Having a good teacher matters even in an online class. Whether real or
virtual, a good teacher:
Understands the material and explains it well
Chooses books and supporting material that enhance class content
Guides class discussion and keeps it on track
Provides clear guidelines for homework and other assignments
Grades fairly according to established criteria
Is responsive to students
Is available to provide additional help as needed
There are two elements to investigate: the degree to which schools value and support good teaching, and the specific faculty who will be teaching the classes you need to take.
Size matters
Most schools publish faculty/student ratios. This information doesn’t necessarily reflect what goes on in the classroom because faculty numbers don’t include teaching assistants, who are often the people you have the most contact with. Instead, check for average class size; this will give you a better idea of how much individual attention you’ll be able to get. There are two other numbers to look for. The proportion of full-time faculty can indicate the value placed on teaching, and the proportion of the faculty holding the highest degrees in their fields can indicate the value placed on competence.
Check it out
After you’ve done your online research, visit the school and sit in on a few classes. Do the instructors present the material clearly? Are they responsive to questions and willing to re-explain complicated material? Can you picture yourself sitting in those classrooms?
There are places online where you can research teacher quality.
Formal ratings sites like PrincetonReview and U.S. News and World Report, which offer statistics-driven rankings of schools and teachers
Informal ratings sites like StudentsReview.com, with rankings and comments by current students and alumn
The school’s Web site, which will have a mission statement and biographical info on faculty members