Running outside has turned into a live-action game of Frogger, in which I dodge left, right, run down the middle of the street, and even backward to avoid the onslaught of neighbors out for exercise. Seeing so many people taking advantage of our beautiful weather is so positive. Still, it makes sticking to the six-feet-apart rule difficult and a little dangerous when oncoming traffic makes its way down the street. The friendly faces I have waved at from a safe and healthy distance show that we are all making the best of the shelter-in-place order as a community.
Managing workflow has been an equally challenging process. Unlike the original 1981 arcade game, there is no pattern to the emails, texts, and notifications that appear on one of my screens. Creating a system for balancing engagement with students, providing support to teachers, and connecting with my own three young children is hectic, but there is beauty in the bustle.
How does one level-up on workflow? Establishing a routine, understanding what obstacles may come into view, and taking the note from Frogger to find metaphoric embankment on which to rest are crucial to this process. Above all, prioritizing relationships, whether that be a quick text with a friend, a video message to students, or playtime with the kids, is essential. Still, there are some ways to earn bonus points in the work-life harmony (or discord) happening in our house.
1. Create to-do lists or checklists.
According to The Checklist Manifesto author, Atul Gawande, an effective checklist provides reminders of important procedures and tasks. They are practical. We are receiving notifications on so many platforms right now, and a to-do list or checklist can remind us to complete essential tasks, reinforce routine, and allow us to accomplish goals (minuscule or substantial). As noted by the Business Insider, the act of writing a to-do list at night for the next day alleviates morning stress, allows time to prioritize tasks, and encourages goal-setting (and completion). For me, I love writing, and a majority of my time is spent typing on a computer. The act of physically writing out goals and tasks with a quality pen is relaxing and reinvigorating. While I am often deemed to be a “techie person,” creating and keeping a low-tech paper copy of my to-do list allows me to organize all of the tasks and people I need to communicate with on a given day into one location, which enhances my productivity and my ability to engage with others. And there’s something to be said about the joy crossing off a to-list item can bring.
2. Take breaks.
Working at home comes with countless distractions. Accomplishing tasks can feel nearly impossible, especially with a full house of people. I am blessed with a five, four, and two-year-olds who bring great joy to my life but also quickly become restless. Taking movement breaks is healthy for them and healthy for me! I live near a half-mile loop that is a perfect distance for a quick walk with a little one. As noted by researchers at Boston University, resetting for 10-15 minutes improves productivity and one's ability to focus. While this study focuses on elementary-aged children, we all can benefit from the message - when movement becomes part of the routine, the benefits become exponential.
3. Establish a routine.
Nothing about this global pandemic is normal. How people feel, how they are coping, and how they are staying busy differs from one household to the next. I have seen a statement saying that "Yes, we are all in the same boat, but we are fighting different storms." We all have different work situations, family dynamics, and health concerns. Still, establishing a routine can help increase productivity and one's ability to cope with the present situation. Do events occur to throw our routines off? Absolutely! Being flexible and being in the moment are important, too, but an established schedule can bring comfort, motivate, and even help pass the time. Routines encourage us to form habits. Charles Duhigg writes in The Power of Habit that by creating a routine and a reward for that routine (my reward is crossing items off my to-do list), we can establish powerful habits that lead to increased success and a sense of accomplishment. So, if there was ever a time to make a habit of exercising, eating home-cooked meals, or reading a book from the list of books you've always told yourself you were going to read, now would be the time!
4. Automate when possible.
Technology can save us time. Using tech tools that provide automatic feedback can allow us to be timely with our delivery of instruction and feedback, which motivates our students to continue to engage. The use of Google Forms automatic grading and customizable feedback can be used to help students assess themselves and provide instructors with useful data. Google Forms free-response questions can also be used to evaluate the social and emotional well-being of students. Kahoot, Quizziz, and GimKit can gamify reviewing major concepts and even entertain students while they demonstrate mastery of a skill or concept, while tools like Padlet provide spaces for students to post a myriad of artifacts and see what other students are posting. Students can even comment on each others’ posts, which places the responsibility of providing feedback on the class’s shoulders and not just the teachers. Flipgrid is another great tool that creates a sense of face-to-face communication, and the feedback does not have to be from just a teacher. Everyone can participate in responding to each other’s questions and interacting with each other.
I have been trying to find ways to personalize my feedback to students while saving time. Emailing each individual student is a time-consuming process, but I believe reaching out on this platform shows a more personal level of care. I have tried to send a personal email once a week, and in looking to save time, I created a template. I made a message generic and relevant to all of my students who are all seniors in high school, and then I left a spot in which I could write more personal messages to each student. Using my daily attendance feedback, I tried to craft a few sentences that made each email personal to each student. While I cannot do this every day, every effort makes a difference!
Maximizing the functionality of these tools and many like it can keep the engagement a little higher and allow teachers to be creative in how and when feedback is given to students. Automation does not have to be impersonal and can keep students engaged!
5. Give yourself grace.
Finally, give yourself grace, give your students grace, and give your family grace. We are all experiencing and grieving so much right now. Processing the state of the world looks different for each person and different from day-to-day. Remembering that we are on this journey together can bring comfort. Allowing yourself to close down the computer and get outside when needed only makes you stronger for the next moment or the next experience. If the internet connection slows, you can respond to an email later. If a lesson flops, create another one for the next day of work. If only one student responds, know that you made a world of difference in that student’s life (and there are probably at least ten more that saw your message and appreciate it). We are in a profession that often does not see the fruits of our labor. This sentiment may ring true even more in remote learning. Remember that whatever you are able to give, provide, and communicate is enough.
Somehow the game of Frogger has survived through four decades of iterations, and people still seem to want to play it. As I prepare to brave the cold on this day of non-attendance and play my own real-life game of Frogger in the streets, I am reminded that managing my workflow may be a little easier on some days than others. There will always be another email to respond to or an assignment to grade, and for that, I am grateful.
