Online Teaching Degree | Bachelor of Education | Overview (2023)

If you choose to follow a career in teaching you will be providing an incredibly valuable service to society. There is a massive need for properly qualified teachers in South Africa and much of the world. If you want to answer the call to help educate future generations you can start your journey with an online bachelor of education course.

We will take an in-depth look at what you need to become a teacher in South Africa and the different paths you can take to qualify. We’ll discuss how long each of the options would take for both primary and secondary school.

As well as the qualifications required and online options for study, we’ll also look at the employment landscape, covering which are the most in-demand skills as well as likely salary once you are working at a school.

Study education online in South Africa

Until fairly recently there were very few options to study education in South Africa other than traditional contact classes. Thanks to the rapid growth of online education there are far more choices for the aspiring teacher. Studying online has many benefits that make it more accessible for prospective students. Perhaps most importantly is the flexibility offered in terms of both time and location.

You no longer need to attend classes at a specific time and place, meaning you can study from anywhere in the world at any time that is convenient for you. This flexibility also makes studying online more affordable. You don’t need to relocate to another city nor do you need to stop work, making it easier to cover your course fees.

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UJ offers the following postgraduate courses online for teachers who are already working and would like to advance their career prospects:
Bachelor of Education Honours in Education Leadership and Management
Master of Education in Educational Management

There are many job opportunities for teachers

While many professions are seeing lower demand thanks to technology and improvements in efficiency, this is not the case in teaching. Technology is certainly bringing big changes to the classroom, but the need for human teachers and personal attention remains.

At the time of writing, there was a recent news article claiming a shortage of 24,000 teachers across South Africa’s government schooling system. The Department of Basic Education was quick to refute this number, saying that many vacancies were in the process of being filled, but the number was indeed correct at the time.

In recent years the Department of Basic Education has done much to overcome a dire shortage of teachers in the early 2000s. Many new teachers can study using the government Funza Lushaka Bursary to cover their tuition costs in exchange for committing to work at a state school for each year of tuition. The programme was so successful that they ended up with an oversupply of teachers and began offering early retirement to free up positions. The early retirement offer remains in place at the time of writing and has resulted in a renewed demand for new teachers.

The World Bank recently said that 68 million new teachers will need to be recruited globally by 2030. The report highlights the dire need for teachers in some of the world’s poorest countries, but even the US has a shortage of teachers. US President Joe Biden seeks to address this and it has been noted in several US and global research papers.

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Bachelor degree in education requirements

The Bachelor of Education (BEd) degree is a specialised four-year degree when studied full time. The exact requirements differ from university to university, but as a bachelor’s degree, applicants will need to have completed their National Schooling Certificate with a certain minimum pass.
UJ does not yet offer a Bachelor of Education degree as an online course, but it can be studied as a traditional contact class. There are three different courses on offer, each relating to a different age group. The requirements for each are the same and are as follows:

Minimum 60% pass in English as a home language
OR
Minimum 70% pass in English as a first or second additional language
AND
A minimum APS of 26
UJ uses an admission point score (APS) system to rank your subject results from your school-leaving final exams. You can click here to see how to calculate your APS.

FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions about becoming a teacher.

Can I become a teacher without a degree?

The term teacher is very broad and many people earn money from teaching who do not have a degree. That said, if you want to teach at any South African school that falls under the Department of Education, then you will need a degree.

Which degree is best for teaching?

There are two routes to becoming a teacher in South Africa and both are recognised equally. The most direct route is to study for a Bachelor of Education (BEd) degree. This is a four-year degree when studying full-time. The other option is to complete a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). This is a one-year course full-time, but can only be done after first completing a three- or four-year bachelor’s degree.

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What subjects are needed for teaching?

Regardless of the age of the children, you plan to teach you will need to have a decent pass in the language of instruction. If you plan to teach high school children, then you will also need to have done the same subjects that you want to teach, such as mathematics, science, history, geography or accounting.

What skills do I need to be a teacher?

A good teacher has expert knowledge of their subject matter as well as great communication skills and the teacher training to convey this knowledge. Teachers need to be well organised and prepared while also being flexible enough to adapt. Patience and the ability to stay calm under pressure is also important. Classroom and time management skills are crucial for keeping lessons on track.

How many years do you have to study to be a teacher?

The minimum number of years to become a qualified school teacher is four years. If you already have a bachelor’s degree, you can complete a one-year PGCE to become a teacher, but the minimum time of total study is still four years.

