Workload strategies
Which workload strategies have anyone in the thread utilized successfully ?
I use a simple, color-coded Excel spreadhsheet which I update every day.
I try to front-load it with more tasks than I can handle in a day, and only the ones in RED are the "must-do" ones for the day.
That way, I don't feel pressure to do the non "must-do" ones in a particular day, but if I get off to an early start I can be particularly ambitious and knock tasks off my list at a better-than-average pace.
Cindy,
You bring up a good point about being "dedicated to the time." We all know how things on our calendar seem to get "skipped" and we fall behind. Keep up the good work.
I teach full time for an local university (on campus), but I also teach for 3 online schools. My time management is a MUST! I have set evenings that I teach, grade, plan, etc. I would be lost without my calendar. I've found that I just have to be dedicated to the time each and every day and things will get done.
Joan,
I too rely a lot on my calenar, but try not to let it overtake my life. There is a fine balance. Thanks!
I would be lost without my calendars. I have a desk calendar that I scribble notes on, but I have a calendar on my computer that alerts me when I'm at the end of the allotted time I've estimated for that task. Everybody seems to schedule tasks such as grading, lectures, and discussions, etc., but the most important thing on my calendars is miscellaneous time. I found that out the hard way. I remembered to schedule in personal time and I thought I had it down. I didn't take into consideration the fact that we all hit bumps. I try to tell students to do this also. We all have other duties and lives outside of our jobs. Before I scheduled time for miscellaneous I found that I was using my personal time for the unexpected things that happened at school.
Clovis,
My main strategies that work for me are setting aside specific time dedicated to the course work, keeping a calendar, making all assignments due Wednesday at 5:00 p.m. and having office hours on Tuesday/Thursday. What about you?
Please add to the conversation and don't just ask questions. Thanks!
