TIME MANAGEMENT: NEGOTIATING THE ONLINE ENVIRONMENT Karen Cobb Carroll NC Virtual Public School May 13, pmEDT COPYRIGHT 2011

Teacher Time Management Student Time Management

Teacher Time Management a.Understanding time b.Being proactive, not reactive

What is time? Time is a measurement system that we use to sequence and explain the relationship of events. We cannot manage time itself; we can only manage how we use it!

How Do YOU Spend your Time? In order to manage your use of time more wisely you must know how you currently manage your time use. POLL QUESTION 1 I OWN A PLANNER (hard copy or electronic) AND USE IT A.DAILY B.WEEKLY C.MONTHLY D.RARELY E.WHATS A PLANNER?

One does not use a planner to become organized, but organized people use a planner. A planner is a tool used to maintain organization and manage time. Want to practice? A planner page template: Being organized is a way of thinking. It is a diet of the mindK.Carroll

"Our days are identical suitcases--all the same size--but some people pack more into them than others" (R Boorstin) POLL QUESTION 2 I FEEL THAT I HAVE A.TIME TO DO ALL THE IMPORTANT THINGS B.TIME TO DO MOST OF THE IMPORTANT THINGS C.TIME TO DO SOME OF THE IMPORTANT THINGS D.TIME TO THINK ABOUT DOING IMPORTANT THINGS E.TIME TO PANIC ABOUT WHAT IM NOT GETTING DONE

1.Theres too much to do: I cant do all this! 2.I can do this later! 3.Im too busy to do this right now 4.This isnt important enough to do right now 5.Rescheduling is just putting off the inevitable 6.Ill do it tomorrow (The Scarlett OHara effect) 7.Others? Time Thoughts

From Covey, 7 Habits Time is like money; you can spend it anyway you like, But you can only spend it once. --unk

DISTRACTIONS a.CANT (I cant prioritize) b.HARD (Managing time use takes focused work) c.PERFECTION (stuff will happen!) d.NO (I cant say no) We must use time as a tool, not as a crutch.J.Kennedy Managing time use is a process, a way of thinking.

Online teachers have an opportunity to model effective use of time, being proactive, not reactive. Possible ways--- a.Responding promptly to student/parent/school inquiries b.Grading assignments in a timely manner c.Always having assignments ready d.Anticipating student concerns e.Submitting all reports on time f.Distinguishing between urgent/important and not so much g.Be Proactive, not reactive h.Other ways?

Student Time Management

Challenges of Online Student Time Use Management a.Other courses b.Lack of technology c.Scheduling d.Distractions e.PROCRASTINATION

EVERYONE PROCRASTINATES!

You may delay, but time will not. ~Benjamin Franklin Procrastination is opportunity's assassin. ~Victor Kiam If you want to make an easy job seem mighty hard, just keep putting off doing it. ~Olin Miller Nothing is so fatiguing as the eternal hanging on of an uncompleted task. ~William James Procrastination is the thief of time. ~Edward Young

Ways to help your students manage procrastination in your online environment a.Advocate for an environment conducive to online work a.Does your student take your course at home? b.Does your student have a structured time each day to work? c.Does your student have the technology infrastructure needed? d.Does your student have a sufficient support structure? But realize that some circumstances you cannot control

Todays Date Today I worked on assignment (s) What I did today The first thing I will do tomorrow is… STUDENT DAILY TASK LOG Make the log available in your course. Have students print the log and complete it daily OR save and complete it online. Have students submit the log regularly to the site advisor or online teacher. b. Provide a way for students to map their online progress.

c. Communicate often and regularly with your student, keeping your course on the students mental front burner.

d. Other Ideas Identify students who submit work on time and completely (weekly honor role, etc.) Make great work communications to parents Send weekly updates to onsite advisors and parents to keep everyone updated on assignment due dates Encourage student groupsaccountability partners to hold each other accountable

COMMENTS & QUESTIONS Karen Cobb Carroll, Ph.D., NBCT North Carolina Virtual Public School