How long does it take to become a primary school teacher?

The minimum number of years to become a qualified primary school teacher is four years. If you already have a bachelor’s degree, you can complete a one-year PGCE to become a teacher, but the minimum time of total study is still four years.

What is the maximum age to become a teacher?

There is no maximum age to become a teacher. Older students may find fewer bursary options as these are focused on younger students (eg the government Funza Lushaka Bursary is only open to applicants under age 30), but there are no upper age restrictions on courses nor any legal reasons for older job applicants to be excluded from consideration for positions.

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What kind of teacher is in high demand?

Globally the most in-demand school teachers are those who specialise in science and mathematics. There is also a huge demand for English teachers to teach abroad, with China alone having 300 million English learners. In South Africa, there is also a significant shortage of indigenous language teachers.

What colleges offer teaching?

The Department of Education said in an April 2021 press release that it was working with 24 universities across the country that offer teacher training. It does not appear to have released the full list, but the following 10 institutions were all offering teacher training at the time of writing: UJ, Stellenbosch, Unisa, Wits, UP, NWU, UCT, Walter Sisulu, UKZN and CPUT.

How much money do primary school teachers earn?

According to this 2021 survey, the average income of a primary school teacher in South Africa is R25,200 per month, which is just more than the average of R24,100 for teachers overall in a related survey. This works out to R302,400 per year. A 2020 news report said that qualified teachers in public schools earned a minimum of R278,000 and up to R618,000 per year while noting that private school teachers usually earned far more.

Studying education online with UJ

UJ offers the following postgraduate courses online for teachers who are already working and would like to advance their career prospects:

  • Bachelor of Education Honours in Education Leadership and Management
  • Master of Education in Educational Management

As with all of UJ’s other online programmes, there are six starting date throughout the year and fees are structured so that you only need to pay for one module at a time you. This way you can pay for your degree as you progress through it and you can begin within no more than two months once you apply.

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FAQs

What are some key attributes of effective online teachers? ›

What Makes a Good Online Instructor: Teaching Expertise
  • Online Teachers Have Certification & Curriculum Expertise.
  • Online Teachers Have Tech Skills.
  • Online Teachers Teach Creatively.
  • Online Teachers Are Welcoming.
  • Online Teachers Make Themselves Available.
  • Online Teachers Provide Proactive Feedback.
Mar 6, 2022

What do you like most about teaching online? ›

Teaching English online offers location independence, flexibility of schedule, and a multitude of opportunities to work one-on-one with students of all levels and backgrounds. You can also earn good pay while working from the safety and comfort of home.

Are online teaching degrees legitimate? ›

As long as you opt for a state-approved program, your degree will be just as valid as a degree earned through an on-campus teacher education program. Your options include: Getting your bachelor's degree in Education online.

How do teachers feel about online teaching? ›

More than three-fourths of the teachers preferred online teaching during the pandemic, and most preferred both physical and mixed teaching in the post-pandemic era.

What skills are needed for online teaching? ›

8 Essential Technical Skills For Online Teaching
  • With the advent of technology, online teaching is getting trendy day by day. ...
  • Time Management Skills. ...
  • Enriching Online Learning Environment. ...
  • Email Management Skills. ...
  • Excellent Presentation Skills. ...
  • Spreadsheet Skills. ...
  • Video Conferencing Skills. ...
  • Internet Surfing Skills.
Mar 8, 2022

What are the strengths of online teaching? ›

Strengths of Online Learning
  • Anywhere… ...
  • Anytime, Any Pace… ...
  • Synergy. ...
  • High Quality Dialog. ...
  • Student Centered. ...
  • Level Playing Field. ...
  • Access to Resources. ...
  • Creative Teaching.

How would you describe online teaching? ›

Online teaching is the process of educating others via the internet. Various methods can be used, such as one-on-one video calls, group video calls, and webinars. You can start teaching from any location (home, coffee shop, co-working space) and enroll students from various backgrounds and geographical areas.

What is online teaching in simple words? ›

- Online education is a form of education which is delivered and administered using the Internet. 20 years ago, it would've been difficult to imagine high quality instruction delivered online, but today, in the digital age, it's become a reality. Now online education, or online learning, is a broad term.

