Be the change you want to see in this world

"Winning starts in the mind. Whatever the mind can conceive, it will achieve."
-Joaquin Nangauta Naputi

"Be the change you want to see in the world."
-Mahatma Gandhi

Sunday, April 03, 2011

TESOL Convention Highlight #2: Time Management Strategies for English Language Teaching Professionals

Presented by Christine Coombe, Dubai Men’s College, Dubai, United Arab Emirates; and Justin Shewell, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona

Coombe focused on the importance of good time management strategies, tracking the use of time, scheduling and planning, and time savers.

The following are the time savers she stressed:

*Layer Activities – Multitask (Read or talk on the phone while exercising); Streamline your errands.

*Let go. Don’t be perfect. Do things just enough.

*Stock up. (With a well stocked kitchen or desk, last minute runs to the store will be minimized.)

*Limit interruptions.

*Use computers for routine, repeating lists: address/phone, passwords, family info.

*Use checklists to keep from forgetting things.

*Exercise (Essential for superior academic performance; Many say NO ‘time’ for exercise; Your brain won’t function well if you are tired.

*Floating Tasks (Things that can be done anywhere, anytime; Carry around a book you need to read, work to review, or a letter that you need to write.

*Survival (Self-sacrifice and denial are necessary at certain times; Scrap everything that’s not absolutely essential for survival.)

Shewell focused on improving time management through technology. He focused on organizing our lives with technology, technology time wasters, and technology time management methods.

He stressed the following:

*Make sure the technology you use “works” for you.

*Choose technology that is practical, portable, upgradeable, and dependable.

*Learn about ALL the features your technology provides and use them.

*Don’t let technology distract you from your goals and priorities.

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