Staying Organized
I find it has been extremely important as an instructor to stay organized when teaching online courses or hybrid on ground/online. I teach writing courses so the amount of feedback I give students on their work tends to be more than say a class where grading is more black and white. I find it critical to organize my communication with students into folders. That way I can quickly access what the last line of communication was with the student. Another way I stay organized is by keeping the same routine or method of grading week in and week out. I follow my own system so that the more familiar I am with it the more I will cut down on errors. I find staying organized allows me to respond to students more efficiently and timely as well as having the most up to date information available for that student. This gives them the feeling that I care and I am able to give them more of a personal connection with me.
Kelly and Teresa,
Thanks for continuing the conversation. The more we work on our organizational and time management skills, the better. It is the same for the students. Thanks!
Hi Teresa,
Staying Organized is huge. I do think this is extremely important. Sometimes, I find if I am teaching too many classes, I have to work harder to be organized, but honestly, I think I am able to keep up with communication, and I write everything down per student so I know what is going on.
I do think it is super important to make sure the student knows that I / any instructor cares because I think that is what helps a student succeed.
Thanks,
Kelly
Daniel,
We learn as we go, don't we. For those that are not organized, it can easily get out of hand. Glad some "rubbed off" on you. ;-)
Staying organized was never one of my fortes. However, over the years, I have learned that if I do not remain organized, total chaos can and will ensue. I can now truly say that I do not how I lived for so long without being organized. The person's organizational skills that rubbed off on to me were my wife's. Therefore, I believe, as Ms. Dees has stated, that our organizational skills will transfer to our students.
Hannah and Teresa,
Thanks for continuing the conversation. We have to think about the reality factor and what we need to do in education. We have to be advocates for improved education. Thanks!
Teresa,
It sounds like you have a great organizational system down! I also have a system down where I have folders set out for each of my classes in order to ensure consistency in my grading. This is important so that our students know what to expect when they are completing their assignments.
I have had some students comment on their frustration that different teachers have different styles of grading. Unfortunately, this is a reality of academia. However, I do try very hard to stick to the grading scale set out in our pre-set grading rubric, so that any other courses being taught will hopefully be graded in a similar manner.
Have you had any students make similar comments regarding differences between grading styles?
Hannah
Leigh,
Sounds like you are getting organized and thinking about what you need to keep the communication process going. Nice job.
I agree and it seems the longer I aught courses the more I utilized the same types of materials and discussions. I created folders of emails that I sent out with specific direction at key points in the week (reminders, direction, additional resources). This works great since if loading too much information can be overwhelming but keeping my reminders and announcements in a folder I was easily able to set these up, just a few tweeks here and there).
Maureen,
Sounds like you have a system that works for you. You seem to be organized in your thoughts and motions alike. We are not laughing. You will be surprised how you helped someone through your post. Thanks!
I follow the same procedures each time I sign on. I do emails first,view course analysis, then discussions, grade sync, and check grades. As I do each I analyse, let say discussions and how it is going and if I should commit and general overall view.
It is about analyzing if the course is running correctly, any student problems, things I can change, and review in my mind if it's right!
Staying organized is not always easy because we may have our mind on other factors in our life, so pulling myself up and delivering my best to my students if paramount. At the end of the time online I say, was it right, was it organized. Did I do my best!
Do this appear to be organized? Don't laugh!!!
Erika,
Wow - 5 years. I typically keep any printed information for a year. Everything else is stoked online through the LMS for as long as they are a student at the institution and then I believe two more years. Thanks for your input.
It is difficult, but imperative, that instructors in an online course stay organized. I keep records for 5 years, of all of my students' work, including my feedback. I think it is important to document everything. You never know when you'll need it.
Matthew,
Organization is key. And, you are right. It's hard too. Keep working at it and you'll see strides of improvement. Keep it up.
Teresa,
Staying organized has been one of the biggest keys to my success as an instructor, and also one of the hardest things I had to learn. I did not realize how much organization, based on consistency in my routine, would help me focus on the right things and reduce wasted time for both myself and my students.
Dr. Wendie,
Organization is a key component - no doubt. As you noted, we have to be organized in so many things - email, teaching, communication, etc. Thanks!
Being organized in teaching online courses is key. As an instructor, I find using calendars and reminders to be very important regarding the work that needs to be done.
In communications, I possess email folders. I will not forward an email to this folder until I know I have responded and answered any questions.
In staying organized, it helps me use my time to the best of my abilities.
I also have discussions with my online students about being organized and setting a schedule. In doing so (myself), the skills I utilize can help them in how they complete their material.
Elodie,
Rubrics can save time and also allow students to more deeply understand the expectations. It's great that the rubric can help both the students and the instructor. Thanks for your input.
I used rubric to assess/grade my students' work and so this does not take me too much time unless it is the first time I am teaching a course. When it comes to general communication with my students I do not use folders for my online courses as my content management system allows me to keep track of students' progress but also post private notes for each of them that I have access only. However for my face-to-face classes I have folders for each class with detailed spreadsheets. At the end, whatever works for you but more important use the process that is the most efficient for your time management and the most beneficial for assessment purpose.
teresa,
Your organization skills will also "rub off" on your students. We have to make sure we're organized and timely in our communication and stress that we expect the same from our students. Thanks!
