Teacher perspective -- What's different about online lessons vs. in person?

[Bob]

What do you do differently?

[keypeg]

Bob, I responded in your parallel thread.  I should ask, in what context are you asking this?  Like, are you considering studying with a teacher on-line vs. in-person, or perhaps teaching in either?

[Bob]

I saw the online session with the jazz guy and wondered.  It's different from each perspective though.

At one point I considered giving lessons online.  Not now though.  I just wondered how it would work.  And how it work for really interacting with the student for individual progress, as opposed to just doing a masterclass (prepared) speech/topic. 

[keypeg]

Bob, since you got no responses here I wrote a PM where I gave some examples of approaches I've received out there.  I worked in various frameworks.

[louispodesta]

Bob, since you got no responses here I wrote a PM where I gave some examples of approaches I've received out there.  I worked in various frameworks.

I am pretty sure that I also responded to this Post and it was deleted.  On Point, I have studied for years under Dr. Thomas Mark "Online."

Further, the top Instructor for the Golandsky Foundation actively recruits and teaches "Online."

[Bob]

I thought of another difference. For online teaching it's probably more like to be an adult student, and they'll be more tech savvy.   The situation is going to weed out those who can't create/support a tech set up.

[keypeg]

I thought of another difference. For online teaching it's probably more like to be an adult student, and they'll be more tech savvy.   The situation is going to weed out those who can't create/support a tech set up.

I think I remember seeing one program that was geared to children, where parents were given a role, so that it was actually parent + child.  It had substance, was aimed at giving skills, and parents were guided, but I can't remember much since it didn't suit my goals.  My children are adults and I'm the student.

For "tech setup" are you still thinking of only the arrangement that resembles in-person lessons, i.e. both people are live?

Bob, have you thought of what kinds of things you'd want to teach, when you were considering this?  How about the side of organizing it?

[timothy42b]

There is one huge advantage to online:  payment.

I bring this up because there are a lot of complaints about getting parents to pay up on time.  With online, you just take the credit card or paypal first.  No pay, no play. 

Kind of like doing gigs in a church - experience says get the check BEFORE the service.  A lot of them will "renegotiate" after. 

[keypeg]

Timothy, couldn't you choose to be paid by Paypal or credit card for in-person lessons as well?  I don't like Paypal because it takes a portion of my money, and to set up for credit card payments, I understand you have to pay some kind of fee to the bank which I thought was somewhat hefty. I haven't looked into it much.  Do you use this option, and if so, how have you found fees?

[timothy42b]

I'm sure I could pay on-line for in person lessons but I've never done it that way. It's probably an age thing.  My children don't carry cash, they buy stuff with plastic. 

I've paid by credit card just for Skype lessons.  I have a PayPal account but rarely use it, there's a fee on that too(except for family usage, which this is not.  They don't check but I'm not going to be dishonest.)

I think it costs my teacher an additional 2.5% to take the card, and I'm willing to add that to the fee, but he's never asked. 

[keypeg]

I'm sure I could pay on-line for in person lessons but I've never done it that way. It's probably an age thing.  My children don't carry cash, they buy stuff with plastic.  

I've paid by credit card just for Skype lessons.  I have a PayPal account but rarely use it, there's a fee on that too(except for family usage, which this is not.  They don't check but I'm not going to be dishonest.)

I think it costs my teacher an additional 2.5% to take the card, and I'm willing to add that to the fee, but he's never asked.  

I see.  So you're going by what you're seeing on the student side.

While I'm a trained teacher, it's not for teaching music.  I changed careers mostly, and work as a linguist in self-employment.  My clients are in the same city, or not, or in different countries.  Sometimes I'm forced to accept Paypal.  I always lose money, because of what they deduct.

I'm not sure that the advantage you stated is a true one comparatively, because a teacher could ask to be paid by Paypal or credit card for in person lessons as well.  On the other hand, there is a loss for the teacher for both options because of the charges incurred by the teacher.

When I first took lessons, that teacher was part of a "school" (in a strip mall) and they accepted credit card payments.  You paid the first of the month for that month's lessons (in person, in the studios).  Since I had fluctuating income, with some of my own clients being late in paying me from time to time, and was just getting on my feet, I really appreciated this.  I could always pay on time, and then catch up on paying up my card later.