Build a Timetable for Teaching Online
The higher education environment has shifted in recent years, most obviously in the last year. Physical distancing only accelerated the digital trend that has been growing in recent years. Online courses have changed not only how students learn, but also how instructors and administrators organize classes. As a result, tailored schedules are extremely important. They help create boundaries, establish expectations, and engage students, resulting in success for instructors, students, and administrators.
An online class is an entirely different environment than the physical classroom. It isn’t always easy to build timetables that are better suited to online learning. But by letting go of expectations of teaching online at the same pace and in the same style as in-person, instructors will be better able to ensure that the same learning goals are met. By taking time to outline a new, online-specific timetable, and encouraging students to do the same, instructors and administrators will help themselves and their students find joy and success in the semester.
How to build your timetable for online teaching
When teaching from home, you no longer have built-in breaks like walking between classrooms and your office or stepping out for a coffee or lunch. Nor do you have a physical office door to open and close to indicate your need for focused, uninterrupted time. By building your own remote teaching schedule, you won’t miss out on the benefits of breaks and uninterrupted work hours while at home.
When creating your personal timetable, identify the importance and frequency of tasks. This will help you decide if you allot weekly or daily time for their completion. Online teaching schedules commonly include:
- Teaching. It may seem obvious to schedule your lecture periods in your calendar. But particularly when recording asynchronous classes, defining the time you want to spend getting the lecture just right will help you refrain from rerecording and rerecording, or getting too excited and extending a 20-minute segment into 35 minutes.
- Phone calls and emails. No one needs convincing that responding to emails and making calls occupy a greater portion of our days than we may wish. Schedule yourself ample time to stay on top of student, colleague, and other professional requests. But hold yourself to that timeslot to avoid the day slipping away.
- Marking. Your marking methods may have shifted as your course evolved to virtual delivery. Perhaps you’ve adopted more formative assessments or are providing feedback in new ways (like video or audio). However, you’ve changed your assessment practice, schedule it in to avoid feeling overwhelmed during the high-needs periods of the semester.
- Office hours. Making time for students is essential to boost student engagement and learning success. Scheduling both office hours and time for last minute appointment requests will ensure you’re prepared to help students whenever they need it.
- Learning. Teaching online is new to many, so it’s helpful to devote an hour every week or two to learn a new technical skill that can make the process easier and more effective. Perhaps you may dive into the capabilities of Zoom or your learning management system or read what is latest on educational technology.
- Research and projects. With the changed demands of online learning, it can be easy to get lost in daily tasks or learning new technologies and skills. Scheduling time for your work will ensure you remain engaged with your own professional goals, keeping you satisfied and motivated.
- Breaks. Recent years have seen a wealth of advocacy for taking breaks, and for good reason. Cognitive tasks like teaching, writing, and researching take a lot of energy. Mental, physical, and nutritional breaks are essential to keep you energized, healthy, and productive.
Creating a perfect schedule is only as good as your ability to follow it. Remain flexible to respond to needs that arise. However, try not to let yourself work longer than a normal workday. Spending time away from a computer screen and with your loved ones (be that family, roommates, and/or pets!) is essential to prevent burnout.
How to help students build their own timetable
As an instructor or administrator, you also have influence on students’ lives, not only their academic pursuits. You can’t make students follow a timetable, but you can help them build their own. Be clear about your course’s needs and your expectations, and learners will structure their time, finding their own version of a balanced life as an online student.
- Send reminder emails. Send all-class emails or announcements on your learning management system to remind students about upcoming deadlines, class details, and any other specifics that will help students participate to the best of their ability.
- Clarify at the start of the class. Be direct about estimated time expectations for assignments, readings, asynchronous lectures, synchronous lectures, and any other class requirements at the start of the semester. You may want to end your classes with a quick note about the expected workload for the next week to help students plan ahead. This will encourage completion of readings and class prep work, boosting student engagement.
- Encourage balance. Be an advocate for mental health, spending time with family and friends, and taking time for hobbies. Happier students are more likely to be more successful learners.
Schedules are great ways to manage the stress and uncertainty of the world. It may seem like extra work now, but the truth is that taking the time to create a personal timetable and encourage students to make their own will make your semester — and your students’ — less stressful.
