In assessing and prioritizing a situation to determine how you are going to manage your time, there are clearly a lot of unknowns for the first time onlilne teacher, particularly if they are going to be expected to create, test and provide technical support for content they created and then administer the class as well, versus an online teacher that is only administering an established course or program and not having to do all of those additional tasks up front to establish and create the class, the content, etc. I'm sure a lot of online teacher workload depends on how deep an organization's pockets are, and how much they can reasonably (or unreasonably) expect from online teachers in today's national education environment. Since many high schools and colleges only offer non-tenure positions on a contract basis (no job security, no medical benefits, no paid sick time, good odds that they are not going to be renewed, etc.) the question really becomes how much daily / weekly time and effort is someone willing to do in order to get (and keep) a teaching job? If the workload expectation from management is completely unreasonable, no amount of time management is going to save you.
I would say that the bottom line for all of this is continuing education for the instructor. Stay abreast of all the updated technology so that it will work for you, instead of hinder you.
I had not considered the idea that "helping students understand the time management process in turn helps the online instructor." This occurs by allowing the instructor to focus more on helping students with result of learning versus the process of learning.
Workload management is very important for the student and the instructor. There are several components that must be thought about inorder to properly expidit instruction. The instructor must be able to analyze, communicate, collaborate and cooperate with team members and manage time.
Instructor support to avoid overload is imperative.
You have to be organized. Set a schedule. Set certain times for working on and completing certain tasks. Turn your notifications off. That way you can go to tasks on your time instead of them coming to you.
organization is key to be successful
Due to the amount of factors that can increase workload for an online course teacher, a WLMS is crucial. A well rounded WLMS should include utilizing technology, applying teaching techniques as appropriate, facilitation of learning, ensuring the quality of the course, and implementing ethicality into the learning environment.
The instructor and students need to be organized and have technology support to successful in an online environment.
Workload management is very important stages of developing an online course but especially when initially developing the learning environment. Considerations include time management, LMS support and technical support. Resources can come from personal experience, colleagues and the insitution. A well-designed learning environment helps make the online class sucessful.
Prioritization and organization should be top priority for instructors. Being able to provide prompt feedback and working without distractions will ensure students get adequate learning.
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.