What is the biggest challenge in online teaching? ›

7 Top Challenges with Online Learning For Students (and Solutions)
  • Isolation.
  • Motivation.
  • Equipment.
  • Tech Issues.
  • Distractions.
  • Time Management.
  • Barriers to learning (Disabilities / Special Needs)
Aug 18, 2022

Do employers take online degrees seriously? ›

Do employers accept online degrees? In general, employers should treat an online degree the same as they would a campus-based degree. Most employers care far more about the quality of the school than the delivery format of the degree.

Do online degrees say online on the degree? ›

The short answer? No. Degrees earned at an academic institution do not state that a degree was earned in person or online.

Are online degrees looked down upon? ›

In many cases, online graduates receive the same exact diploma as on-campus students. There's also no real need for you to reveal the online nature of your credentials on a job application, unless you just want to. If the school you attend is close to your home, it may be assumed that you attended classes in person.

What are the challenges of online teaching for teachers? ›

Some of these challenges facing professors include:
  • Work organization and time management. Most teachers are required to move to online teaching almost immediately with no training and tools. ...
  • Technology shortage. ...
  • Connectivity. ...
  • Computer literacy. ...
  • Hard of hearing students. ...
  • Data privacy and insecurity.

Why is teaching online so hard? ›

Being at home there is an increased amount of distractions and opportunities to lose focus on the work given. The distractions arise because of the amount of time we spend on asynchronous learning. At school, 100% of the day is synchronous learning.

What are the problems faced by teachers during online teaching? ›

One of the problems faced by teachers during online classes is the difficulty with engaging students. Students are forced to move towards online learning these days. It is a new method of learning for students. So, it becomes hard for teachers to engage students in online teaching.

How do you put online teaching experience on a resume? ›

How to write an online teaching resume
  1. Write out contact information. ...
  2. Write a professional summary. ...
  3. Add relevant work experiences. ...
  4. List your relevant skills. ...
  5. Discuss your education. ...
  6. Include your licenses and certifications.
Jun 15, 2021

What are the responsibilities of an online teacher? ›

The online teacher's duties include formulating and delivering lessons that are conducted virtually. You will also be required to allot homework, grade assignments and quizzes, and report on students' progress.

How do I prepare for online teaching? ›

Tips On How To Teach Online: 7 Basic Principles
  1. Plan Your Classes. ...
  2. Prepare And Master Technology. ...
  3. Set Up A Reliable Working Station. ...
  4. Start Discussions. ...
  5. Communicate Regularly. ...
  6. Motivate Your Students. ...
  7. Ask For Help And Feedback. ...
  8. Understand Basic Student Needs.

What is the greatest benefit of online learning? ›

Flexibility

Many people turn to online learning for its flexibility. Learning virtually from anywhere allows you or your team to pursue coursework without having to commute to a physical campus.

What are the 10 advantages of online education? ›

What are the Benefits of Online Classes for Students?
  • The “Home” Advantage. Digital learning has made learning interesting and fun for students. ...
  • Escape the Traffic. ...
  • Saves your Time and Money. ...
  • Best Online Guidance. ...
  • Instant Doubt Resolution. ...
  • Increased Convenience and Flexibility. ...
  • Enhances Self-Discipline. ...
  • Optimises focus.

What is the positive impact of online education? ›

The biggest positive impact that online education has had over traditional teaching is the freedom to take lessons without the rigidity of space.At the same time, online . learning provides the facility to record the lessons and listen to them again.

How do you introduce yourself online teaching? ›

Your full name, nationality, educational background, and TEFL certifications are some of the most important details you should mention in your introduction video. You can also add something interesting about yourself, like your hobbies or interests.

What is online learning summary? ›

Online Learning: A form of distance education in which a course or program is intentionally designed in advance to be delivered fully online. Faculty use pedagogical strategies for instruction, student engagement, and assessment that are specific to learning in a virtual environment.

What are the main challenges facing online education today? ›

Most recent answer
  • Ineffective Time Management.
  • Lack of Instant Communication.
  • Not Receiving Timely Feedback.
  • Not Receiving Clear Instructions or Expectations.
  • Share Time Management Apps and Resources for Students.
  • Utilize Educational Technology (“EdTech”)
  • Increase Peer Review.

What are the main challenges of online learning? ›

Among the reported challenges are lack of appropriate devices, poor learning space at home, stress among students, and lack of fieldwork and access to laboratories.

