It's important to create, and stick to a schedule. Time management is crucial for online instructors, and must also be encouraged to the students. Many time wasters occur because of students' lack of time management.
I learned that it helps to streamline tasks, workload, and emails. It also helps when the online instructor prioritizes tasks for their students.
Workload in online teaching and how to manage so you do not get overloaded
I liked the suggestion of asking online instructors who have already taught a similar class for ideas/guidance so as not to waste time with trial/error situations that could be avoided entirely. I also liked the idea of the automatic responses emails to help cut down on typing out the same message over and over, such as to let students know you have received their assignment. I will use these suggestions to help manage my time if I teach an online course in the future.
I've learned a lot of solid practical "nuts and bolts" strategies and techniques. These are things you don't learn in college, and I'm grateful for the opportunity. The "three lists of three" is a good one for me. I also learned good foundational principles, questions, and components necessary to consider before designing the Learning Environment.
I appreciated the following especially:
1. be proactive. Share time management process with your students, not only because it will help them, but because the investment will come back to you; for example, preventing procrastination, or making it less likely, so that their "emergency" doesn't become one that puts a kink in your instructional plan.
2. knowing what all instructors should be able to do efficiently, and if not, get PD
3. how to maximize email filters, automated messages, and use discussion boards and FATQ's
4. the elements of the information management system over which the instructor must have control, especially about the difference between necessary or "good" redundancy and the excess which can take time and overload S and I alike.
Very valuable unit! Thank you
WLMS involve application of the 7 principles of good practice and instructors need to acquire project management skills inorder to determine the WLMS that they need for online teaching. I am going to try and improve on my time management skills.
Workload management is dependent upon time management. Know your deadlines.
The first thing an online teacher needs to come to the realization that they are no longer just a teacher but a facilitator of knowledge. Without some sort of time/work management skills it would make a online course very difficult to manage.
Instructor and technology support are key components of an effective online environment.
I am currently doing school online with my high schoolers, It amazes me the lack of technical knowledge they have. I am a Gen Xer and for the most part, I just figure it out on my own. I am pretty savvy but I am also not an expert so I am constantly trying to communicate different components of online learning. I am definitely surprised at my level of tech support that I provide.
Management of information is very important in online teaching.
In this course I learned that organization, communication, management of workload, quaility of information and time are important for students being successful in an online environment.
Teachers need to find what teching tool fits thier teaching styles and to ensure it is functional. They need to understand that online instruction are not at easy as it might seem and they might have some bumps in the road. It will take some time to adjust but with the proper training it will be accomplished.
Instructor and technology support are key components of an effective online environment.
I find the organizational process allows the online instructor to practce task, stick to the task, not get distracted and finally fully complete the task. This is vital for the instrutor so he/she will not get inundated witht personal affairs and professioanl work.
Using good Workload Management Strategies will keep my teaching more organized and objective related. It can also ease the workload.
The course begins with a great instructor who has a clear plan and goal for themselves and students and adequate resources and assistance. Being able to stay focused allows for a great deal of quality work in a limited amount of time. Being organized and having set priorities and a definite agenda to follow to facilitate a course makes for a positive and pleasant efficient instrutional experience.
A workload manager must be well organizated, focusing on utilizing the following workload strategies: utilizing emails, etc., using various teaching techniques, facilitating learning, evaluating quality assessments, and providing an ethical foundation.
With proper time management, the instructor can ensure he/she is providing the student with detailed feedback for improvement.
Online teaching can not be effective for teacher or student if time management and proper organizational skills are not enforced.
Without proper organization and time management, the online learning process will not achieve the desired end result.
