Tips for Effective Online Course Time Management:

• Create a work plan: As mentioned earlier in this tutorial, a very effective time management strategy is creating a work plan. Figure out how many hours a week you will need to spend on your course work and then decide when you will complete those hours. When creating a work plan it may be helpful to:
  • Work at the same time every day (or week) so that your family and colleagues clearly know when you are in "course mode."
  • Use a calendar or PDA and block your coursework time so that it cannot be scheduled over (at least without your prior knowledge).
    
    
• Talk with you team about your work plan: It can also be helpful to share your schedule with your team so you know when each other are available for collaboration. You might even consider aligning your work times if possible if it contributes to your shared course goals.
  
  
• Be a good team "Time Manager" and support others: Teams are structured so that the team management responsibilities switch each week. During your course you will be a Time Manager for your team at least once. Take that responsibility seriously as it helps to keep your team as a group, and your teammates individually working efficiently. Also, when you are not the time manager be sure to support the member of your team that is. Modeling effective cooperative strategies is a great way to encourage high performance teaming.
  
  
• Schedule and take breaks: Downtime is just as important as work time. You are more productive if you regularly relax and have fun. The goal is a healthy balance, not burn out.
  
  
• Rely on your Team: If you are feeling overwhelmed by coursework, talk it out with you team. Many students find great solutions to streamlining work through collaboration.
  
  
• Ask for help if you need it: If you are having difficulties managing the course load and your time, please let your facilitator know. Facilitators can offer useful suggestions to modify how you work and may even make changes to the course based upon your feedback. So when you need assistance, ask! You may not only be helping yourself, but others as well.