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August 10, 2010, 11:00 AM ET
Creating a Checklist for the Semester
How are you preparing for the upcoming fall semster?
Here's my checklist that I'm hoping to knock out before classes begin in two and a half weeks.
You'll notice that this list references several previous posts on ProfHacker.
- Create a binder or a file folder to corral paper items that come up for each course. Usually at the end of the semester I digitize these, but it's helpful to have a place to pull them all together before archiving.
- Set up computer file folders for each course. This fall, I'm using tips from Natalie's ProfHacker post on Organizing Your Teaching Materials.
- Set up my course management system (CMS) for each course I'm teaching (and have a backup plan in mind in case it ever goes down).
- Post the syllabus to each course in its CMS listing.
- Post various surveys in my CMS. I do a getting-to-know you type survey, as well as the CLASS (Colorado Learning Attitudes about Science Survey) instrument at the beginning and of the semester to measure changes in my students', well, attitudes about science.
- Post my midterm teaching evaluation survey, which will go live at midterm. Why not get that out of the way now?
- Give my office a good cleaning: wipe down surfaces, straighten bookshelves, etc.
- Put important academic year dates in my calendar (holidays, breaks, due dates for grades, etc.)
- Plug any holes from summer research and get it in a condition where I can pick it up again easily when the semester hits its stride.
- Take a look through my work wardrobe and replace anything that obviously needs it.
- Stock up on office snacks and supplies.
How about you? What items are on your to-do list to start off this semester right?
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Comments
1. rosmerta - August 11, 2010 at 09:58 am
The to-do list I created Aug. 4 filled an entire 8.5" x 11" page so I doubt I'll get to all of it:
- Buy white noise generator
- Create library handouts for new students, collate, and send to Academic Affairs for mailing
- Check staff's weeded books to see whether they should be re-shelved or de-accessioned
- Make up the fall desk coverage/library hours calendar
- Compose "welcome back" email to faculty/staff with info on new databases, new password, etc.
- Do walk-through of library to see what needs fixing/replacing
- Plan orientation program for transfer students
- Order new movies for Leisure Collection
- Order K-12 curriculum textbooks for our Education students
- Process journal invoices
- Clean out email
- Clean out, on top, under, and around desk (love my prepositions)
2. oh_richard - August 11, 2010 at 10:26 am
I've been prepping over my break, so it's not quite a back to school list, but
- email my fall students about class texts
- submit my reserve readings
- make, print, and post over my desk (just above the monitor) my semester goals
- pick and post office hours
- review the new school dissertation manual
- review my list of advisees to check up on and follow this semester...
This is also a good time to
- decide upon and set up a good email management strategy before your inbox gets too full
- decide upon and set up a calendar management strategy (if you will use google, tungle, etc...)
- finish up any home projects you started over break so they are completed before the semster starts
- plan some "date night" time with your significant other before the semester gets underway and too busy
- wrap up last semster's business (left over student papers to return, recycle duplicate handouts and readings and such, review and file course feedback and your "Next time..." notes...)
3. heatherwhitney - August 11, 2010 at 10:55 am
@oh_richard excellent point about finishing up home projects and planning time with loved ones. Very important!
4. crankycat - August 11, 2010 at 12:29 pm
Update syllabus.
Get class list from online system.
Rework welcome email/first assignment for students.
Meet with co-instructors about new ideas for the year.
Program all known class times, meetings, travel days into calendar software.
Choose a weekly schedule for hard-wired research/writing time and plug that in, too.
Clean up the flash drive I use to transport class presentations.
Test the audiovisual set ups for changes/problems/software needs before I have to use them.
5. missoularedhead - August 11, 2010 at 04:57 pm
ascertain that I still have two courses this semester.
post all readings and assignments to Blackboard.
create and post map quizzes and schedule them to open on certain days at certain times.
send out welcome email next Monday.
finish dissertation!
6. eileenqueen - August 12, 2010 at 01:02 am
I love that you include office snacks.
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