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mj_romo
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« on: June 04, 2009, 12:43:19 PM » |
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This may be different depending on disciplines, but as a comp instructor, I always have ample papers floating around. Mostly, they sit in stacks on my dining room table as I process them. I try to get things in and out with regular frequency, but there is always "extra" sitting around - assignment sheets, worksheets, and papers that are not picked up by students.
We have a small 2-bedroom home and no place for an "office area" that is out of the public view or the major living space. This frustrates and irritates my husband no end, to the point where he has threatened to just chuck everything. (Much as that would delight me, doing such would surely lead to the one time I get ample "grade challenges" and need all of that stuff.)
When you work from home, where do you work and how do you store all of that extra stuff?
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daurousseau
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« Reply #1 on: June 04, 2009, 12:46:24 PM » |
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Work from home?
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balancing_act
Irritable, cranky, and non-smoking
Distinguished Senior Member
Posts: 2,034
I come to the Fora to learn snark.
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« Reply #2 on: June 04, 2009, 01:04:14 PM » |
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It sounds like you don't have a campus office either. Is there any place in your home where you could put a small bookshelf, or some other small, pleasant-looking organizational station?
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"Which of these stories will you be talking about tomorrow?"
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malcha
Creepy Lit Critter, Undead Language Lover,
Distinguished Senior Member
Posts: 7,474
posting live from her FCFU
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« Reply #3 on: June 04, 2009, 01:10:05 PM » |
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If it is stuff that you want to have in case of grade disputes but are not actively working with, file cabinet in the garage, if there is a garage?
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wanna_writemore
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« Reply #4 on: June 04, 2009, 02:13:27 PM » |
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How about a file box with a lid? Some are about the size of a file cabinet drawer, but they're more mobile and not too expensive.
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marigolds
looks far too young to be a
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Posts: 7,355
i had fun once and it was awful
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« Reply #5 on: June 04, 2009, 05:27:57 PM » |
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If space is really tight, I've seen things that are ottomans (to be used as a coffee table or footrest) that have the top life off to reveal a space for hanging files below. Voila!
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"You and your mom are hillbillies. This is a house of learned doctors."
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bookishone
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« Reply #6 on: June 04, 2009, 06:07:40 PM » |
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If you have tall ceilings, I've seen hanging-down-from-the-ceiling shelves that you can install in your closets or garage (if you have one) for stuff you don't use often. Makes use of that wasted space, and it's out of the way.
If you mean for stuff that's actively in use, perhaps one of those rolling plastic file boxes with a telescoping handle? Roll it out to use it, then roll it away when you're done grading?
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My tag line is false.
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academic_cog
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« Reply #7 on: June 05, 2009, 12:32:02 AM » |
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Well I want these: http://www.roomitup.com/Collections_3/Collapsible-Storage-Cubes_5one pattern for each class; that way I can just dump everything related to that class in the box and pick stuff out as I need it. (And if I really admit my organizational-geekiness I want to coordinate each accordion file that I take into the classroom to its matching box. Maybe each different class gets its own color.) Right now I have piles, and I file away crap from the completed courses in my filng cabinet. Ok, truthfully I have a big stack _next to_ the filing cabinet from the end of last quarter that is ready to get filed. Maybe I will file it all when I finish up with this quarter's piles... |
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zuzu_
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« Reply #8 on: June 05, 2009, 12:07:07 PM » |
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A key component in my organizational method (both at home and in my office) is a drawer or bin for the stuff-that-I-probably-won't-ever-need-or-use-but-can't-throw-out-just-in-case pile.
You can quickly sort through this pile every 6-12 months, at which point you will likely be able to chuck most of it.
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minidonut
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« Reply #9 on: June 06, 2009, 06:40:20 PM » |
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I only use/keep hard copies unless it is absolutely necessary. Everything else is either .doc or .pdf. Students have to turn in their assignments electronically (often via turnitin.com), and my comments are transmitted electronically.
I keep all my files on my laptop for one year, with two additional backups. After a year, they are archived.
After having moved five times in five years, I promised myself that I would put a moratorium on any and all paper coming into my home/life. I've been fairly good at sticking to this.
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new_bus_prof
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« Reply #10 on: June 06, 2009, 07:52:02 PM » |
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I use a banker's box for each class. I keep last semester boxes into the next semester, up to the grade appeal deadline. I just stack them wherever my SO lets me. I tend to use the hall closet, mudroom, or pantry. I hate keeping them in my home office, so that a no-go. Once passed the grade appeal deadline, the storage box is given to the departmental secretary to store off-site or to the confidential recycle bin. University policy dictates where it goes.
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square
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« Reply #11 on: June 17, 2009, 11:56:29 PM » |
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You could organize into one of those giant file folders or binders with plastic sheets and make an effort every week or two weeks to file the papers left around. And you could set a policy that every year or two years, the papers will get chucked. Maybe move toward electronic copies - scan things in or use Excel for grading.
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