I don't do this terribly well.
Part of my issue is having too many commitments and too little time.
I teach full time in face to face classes, teach 5-week intensives in formal essay writing, and have two small children.
I find the time pressure is immense in the first half of the week and can't seem to keep up. We are "encouraged" to have our live chats before Wednesday, have grades due by Wednesday (not submitted until Sunday night), and have to participate in the discussion board "regularly" and meeting a certain ratio. This means that although I teach during the days the whole week, my evenings are crammed with live chats, db posts, and grading. By the time Thursday comes around, I'm burned out and usually forget to come back on line until Friday night.
I do a "data base" type document for my grading comments, but I'm not sure how to streamline the process more. I don't feel like my students get as much as they should, but I feel like I spend every spare moment grading essays and playing catch up.
I definitely welcome any suggestions. It is terrible to feel like you are always doing a bad job. :-(
maryln,
Make sure the students know when you will and will not be online. You have the right to take time off and not be a 24/7 instructor. Just make sure the students understand the communication timeline. Thanks!
Janis,
I agree. Sounds like there's a plan. Thanks!
Dr. Tena B. Crews
Janis,
Work hard and play hard. I can totally see where you are coming from. Thanks!
francis,
Right on. We have to make sure students know when they can count on you being available. Thanks!
Katherine,
It seems like you have developed a schedule that works for you. But, go on vacation with your family!
Wendy,
I know. I feel like my laptop is attached to my hip! Ha!
I have been teaching online since 1999 and I feel the anxiety of now being online 24/7. I have tried this year as one of my resolutions to try to reduce this anxiety to get my online work finished for the day and then walk away from the computer. There has been days when this approach works and sometimes it doesn’t. I think I am getting better at walking away from the computer and spending more time with my family.
Dave - it sounds like you have this down to a science!
Jan
Truly how I do it is to do my work first - get it done (as much as we can ever be 'done' with a asynchronous class) and then enjoy life.
I check in early in the morning and again in the evening if I can.
Jan
I try to set up specific times when I will be online and available to students. At the same time I am always aware that I need to remember I have a home and personal responsibilities.
I set aside time after my children go to bed to work on the online courses. On the weekends, I get up early (I have teenagers who like to "sleep in") so that I have quiet time to work. I also empower technology through hotspot (internet access via cellphone) to power my laptop to work on the online class when my family goes on vacation.
It can be hard especially when you work remotely. I find I take my computer everyone and am always answering emails. I find it is difficult to step away from work especially since emails can come to the phone.
Robert,
Prioritizing our lives and work can be difficult, but many times it's not about time management, but priority management. Keep up with the balancing act.
megan,
Ha! I bet. The distractions can probably build up, but the flexibility to work at home sounds great. It's good you have now developed a system that works for you. Nice job.
Managing my time requires discipline and organization. My lectures are scheduled at a convenient time during my day and generally during the day of my students. I ask at the beginning of the course if afternoons or evenings are best for their attendance and participation. If possible I accommodate the majority response.
In healthcare my professional life is integrated with my teaching as I bring current issues and hospital administrative challenges into the discussions.
I'm fortunate in some respects to be married to a nurse and not have children living at home....just two standard poodles. Generally educational work is done for about an hour after dinner and a couple of hours are left for the four of us to spend time together.
A couple of hours are spent in the morning on the weekends for my students....office hours, postings, feedback and taking a phone call or two.
Without balance and the coordination of one's professional activities the result is chaos and burnout. We've all seen this too often.
Working from home with little children I've found to be both a blessing & a curse! I have tried to be available and accessible to my online classes while also doing the same to my family, and it has resulted in my feeling like I'm not giving 100% to either group. So, I've started blocking off specific times of the day that is only for teaching; I allow longer blocks of time for course management and then more frequent but smaller blocks for responding to emails. It is much less stressful this way, but I do still have to accept that unexpected events will present that cause my schedule to need some tweaking for the day or week!
David,
You are right. I have heard that it's not about time management any more, but it's about priority management. That's an important concept for students to understand as well.
It is all about scheduling, setting priorities and having the right technology to access when/where the situation warrants. Smartphone/data device, iPad and Chromebook allows me to access anytime. By being able to access when needed, it eliminates much of the stress for family life. Having set hours of operation is key also.
Kristina,
Sounds like you have found a pretty good balance. It takes time to develop a good plan, but once you get one, it's great. AND, you are so right - the sense of humor is a must. Thanks for sharing.
