‌

April 17, 2020
Online Teaching Strategies & Tools 12
'Tips for Working Remotely From Home - With or Without Kids'
'Tips for Working Remotely From Home — With or Without Kids'

With much of the globe’s workforce working from home unexpectedly, it’s no wonder everyone is Googling tips for working remotely. Even if working from home feels challenging, it does have its benefits. One study found remote workers are more productive when doing so from home. That same study found remote workers felt their work-life balance was a bit out-of-whack. You may be feeling the same way right about now.

Luckily, there are plenty of ways to be productive and shut your work down at the end of the day — even if your office is less than 20 feet from your couch. It’s all about scheduling, nailing your most productive time periods, and getting a bit creative. And, given current projections that 25-30% of the workforce will be working from home one to two days per week in the next few years, it’s time to start getting comfortable with the idea.

Whether you’re working alone or working from home with kids, here’s a list of tips on how to create a productive work day:

Keep a Schedule
Now that you’re working from home, you’re in charge of your day. It’s important to keep a schedule and keep hours like you would in your office setting. That means getting out of your bed, getting dressed, and acting like you’re at work — even if it doesn’t feel normal.
A few ways to maintain some semblance of a schedule:
  • Show up - Set an alarm and get out of your PJs. You obviously don’t have to wear a suit and tie, but getting dressed keeps a sense of normalcy. Do this for the kids as well, if you have any.
  • Make your bed - It seems silly, but it’s a great way to start your day with a sense of accomplishment. With so many unknowns right now, it’s also a way to feel like you have control over a certain part of your life.
  • Set boundaries - If possible, claim specific hours that you’re working. Let your kids/spouse/roommate who know your office or workspace is off-limits during this time.
  • Time yourself - See how long you actually need throughout the day for specific tasks. A free time tracker like Toggl is a great way to do this. 

Creating a schedule and sticking to it will help you carve out the most productive work hours — even if you’re doing it from the comfort of your own couch.

To continue reading this article, please click here


Campus Chats - The MSU Version of TedTalks
I shared this in last Friday's newsletter and wanted to share again. Take a look at Dr. Bernadette Barton's video and share your video with Jami.

Dr. Bernadette Barton Campus Chat

COMA is requesting that your video be no more than five (5) minutes in length. Your videos can be simply shot on a webcam or phone. COMA wants to provide videos across interests and audiences and showcase as many departments as possible.

You can upload you video to OneDrive and share the link with Jami - [email protected]


What I Love about Teaching
Here is Dr. Lola Aagaard's response to the question "What I love about teaching?"

A list in no particular order after #1.
  1. Seeing the light in students' eyes when they get it!
  2. Including life lessons in class, as well as the actual course content
  3. Being as proud as their parents when I see my current and former students performing outside the classroom (music, drama, dance, athletics)
  4. Getting the chance to tell the same stories over and over again to new audiences!
  5. Watching students develop their identities over four years of college
  6. Getting the same vacation breaks as the students in the winter and summer
  7. Hearing from students how course content has made them understand their life experience differently
  8. Keeping up with research and current events in order to incorporate them into the course - I'm always learning something new!
  9. Getting to show snippets of my home movies as illustrations of course concepts
  10. Introducing students to new ideas and new ways of thinking about old ideas

– by Lola Aagard, FGSE, Morehead State University

Click the link below to share your response:


Friday Song of the Day
Have you been getting your students' SOTD's?
Here's how you do it: In the Blackboard course select "Create Thread" then select the drop down arrow next to "Mashups", select "Youtube" and then type in the name of he song/artist, then select the video for your song choice.

Here is my SOTD. Today is old school Funk!

I would love to hear your SOTD. Send me an email with your choice [email protected]


Let me know how you are doing. I'm a good sounding board!
Let's continue to communicate

Daryl
Featured Magna Webinar
The Magna 20-Minute Webinar is a valuable tool and I want to encourage you to take full advantage. Here's the accessing information:

Accessing Webinars:

These licensed Magna resources are available through a password-protected website. For access, faculty need to:
  • Log into MSU’s employee portal;
  • Look under the My Classes (Blackboard) section for the Magna Training Site;
  • If Magna isn't showing up in your list of courses, please send a request to be added to [email protected].
  • When you click on the Magna Training Site, the Blackboard shell will open. Select Magna Campus and then launch the LTI link select 20-Minute Mentor Commons. After selecting 20-Minute Mentor Commons, choose Teaching Online then Online Course Management. Choose the featured title.
Faculty Center for Teaching & Learning (FCTL)
Morehead State University