What is challenging about online learning? ›

Unintuitive layout, too many links, unclear directions, a lack of interactivity — all of these are challenges of online learning that need to be addressed during development. One way to keep issues with navigation and user experience from impeding learning is through agile learning design.

What are the disadvantages of online degree? ›

Ten Disadvantages of Online Courses
  • Online courses require more time than on-campus classes. ...
  • Online courses make it easier to procrastinate. ...
  • Online courses require good time-management skills. ...
  • Online courses may create a sense of isolation. ...
  • Online courses allow you to be more independent.

What companies dont care about degrees? ›

In this article, we will look into some of the best companies to work for without a degree.
...
For adults who have no college degree, below are some of them.
  • Apple. ...
  • Google. ...
  • Penguin Random House. ...
  • Ernst & Young. ...
  • Hilton. ...
  • Costco Wholesale. ...
  • Publix. ...
  • Whole Foods.
Oct 4, 2022

What degree do most employers look for? ›

Among the Top Bachelor's Degrees in Demand
  • Business Administration.
  • Finance.
  • Marketing.
  • Accounting.
  • Computer Science.
  • Management Information Systems.
  • Information Sciences & Systems.
  • Logistics.

Do you put online degree on resume? ›

It is in your best interest to list your degree as you would a traditional degree on your resume. Put the name of the institution, your major, and also your GPA to attract recruiters. If you earned your online degree from an institution that offers both traditional and online courses, this can work to your advantage.

What is the easiest degree to get online? ›

Easiest Majors and Degrees to Get Online
  • Business. Online business degrees prepare learners for diverse careers. ...
  • Liberal Arts. Liberal arts programs hone critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills. ...
  • Education. ...
  • English. ...
  • Nursing. ...
  • Criminal Justice. ...
  • Psychology. ...
  • Agriculture Science.

How hard is an online degree? ›

Nearly all reputable online programs require the same amount of work as traditional programs. Courses are of equal difficulty, making online degrees no easier - or harder - to earn than traditional degrees.

Are online degrees just as good as in person? ›

As many as 83% of business leaders see an online degree at a “well-known” institution as having the same value as an on-campus degree. If they are not familiar with a school, however, or the institution isn't known for producing prepared graduates from its programs, your degree may not be seen as having the same value.

Do employers care where your degree is from? ›

Of the 1,250 hiring managers surveyed by Intelligent.com: 84% say the institution a candidate attended is a 'very important' or 'important' factor. 71% are more likely to move forward with a candidate who attended a top-tier school. 66% are more likely to move forward with a candidate who attended their own alma mater.

Can you teach online classes with a bachelor's degree? ›

You can pursue a variety of online teaching jobs from home with only a bachelor's degree, even if your degree is not in education. Although many online schools prefer teachers with certification, demand is growing for teachers, tutors, and test scorers without professional licensing.

What are the 2 biggest challenges facing teachers today? ›

66% – Not enough individual attention. 60% – One or more students in class experiencing food insecurity. 52% – Don't have access to the basic classroom materials they need to learn. 51% – Don't have access to the mental health resources they need.

How does online teaching affect students? ›

A lack of face-to-face interaction with the instructors or other peers inhibits student feedback, causes social isolation, and may lead to students feeling unmotivated since there is no sense of pressure from the teacher.

Is teaching online worth it? ›

Yes. Teaching English online provides great opportunities to earn a good salary on either a part-time or full-time basis. While it isn't the most lucrative profession, it does offer great flexibility and convenience, including the ability to make money from home while impacting the lives of others.

Is being an online teacher hard? ›

Becoming an online teacher requires a high degree of motivation and self-direction. If you're someone who can't resist “taking a break” every 10 minutes to see what's new in the fridge or who's “liking” your posts on Facebook, then online teaching may not be the gig for you.

Is online teaching worth training? ›

Training online offers much greater flexibility for the trainees (and trainer) involved, enabling you to “catch up” on missed sessions and go over the material numerous times before the final exam. For students juggling multiple responsibilities, you can see why it may be a good option.

