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[hollygoheavily]

Hello. I'm a newbie to the world of online teaching, but my dire looking financial future has persuaded me to consider an opportunity to teach at an online university. Unfortunately, I am worried that my post-graduation plan may turn into a double-edged sword that could lead to peril instead of victory for my hope of a future in academia. So far, I have secured a part-time position at as a lecturer at a research university for the upcoming academic year in the hope that my affiliation with this university will grant me access to incredible libraries for my obscure research interests and lend air of legitimacy to my article submissions and job applications. Unfortunately, access and legitimacy do not pay my rent in full nor do they even begin to cover luxuries like groceries. So, I am considering an online teaching job with an online university that is actually interested progressing beyond the initial interview stage and might actually pay me enough to live on more than hope.

My fear is that instead of acquiring a skill that could help my improve my chances on the job market, teaching for an online university might actually prohibit my chances. The university in question does not evoke any images of rising out of the ashes and it does offer a month long training program as well as the opportunity to design some of my own classes. Would accepting a job as an online adjunct instructor at a for-profit online university be perilous for my future job searches in academia?  Should I allow myself to be happy about the possibility of not being completely impoverished and excited about the opportunity expand my pedagogical skills in a new direction? Or should I seek my sustenance elsewhere? Thank you for your honest and thoughtful replies.

yours, DD

[larryc]

Go ahead and take the job. The added experience of teaching online outweighs whatever slight (and it is very slight) taint that comes with working for the U of Phoenix or whomever.

[caesura]

You don't have to put it on your CV, if you feel it would detract.

[zuzu_]

I was once an adjunct for ITT Online. I think this strengthened my application for CC positions, for which I would be expected to teach online and teach similar student populations. YMMV. I am sure the taint is stronger to different types of institutions.

[ex_mo]

I worked for an online-for profit (not UofP) for more than a year while I was finishing my dissertation.

It was a big plus for the TT job I ended up getting, mostly because the SLACs I was shooting for all wanted to strengthen (or, in some cases, begin) their online programming and I presented myself as an "expert" on online learning.

It helped that I had experience at my gradschool R1 with Blackboard online courses that I designed and implemented myself and that I could add that I worked for OnlineU using their proprietary software and on courses that I did not design.  Varied experience seemed to be the clincher. 

[baphd1996]

I teach online part-time to supplement my income.  So it's sort of what you stated you wanted to do.  The extra money is great.  Some of the on-line schools are reputable and are accredited by the regional boards, so it shouldn't be a strike against you.  Personally I think on-line education will grow, so you should actually look good already having experience in it.