Ranita,
This can be a tough balancing act in our chosen profession. Sometimes it seems we just have to get a task done and the student who wants to talk at that moment can seem like an interruption.
I try to take a few minutes to listen to the student to judge if this is something I can talk to the student later about or if it is something that is one of those rare "right now" moments.
If it is something that can be discussed later, I try to gently state that I may not have enough time to spend with the student at that moment, and that I will have more time later to give the student the time he or she needs. It does not work every time, but I have had good luck with this approach.
This is a great question- I hope David answers... or maybe you Jeffery can help me out with this? I don't know until it's all said and done what is more critical than the next "task".I work at an Adult education school and it's student centered of course. I don't always have the time to talk with students, but I make the time as needed. Sometimes this allows me to be short on the productivity end.How can I realisticly address this issue and not feel like I'm rushing a student that may need my attention?
Thank you, Susan.
Some folks are still hesitant to use things like smart phones as their primary means of organization. What advise can you give to those who feel this way?
Thanks, Wanda.
An alternative to "no" might be "not right now." It may help others to view you as the team player you are.
I personally prioritize my goals and tasks by using the simplist app on my iphone. It allows me to make several lists as well as to color code each items by prioority. I have really learned to use this to minimize the number of papers/post-its surrounding me. Since, my phone is always with me, I can simply cross off that task and move on. Also, the app will always so a number by it as long as there are items on your list. (So, it never allows me to forget!)
I find, that I still do use a paper list to help keep me on track throughout the work day (for work related tasks that can only be accomplished at work.) It's very satisfying to scribble off a task on that list!
I use a 5 most important things to do list but struggle with interruptors since I am a firefighter and caretaker personality. However, I am finding that resisting the tempatation to tend to interruptors has allowed me to be more efficient. I am learnng to get over people not viewing me as a team player when I say no.
Wanda
I do the same thing. While I think I use the outlook calendar effectively, I also find it helps to shut my door and get out of my calendar and just concentrate on what I'm doing at the time
I utilize my outlook calander and find that it keeps me on track. I also have my instructors share their calendars with me so we are all on the same page. Thanks for all the great tips.
I have only recently began to actually see the need to prioritize tasks/goals. I realize I always am doing this with my daily agenda that I post in the classroom, so students know what is going on for the session. However, outside of that arena, I never realized that it was needed for things like grading papers, lesson plans.
I'm really fond of using post its or even bright colorful pieces of paper to list the top items for the day. The bright paper keeps me drawn to the list to stay on track. Usually, I make my list based on what needs to be done to help the with the student's success. This may mean that papers need graded, coaching the students, or that I can be assisting the program director with filing papers, etc. Next, I would base my list on what do I need to complete to be in accordance with my job title/description. This may mean that lesson plans need done, a meeting needs attended, or that deadlines with syllabi need to be met.
I love the "snooze" for both my tasks and in the morning. The Outlook calendar is very user friendly and effectve in my daily tasks.
I have to create a list in order to piroritize my goals and taks. I like to tackle the hardest task first and I never like to move on without completing a task first.
I typically use outlook to set reminders so that I can easily remember the tasks so that I can achieve my goals.
I also love using the sticky notes that are included with Windows 7.
Each day when I come in to my classroom I make a to do list for the day. I also will check my todo list from the previous day to make sure everything is crossed off. By doing this it keeps me on track of the things I need to get done throughout the day.
I have more than one set of Priorities because of the differnent sets of tasks involved. I have time-sensitive items that have to be done- I start with them and prioritize them by am and pm, if I get caught up in am I do some pm time sensitive items, and if I have extra time in the pm I prep for next day am items
I then prioritize into items that are short term and those that are long term, such as 10 minutes or less versus something that may take 20 minutes or needs to be done uninterupted- those items I schedule into the day. The last set of items is prioritizing items that should get done but don't need to be done today- the more of them I get done during free time, the more time I save the next day. If I get way ahead of schedule (not to often) I consider down time or time to schedule something that is fun or may take time and be a good thing but something I wouldn't normally do on regular work day. I don't always write everything down in detail but I always notate on my large desk calendar so I can see the big picture at a glance- because time flies by I often set my phone with an alarm to remind me 30 minutes prior, that way it gives me 15 minutes to tie up what I was doing to get to the scheduled task
I'm the same with Outlook, I have to use that to keep up with must do and should do things. I prioritize by using colors with the appointments, so at a glance I can see if there's something really important coming up, then plan around it with the other stuff.
I take time at the end of the work day to review my objectives, resources, and materials needed for the next day's class.
I prioritize my goals and tasks by making a to do list and keeping a calendar. I try my best to complete these tasks in order of importance and deadlines. I try and set certain times for which I can meet with clients but it tends to get me off track when someone tries to reschedule or needs a late or lunch appointment.
I am currently using a system very similar to what is taught during this course. I prioritize goals by categorizing them by goal type. Critical goals are categorized as A representing the highest priority, enabling tasks are B priority representing tasks of medium value and nice-to-have are C priority which are tasks of little value. Then depending on what category the tasks fall in I schedule them to be completed by their importance level.
My Outlook calendar/ combined with a notepad helps me keep things prioritized. I have the notepad for the unexpected and Outlook for planned. I start my day by integrating the two depending on high to low priority. Its almost a daily juggling act....what takes priority one day, may fall into the Outlook calendar for further review in the future. Or vice versa.....
