Hours at the computer
As an online instructor, I spend hours at the computer. Unfortunately, I also have a bad back so sitting for long stretches is not a good thing. So, I have a little dog that sits by my feet, usually sleeping but every once in awhile, she demands to be petted. She is my comic relief. The dog can be pretty funny sometimes.
It's true. Sometimes, short breaks are all we can get, but they can be very helpful. Sometimes you just need to momentarily hit the reset button and you are far more effective as an instructor after doing so.
I agree with the short breaks, teaching and also learning online is very time consuming. I find that most times I don't have much freedom to do anything. Online course work is very demanding.
I agree! I teach online also and really feel it after hours of sitting. I get so focused on my grading that I forget how long I have been sitting!
Colleen
My huband provides the comic relief! (And no, I do not mean that in a negative way!) He makes me laugh and reminds me to get up and get moving for a while. Sometimes I forget how much better I feel when I exercise a bit after (too many) hours at the computer. But for comic relief and the need to move, dogs are great too!!
Short breaks work well, because you can lose track of time and not realize that your body is tired, your blood sugar is low, your eyes are tired, etc. Take short breaks often.
Wendy is right. The laptop makes grading easier because we can change positions and move from a straight-backed chair to the couch. During good weather, we also can grade outside.
During marathon grading sessions, I will stand up to stay awake and alert. This helps, especially on deadline.
Having two monitors also is a massive time-saver, especially while copying and pasting rubrics into the feedback. Look for deals on a second screen and pick one up if you have a laptop or a destop with a dual video card.
If you have but one screen, use ALT and TAB to toggle between windows, or CTRL and TAB to toggle within the same window.
Belinda,
I used to work in an office and now; that's over with.
I work from a laptop in my comfy chair so my back doesn't bother me any more.
I also have a puppy and she climbs right up with me and sleeps while I work.
As an online instructor, I can relate to the long hours sitting in front of the computer. My way to just get away is to get up stretch and go get a cup of coffee. This allows me to gather my thoughts and breaks up the day a little which can be a stress relief.
Hi Belinda
Go to Office Max/Office Depot and get a special chair for your back (you sit up in this special chair) and it is great for your back
Thanks
Alana
Pets can provide great stress relief. For your back, consider trying a few different chairs to see if there is one that works better than the rest.
