement. For instance, instead of simply marking a student’s essay as “good” or “poor,” an online teacher should offer specific comments like, “Your thesis is strong, but consider expanding your analysis in the second paragraph for clarity.” This helps students understand their strengths and areas for growth.

“Giving feedback isn’t just about correcting mistakes—it’s about helping students learn and improve along the way.” – Olivia Carter, Wiingy Tutor

Additionally, timely feedback is essential in an online environment, where students may feel isolated. Regular, constructive feedback keeps them engaged and on track. For example, in a coding course, providing immediate feedback on assignments can help students correct errors before they develop bad habits, ensuring they grasp key concepts early on.

Personal Qualities

Be encouraging

Being encouraging helps students stay motivated and confident in their learning journey. In a virtual environment, where students may feel isolated or unsure of their progress, a few words of encouragement can make a significant difference. 

For instance, praising a student for their effort on a challenging assignment, even if they didn’t get everything right, can boost their confidence and motivate them to keep trying.

Encouragement also involves recognizing and celebrating small victories. If a student shows improvement in participation or better understands a difficult concept, acknowledging this progress reinforces positive behavior. 

Be adaptable to every student

Each student has unique learning needs, preferences, and challenges, especially in a virtual environment. This is where adaptability comes in as a quality of a good online teacher. 

For example, some students might excel with visual aids, while others might prefer detailed written explanations. An adaptable teacher recognizes these differences and tailors their approach accordingly, perhaps by offering multiple resources, such as video tutorials, step-by-step guides, or interactive quizzes, to ensure all students can grasp the material.

Adaptability also means being flexible with teaching methods and schedules to accommodate students’ varying circumstances. If a student struggles with time management due to external commitments, an adaptable teacher might provide additional support. 

By being responsive to individual needs, online teachers can create a more inclusive and effective learning environment.

Be patient

As students often face challenges such as technical difficulties, varying learning paces, and distractions in a virtual environment, patience becomes an integral quality of a teacher. A patient teacher understands that students may need extra time to grasp concepts or navigate online platforms. 

“Patience is key for every teacher. It’s what helps us guide students, no matter how long it takes for them to understand.” – Rachel Armstrong, Wiingy Tutor

Moreover, patience helps in addressing repeated questions or misunderstandings without frustration. When a student asks the same question multiple times, a good online teacher responds calmly, perhaps rephrasing the explanation or using a different teaching method. 

This approach not only clarifies the concept for the student but also builds a trusting teacher-student relationship, where learners feel comfortable seeking help whenever needed.

Be open to continuous improvement

The digital education landscape evolves rapidly, with new tools, methods, and technologies emerging regularly. A good online teacher actively seeks out growth opportunities, whether by learning new educational software, attending webinars, or incorporating feedback from students. 

For instance, if a teacher notices that students struggle with a particular concept, they might explore new resources or adjust their teaching strategy to improve understanding.

Continuous improvement also involves self-reflection and adaptation. After each course or lesson, a good online teacher evaluates what worked well and what could be improved. 

Words from the world

We jumped onto Reddit to get a glimpse of what others think about must-have teacher qualities. We will share some of the responses below that we found in those threads. 

• This is what a student has to say about this topic. 

This offers you a better understanding of a student’s POV. It helps you connect with them and understand where you need to work on, to become a better teacher. 

• This next thread comes directly from a professor. 

Why is Wiingy the best platform to teach online?

Wiingy is a top choice for online teaching, offering numerous benefits for educators and students alike.

Here’s why it stands out:

• Comprehensive Subject Range: Wiingy covers a wide array of STEM subjects, including Computer Science, Coding, Music, Language Learning, Data Science, Web Development, Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Test Prep such as AP, SAT, and NAPLAN. This variety allows you to teach subjects you are passionate about and have expertise in.

• Diverse Student Levels: Whether you prefer working with primary, secondary, high school, university students, or even professionals, Wiingy accommodates a range of educational stages. This flexibility ensures you can teach at the levels where you feel most comfortable.

• Flexible Teaching Hours: Wiingy offers the freedom to set your own schedule. You can choose to teach at times that fit your personal commitments—be it morning, afternoon, evening, or weekends—making it easy to balance teaching with other responsibilities.

• Global Reach: The platform connects you with students from across the globe, providing an enriching experience as you interact with learners from different backgrounds and cultures.

• Exciting Earning Potential: Tutoring with Wiingy not only allows you to engage in meaningful work but also offers competitive compensation. You are rewarded for your expertise and dedication, with opportunities to earn based on your passion and teaching skills.

• Customized Tutoring Opportunities: Wiingy lets you select tutoring roles that align with your interests and expertise, ensuring you can focus on teaching subjects you love and are knowledgeable about.

By offering a flexible, rewarding, and global teaching experience, Wiingy is an excellent platform for online educators seeking to make a significant impact.

Start your tutoring journey with Wiingy and join other 4,500+ top tutors today. Click here to apply.

Bottomline

In the evolving landscape of online education, embodying the qualities of a great teacher is essential for creating an effective and engaging learning experience. By focusing on teaching expertise, communication skills, and personal qualities, educators can rise to the challenges of the virtual classroom. 

Whether through continuous improvement, adapting to student needs, or leveraging innovative teaching methods, these qualities collectively ensure that online teachers can inspire, support, and guide their students to success. Embracing these principles will not only enhance your teaching but also leave a lasting positive impact on your students.

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