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WGLT's reporting on the coronavirus pandemic, which began in McLean County in March 2020.

El Paso Teacher Sees Growth In Online Learning Post Pandemic

Ronald Howard drawing on a computer screen
Ronald Howard
Ronald Howard of El Paso teaches a drawing class for children through Outschool.com.

School closings caused by COVID-19 have pushed nearly all learning online.

Ronald Howard of El Paso already was there.

In February, Howard started teaching a drawing class he dubbed "Biggie Ron’s Drawing Club" for grade school students through a live video chat on Outschool.com, while his wife Cara teaches literature on the same site.

He said until the pandemic, most students on the site were homeschoolers, but the coronavirus has sparked more interest in children and parents wanting more learning options.

“It’s a tragedy for the sickness that’s been going around. However it has really caused a massive influx of students,” said Howard, adding the online classes may not replace what is learned in school, but can supplement that instruction, serve as a tutor, or provide personal enrichment.

Howard said he’s currently teaching eight classes of six students to allow for more individual attention. He said drawing teaches students detail and perseverance.

“Artwork isn’t about being perfect right out of the gate,” he said. “Just like life, you have to practice. You have to keep going at it.”

Teachers For Hire 

Outschool is looking to hire 5,000 teachers in dozens of subjects, everything from theater to marine biology to foreign languages.

The company said it screens all teachers through a process that includes a phone conversation, a background check and a manual review of their classes. Credentials and teaching experience are not required.

“We screen all our teachers to feel confident they are offering a legitimate and quality educational experience,” said spokesperson Kristen Marion. “We don’t require any particular teaching credential because we believe that many adults can offer great learning experiences based on their interests and expertise.”

Outschool was created in 2017. Marion said teachers are paid by the number of classes they teach and they set their own price per student. Typically, teachers are paid about $40 per hour taught, she said.

For Howard, teaching is a nearly full-time vocation that supplements his work as a video game designer.

He said as more students get a taste for online learning, he thinks more children and adults will realize the benefits and the technology will become more widely used.

“I think it’s just going to be ...  a way more viable option than it’s been seen in the past,” Howard said.

The Illinois State Board of Education has not reviewed Outschool.com and declined comment, but ISBE spokesperson Max Weiss said the board has added free educational resourcesto help educators while they are teaching remotely. 

We’re living in unprecedented times when information changes by the minute. WGLT will continue to be here for you, keeping you up-to-date with the live, local and trusted news you need. Help ensure WGLT can continue with its in-depth and comprehensive COVID-19 coverage as the situation evolves by making a contribution.

Eric Stock is the News Director at WGLT. You can contact Eric at ejstoc1@ilstu.edu.
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