So You Want to Teach Online?
Video Chat Tutorial for Lesson Teachers Exclusively from LessonPortal.com:
The Internet provides a great opportunity for people from all walks of life to communicate over long distances. Until recently, however, real-time video was fuzzy and jerky at best. With the advent of higher speed data transfers (cable modem, high speed DSL, and most recently Verizon FiOS), people now speak and see each other over the Internet quickly, easily, and for free.
So where do you start? First, your connection to the Internet. Well, not only yours, but any potential student as well. Safe standards are cable modems and higher speed DSL lines as well as FiOS. Stay away from dial-up and satellite connections due to “latency”. Without consistent speed, Internet video telephony is frustrating and not worth your time. So unless you and your students have a fast connection (recommend 1.5MB down, 300 or more kbps up), don’t bother. How do you know if you're qualified? Check here (http://www.auditmypc.com/internet-speed-test.asp). It’s the upload speed that really counts, so be sure to check. This “speed test” should be a first step for potential students as well. For reliability, take it several times and average the results.
OK, so you’ve got the speed. You’re ready to teach online, right? Almost. Now you need a computer, preferably one purchased within the last 2 years (Mac or PC), a web cam (almost any will do, but you get what you pay for).
Next, we need software. Personally, I like iChat on the Macintosh. But it’s a PC world, so I also use Skype
 . But there’s also a package called SightSpeed. I would try to be flexible and offer students a first choice, like Skype, and if it doesn’t suit your needs, try SightSpeed. If both you and the student are Mac users (all iMacs and Mac Laptops have come with the camera and software built in since June 2006 or so), by all means, make your lives simple and go with iChat.
Now you have the speed, the camera, the computer, and some energy! As far as business practice goes, the online method does offer significant advantages. Fewer “late” or “early” arrivals (and no traveling by either party thereby saving gas money already), canceled lessons are much less frequent, and you can completely relax between lessons. For those interested in Skype, they now even offers a “beta” plan called “Skype Prime" which has the student pay by lesson block, per lesson (BTW-I have no affiliation with Skype). Basically, when your student contacts you through Skype, you may choose to chat with them for free (they may have already paid tuition or have a question) or you can charge them for the next block of time as you see fit. This is done through PayPal and the student can even use a credit card. Unfortunately, PayPal takes a percentage for the convenience and you need a PayPal account. Please be on the lookout for other lesson web sites charging a “middle-man” fee for this. You can still choose the free method, and forget about “Skype Prime” and use regular Skype. It’s just one option which guarantees you payment for your time. If you want to maximize your earnings, go with a free service, just keep in mind you simply need reliable, paying students.
Alright, now we’re ready to go. Best video chat results come from good lighting, and good camera angles. Steadiness on both ends is very important, so a tripod is good. Internet video and fast movement are not yet a good combination; but for basic, convenient lessons, it’s great. Start with a video chat with a friend and experiment with lighting. Some teachers use a full body shot (clarinet, oboe, sax, dance, acting, sometimes voice). Some like a close-up of the face (brass, sometimes voice). Some are more suited to a close-up of the instrument (piano, percussion) so hands can be seen.
I don’t profess to be the “expert” on teaching online, I’m just giving friendly advice. I’ve seen many teachers switch to this method full time due to travel obligations or they simply want students from across the country. It does work, so experiment, and have some fun! If you have ideas or things to add, let me know!
Chris Hoovler
LessonPortal.com
Updated March 29th, 2008
Here's what other teachers have had to say so far:
"I started doing webcam lessons in September 2006. I have been testing many different providers/software applications. I started out with SightSpeed, but I found that you either get great video or great audio, but not usually both at the same time, since the service has to go through their servers, which seem to be constantly experiencing technical difficulties. Skype worked great until I got a new computer. It then refused to recognize my webcam. In a pinch, I've used Yahoo video and a telephone for audio (which works surprisingly well). Right now, I'm using MSN messenger with very good results (but I expect the server difficulties to still occasionally be a problem). I also tried an application called Qnext, but unless a student is a tech expert (or has access to one) it is not very practical.
You might also want to mention that wireless connections aren't really suitable either -- you really need to be on a hard-wired computer (although wireless headphones work pretty well.)
Julie Stroud
Violinnovation.net"
"I tried online lessons years ago. I found that it was impossible to play or sing along with the student because the connection acted much like a telephone line...only one person could talk at a time. I would still like to do them but, unfortunately there is no cable, DSL or high speed internet, other than wireless, offered in my area.
C. Hawks"
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