How to Manage the Work Load of a Web-enhanced Class

Plan Accordingly:

    • Familiarize yourself with due dates;

    		each class has certain requirements that you must meet in order to complete the course;
    calendars are provided with daily, weekly, and monthly tasks;
    your class homepage also has notices of due dates;
    use both to help you keep track of assignments;
    just as you would attend class, attend to these tools.

    • Organize early:

    		set up a large ringed binder for course material;
    label each section accordingly;
    prioritize tasks;
    print out assignments as reminders;
    keep a copy of everything you send.

    • Work Offline:

    		download new messages, browse for new assignments, then log off;
    read through your email while off-line;
    messages can be read, created, replied to (to be sent later), printed mail and deleted while off-line.

    • The Unbearable Heaviness of Email:

    		read your email then attend to it right away--read it, print it, reply to it (if you need to), save what's important and then delete the rest--if you let it pile up, it can become too daunting to handle;
    later is too late; putting email off until later leads to feeling overwhelmed.

    Use Virtual Time:

    • Program Your Day:

    		plan to devote at least two hours a day for class work;
    tell friends and family that you are in class during that time;
    set up a "study" environment, with your books and utensils in easy reach;
    work ahead of schedule.

    • Program Your Head:

    		most students who fail web-enhanced classes, do so because they think they have 'tomorrow' to do the assignment;
    there is no tomorrow--there is only Now;
    reward yourself after you have completed an assignment;
    when not busy on a class assignment, have fun visiting other sites on the Web.

    • Be the Owner of Your Web-based Destiny:

    		if you don't understand an assignment, ask questions;
    your instructor checks her email many times during the day, so jot a note to her, but don't stop there;
    write a note to one of the other members of the class;
    if that still doesn't help, contact one of the online writing labs -- for writing questions at least;
    no-one but you knows what you understand, so you must be vocal;
    your success depends entirely upon you!

    Use Your Tools:

    • Learn Your Software Programs:

    		some great programs exist that help with email organization;
    if you are unsure of how a program works, find someone who knows it well;
    don't let the computer be more important than writing and reading;
    use the tutorial that comes with the program -- an hour learning it now could save you hours of frustration later;
    most email programs have address books -- use them so you don't have to type the same addresses over and over.

    • Learn Your Browser:

    		Netscape and Microsoft Explorer have built in mail programs;
    configure your browsers so that you can send mail from them;
    use Netscape and Explorer during non-peak times in the day, so that your work will go faster.

     

     

    Contents within this site are copyrighted by both the author of essays and/or Jan Strever.
    The contents within these pages are solely those of the author and S.C.C.
    should not be held responsible.  ©1999-2009
    Last revised: November 19, 2009 by Jan Strever -- jstrever@scc.spokane.edu
    Personal site:  http://www.js.spokane.wa.us/

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