What are the advantage and challenges of online learning and teaching? ›

What Are The Advantages Of Online Learning?
  • Efficiency. Online learning offers teachers an efficient way to deliver lessons to students. ...
  • Accessibility Of Time And Place. ...
  • Affordability. ...
  • Improved Student Attendance. ...
  • Suits A Variety Of Learning Styles. ...
  • Technology Issues. ...
  • Sense Of Isolation. ...
  • Teacher Training.
Oct 10, 2020

How can an online teacher be effective? ›

Top Tips for Effective Online Teaching
  1. Create Your Syllabus.
  2. Explore the Learning Platform.
  3. Offer Live Lectures.
  4. Include Graphics and Slides.
  5. Use a Variety of Teaching Methods.
  6. Use Open Source Resources.
  7. Provide Timely Feedback.
  8. Offer Virtual Office Hours.

What are the key characteristics of an effective teacher? ›

Some qualities of a good teacher include skills in communication, listening, collaboration, adaptability, empathy and patience. Other characteristics of effective teaching include an engaging classroom presence, value in real-world learning, exchange of best practices and a lifelong love of learning.

What are the 3 key behaviors for success of an online learner? ›

Motivation and Independence

To be successful, an online student has to want to succeed. Online learning requires independence, internal motivation, responsibility, and a certain level of maturity.

What are the 9 strategies for effective online teaching? ›

Strategies for Teaching Online
  • Writing your syllabus. ...
  • Working with Teaching Assistants. ...
  • Creating inclusive and equitable online learning environments. ...
  • Engaging discussions online. ...
  • Promote student well-being. ...
  • Facilitating effective online meetings. ...
  • Other resources.

What is the concept of online teaching? ›

Online teaching and learning is faculty-delivered instruction via the Internet. Online instruction includes real-time (synchronous) and anytime, anywhere (asynchronous) interactions.

What do you do that makes you the most successful online teacher? ›

Nurture connections and build relationships with students. Leave space and time for students to connect and socialize with peers. Invite students to share something from where they are currently located in the virtual classroom space. Manage time for individual check-ins and for giving feedback.

How do online teachers motivate students? ›

How to Motivate Learners in an Online Learning Environment
  1. Personalizing Learning.
  2. Rewarding Students' Success.
  3. Providing Meaningful Feedback.
  4. Allow Self-Monitoring.
  5. Setting Clear Goals and Learning Paths.
  6. Encouraging Collaboration with Others.
  7. Using a Variety of Learning Tools.
Jan 22, 2022

What core values should a teacher have? ›

The core of teaching consists of four basic values: dignity, truthfulness, fairness and responsibility & freedom. All teaching is founded on ethics – whether it be the teacher-student relationship, pluralism or a teacher's relationship with their work.

What is the most effective teaching strategies? ›

Every teacher's classroom practice is unique, so here are 7 effective teaching strategies you can use for inspiration to give your students a fulfilling learning experience.
  1. Visualization. ...
  2. Cooperative Learning. ...
  3. Differentiated Instruction. ...
  4. Using Technology to your Advantage. ...
  5. Student Centred Inquiry. ...
  6. Professional Development.
Feb 9, 2023

Why should we hire you as a teacher? ›

Your excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Your strong work ethic and dedication to students. Your innovative and enthusiastic approach to teaching. Your passion for helping students learn and grow.

What are the 10 advantages of online learning? ›

What are the Benefits of Online Classes for Students?
  • The “Home” Advantage. Digital learning has made learning interesting and fun for students. ...
  • Escape the Traffic. ...
  • Saves your Time and Money. ...
  • Best Online Guidance. ...
  • Instant Doubt Resolution. ...
  • Increased Convenience and Flexibility. ...
  • Enhances Self-Discipline. ...
  • Optimises focus.

What are the 5 tips to be successful in online learning? ›

  • Create a schedule and manage your time wisely. Keep a semester and a weekly calendar. ...
  • Stay organized and be thorough. Have a designated study space that is free of distractions so you can focus on your work. ...
  • Remain engaged throughout the whole course. ...
  • Take care of yourself. ...
  • Know where to turn for help.
Aug 5, 2022

What are the three points about online learning? ›

3 Points on Transitioning to Online Learning
  • Use technology as a mean to reach your learning objectives. ...
  • Be present. ...
  • Promote engagement and embrace interactivity.
May 5, 2021

What are the 4 teaching styles? ›

4 Elementary Teaching Styles
  • Instructor-Focused Teaching. Instructor-focused teaching—the approach to education that involves a central figure guiding the learning experience—is probably the most well-known teaching style. ...
  • Student-Focused Teaching. ...
  • Student-Led Teaching. ...
  • Collaboration-Driven Teaching.
Nov 18, 2022

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