I set aside time that is only for my online work. During this time, I am work and my wife, children and grad children know that I am at work, even if I am downstairs in the den. I am not to be disturbed.
Loriann,
Planning ahead and not procrastinating like many students is essential. You are right on target. Thanks for your input.
The best way to keep a balance is planning ahead and setting a timeline for what has to be done. I like to keep a list of items with a designated time frame in which I can accomplish within a reasonable time frame of course.
Ms. Allen
Anthony,
You provide good advice to others. The sooner we deal with distractions, issues, etc., the better. Keep up with your schedule.
Thanks!
I do this by maintaining a schedule and separating time for each job function, including separating time for interaction with students. I also resolve any issues on the spot and look for solutions so that work does not pile up.
Donald,
I agree, it's not easy. Getting time for exercise and friends is essential and we have to make sure we take care of ourselves so we can then take care of the students. Thanks for sharing.
I am not sure that this is an easy question to answer. I allocate time to do certain things for teaching, and time for relaxation. I like to go for walks every day, and experience the outside. When I feel like it, I take my walks. When I want to see my friends, I allocate the time based on what I have to do. It is a difficult decision, and it depends upon the circumstances.
Donald L. Buresh
Sueanne ,
Be careful not to become a 24-7 instructor. Do set guidelines and make them work for you and your students. It's good that you get back to your students quickly, but in a study I did, my students said getting back to them within one hour didn't motivate them any more than getting back to them within 24 hours. They just want to know the communication guidelines. Thanks!
I may be lucky in that I have minimal commitments (meaning no children at home) that pull my time and focus from my being an Instructor. Plus, I enjoy working with the students so this really isn't work to me. I actually miss the contact and interaction I experienced with classroom teaching. Initially, I believed I had to be online basically 16-18 hours every day in case a student needed me. I had even restricted my weekend activities so that I was available since tests and work were due Sunday nights. I felt I had to be online in case there were problems or questions. I quickly learned 1) that I could not maintain that level of availability and 2)that boundaries are necessary. Students came to expect an email response within 10-20 minutes and that every t-call would be answered. I had to force myself to back-off and follow the availability guidelines I had established and hold the students to the same. I have my formal office hours but I am still available outside these hours but to a limit. Specifically, I am a night person so while it is fine to call me at 11pm any communication before 10am is not. I have also established a routine so I'm organized and the students know what to expect and when.
Thomas ,
Glad it's working for you. It's nice to have space just for what you want and then you can really concentrate while you are in that environment. Thanks for sharing.
One of the things that I did awhile back was actually set up one of the rooms in the house as a "home office". Then I actually set times when I would be in there completing work each day and at the end of the day when the kids come home, I "leave" the office for the evening and spend time with the family. It has worked out very well for me so far.
Tom
Dori,
It is difficult, but so important. We do have to be disciplined and use our best time management skills. It is important to tell students, in the syllabus or announcement, when you will be online and when you will be checking email, discussion posts, etc. Don't become a 24/7 instructor.
Thanks.
To be honest, it's difficult. I have three small children with a lot of activities, and I am active with many activities as well.Sometimes I don't get a ton of sleep, but I always manage to get my work done and done well. It takes discipline and knowing when push comes to shove. There have been times when I have had to rearrange something to get my work done. I think the more I work, the more comfortable I become with managing all that I have to balance.
Traci,
Providing timeframes to students is something everyone should do. Glad you do this. Students need to know when to expect communication to occur. Nice job.
With four children it is often difficult to balance my work with my personal life. I give my students time frames of when the can call me which include the times my children are at school and after their bedtime. I am also careful to limit my time with my students over the weekend.
Stacy,
Nothing wrong with having a schedule. Students need structure well, but allow for some flexibility. That's a good combo. When we get more busy in our lives, the structure becomes more important it seems. Let students know your schedule so they can work with it and set their schedule as well. Nice job.
Hello, everyone.
While some may categorize me as anal, I have all of my activities on a schedule while also allowing some flexibility for myself. There are certain days and times for grading. There are certain timeframes to review emails and discussion board submissions. The other aspects of my life are also clarified. I have days and times that I see clients, go to the gym, and even just sit and watch television. I recognized early in life that only working wouldn't make me happy. Sometimes, I've had to remind students that I have a certain timeframe to respond to emails so they are aware that we aren't computers. We are people with lives as well.
George,
So glad you have been enjoying teaching. When you enjoy your work, it is not work at all.
Thanks for your input.
I cannot say that business and pleasure are or should be two different things as I have been in a position to select that which I enjoy doing. Having said that, teaching online is what I do because I enjoy it and it affords me the opportunity to actually consider it as an important part of my life. Teaching means that I must continually be in the learning mode with students. I teach business so it is not as “hard and fast†as, say, Math. The organizations that I belong to that are business related put me into contact with people and places that I have found rewarding in my professional as well as my personal growth. My social life does not revolve around my professional life; rather they have become entwined. By having hours that I devote to teaching and the admin that goes with it, with vigorous planning and with attention to enjoying family and friends all up the ante on planning or time management. Teaching is not toil but more a hobby. Hobbies require attention and work but in and of themselves are “chosen†to add a dimension to “life.â€
Lindsay,
We learn as we go and we become better at things that we don't feel comfortable with at this time. Try to set parameters in you syllabus and post them on an announcement and then stick with them. Your parameters may be something like the following: Email and the discussion board will be checked two times per day. Emails and discussion board questions will be answered within 48 hours. If emails or discussion board postings are posted Friday or Saturday, they will not be answered until Monday or Tuesday. Also, give a litte extra credit (if you can) for students who answer each others' questions on the discussion board. I also tell students NOT to email me (unless it's personal), but to post their questions on the FAQ discussion board and anyone can answer their questions. It really cut back on my email. Just some suggestions.
