As an online tutor, you know the challenges of keeping students on track in a cohort-based learning environment. Many students struggle to balance many responsibilities, such as jobs, families, and other classes. One of the most important methods of resolving these learners' challenges is time management. This time management strategy has the potential to make or break your course's success. Without appropriate time management, students risk falling behind, becoming overwhelmed, and ultimately losing motivation. This is where your role as a guide comes into play: helping students manage their time properly so that they can stay on track.
In this article, we'll look at why time management is critical for cohort-based learning, the common time-management difficulties that online instructors and students experience, and practical techniques for helping your students succeed.
The Importance of Time Management in Cohort-Based Learning
Unlike self-paced courses, students move through the course together in cohort-based learning. There they often set deadlines, group work, and structured timelines that keep everyone on track. This can be both a blessing and a challenge. While it helps maintain accountability, it also demands discipline and good time management from students.
According to research by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), students who follow effective time management skills are 43% more likely to complete their online courses successfully.
1. Incorporating Time Management Tools.
Most students don't know about the latest technology which can help us with time management. Introduce the latest tools and resources to help them manage their schedules and stay on top of deadlines. According to the research students who use time management tools are 35% more productive in their studies.
Tools to Recommend:
- Trello or Asana: This is used to track assignments and group projects.
- Google Calendar: To schedule study sessions and receive deadline reminders.
- Pomodoro Timer: A tool to help students focus on tasks by breaking study time into 25-minute intervals with short breaks.
2. Encouraging Regular Check-Ins
Even in cohort-based learning, Students often need support to stay on track due to a Lack of accountability, especially if they’re balancing work, family, and studies. Regular check-ins can provide the motivation and accountability they need to stick to their schedules.
Set up weekly once or twice check-ins with students through your LMS. Use these sessions to discuss their progress, challenges, and any adjustments they need to make to their schedules. You can do this through individual feedback sessions or group discussions.
3. Balancing Flexibility with Structure
Life can get in the way, and strict deadlines may discourage students. While cohort-based learning follows a structured timeline, it’s important to offer some flexibility, especially for students dealing with unpredictable schedules. Allow for flexibility within certain deadlines to accommodate their needs without compromising the structure of the course.
Offer flexible submission windows or allow students to request extensions in advance. You can also record live sessions for students who can’t attend in real-time due to time zone differences or personal obligations.
4. Breaking Down Large Tasks into Manageable Chunks
Students often feel daunted by large projects and struggle with where to start. It tends to procrastinate when faced with large, complex assignments. Breaking down these tasks into smaller, manageable steps can help students avoid feeling overwhelmed and make consistent progress.
For example, if you’re teaching a Data Science course, don’t just assign a major project due in two weeks. Instead, break it into smaller tasks—research, data collection, model building, and final report writing. Set deadlines for each of these steps to ensure students are making progress throughout the course.
Tip: Use your LMS to set up automatic checkpoints where students must submit portions of their work.
5. Setting Clear Expectations from Day One
Students often feel overwhelmed when they don’t have clear vision of their course. As a tutor, it's essential to set clear expectations for your students right from the start. Outline the course schedule, important deadlines, and weekly time commitments during your onboarding session. This will give students a clear picture of what’s required and help them plan accordingly. By providing a clear roadmap, you reduce uncertainty and help them plan their time effectively.
Use your Learning Management System (LMS) to create a course calendar with deadlines and milestones. Share this with students on the first day and provide regular reminders through automated notifications.
Conclusion: Time Management is Key to Cohort Success
Time management is more than just meeting deadlines; it's about helping students be organized, engaged, and motivated throughout their educational journey. As an online tutor, you will play an important role in assisting them through this process. Setting clear objectives, breaking down activities, using time management tools, and providing support through regular check-ins and peer accountability can all help your students succeed in their cohort-based learning journeys.
Remember that your job is not only to teach the information but also to help your students manage their time properly so that they can achieve their maximum potential. Implementing these tactics will result in a more organised and engaged learning environment, with greater course completion rates and more satisfied students.
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