Faculty Time Management Strategies

Teaching online and the multitude of tasks to complete can feel overwhelming at times, but with some smart strategies, you can better manage your workload while still delivering a high-quality learning experience. From scheduling focused work periods to reducing student questions and streamlining grading, there are many ways to make the most of your time. Here are some practical tips to help you stay on top of your online course while maintaining a balance.

Manage Time Spent Online

• Block out specific times to work: Set dedicated hours for course tasks and checking emails. Establish a routine that includes buffer time for unexpected tasks.
• Monitor the course daily: Check in every day, but for short periods, to stay updated without feeling overwhelmed.
• Work in small chunks: Break up your work into shorter, manageable time slots.
• Provide feedback using audio or video: This can be quicker than typing and feels more personal for students.
• Let students lead discussions: Assign students or teams to moderate discussion forums each week to share the load.
• Set realistic expectations: Avoid overcommitting and let students know your availability.
• Eliminate distractions: Turn off email notifications and mute your phone during focused work time.
• Be decisive with emails: When checking your inbox, immediately sort emails—file, delete, respond, or place in a pending folder.

Reduce Time Online 

• Use a Q&A forum: Create an “Ask the Professor” or general Q&A forum to handle common questions and reduce repetitive emails.
• Summarize discussions: At the end of each week, post a quick summary to wrap up key points.
• Keep a teaching journal: Note feedback and assignment tips. Every student should receive personalized feedback on graded work, however, you can standardize the resources students may require.
• Set expectations early: Clearly communicate course rules and guidelines early on to minimize confusion later.

Reduce Student Questions

• Reinforce ground rules: Use announcements to remind students of expectations.
• Provide clear instructions: Make sure students have all the information they need to avoid unnecessary questions.
• Establish clear deadlines using calendar: Create firm deadlines and make use of the course calendar to keep students on track.
• Set communication expectations: Let students know when they can expect feedback or responses from you.
• Create an FAQ list: Start collecting frequently asked questions to address common concerns.

Grading Time Savers

• Avoid over-correcting: Don’t spend too much time marking careless work or minor grammar issues—especially in drafts. Tell students to look for similar mistakes after you have pointed it out once.
• Focus on teachable moments: Prioritize meaningful feedback that helps students learn, rather than correcting every error.
• Require organized submissions: Set standards for file naming and structure to make reviewing work easier.
• Incorporate peer reviews: Let students review each other’s work to save time while encouraging collaborative learning.
• Use rubrics: A well-designed rubric can speed up grading and ensure consistency.
• Give feedback during live sessions: Offer feedback on drafts during synchronous sessions or phone calls to save time and clarify points in real-time.

Adapted from these web sites:

• • 10 Time Management Techniques for Academics Scribendi

• • The faculty series: Top 10 tips on managing your time as a PI
    NatureJobs Blog

• • Tips for Time Management
    Center for Teaching Excellence, Univ. of South Carolina