Setting Up Your Online Teaching Space
Now that some students are logged in and happily functioning (hopefully); let's think about your online teaching patterns and routines. Just as you want students to settle into a routine of participating and engaging with your content, you may want to have some structure and schedule to your online teaching. If you set aside specific times for teaching online, you will feel less like it is taking all of your time and causing constant interruptions.
Daily Routine
First, set up a daily routine for yourself. Over time, as you get accustomed to teaching online, you should be able to take care of your course in under an hour daily, with the exception of your longer grading sessions.
- Login to your class to see if anything needs attention.
- Grade all the short answer assignments that have come in (you will receive email notifications).
- Check your email and send any tech issues to dlit@andrews.edu.
- Filter through your email and answer course related questions. Here are some options for managing course-related email:
- If you have students always include the course acronym in the subject line when emailing you, you can use the Email Filter.
- You can Create a Rule to have emails from specific students automatically move into a folder.
- Flag emails on course related questions to answer in batches daily..
- Bonus: More teacher tips for Outlook email here.
Fend Off Interruptions
Your colleagues and family probably wouldn't dream of interrupting you during a face-to-face class. However, it's highly likely they will while you are teaching online. Here are some tips for fending off interruptions:
- Make a sign for your office door: Do Not Disturb: I'm Teaching Online.
- Teach your colleagues and family that this time is off-limits except for major emergencies.
- Discipline yourself to do only online teaching work during this time. Ignore other emails.
Make a Space
Adjunct faculty in particular may wish to carve out a special space (as well as time) for teaching online. Maybe you'll have a favorite tea handy, a special mug, a comfy chair. Make the space friendly and inviting for yourself as well!