Tame the Teacher Request Tidal Wave: Google Tasks to the Instructional Coach's Rescue!
Let's face it: our inboxes can feel like a never-ending inbox. As instructional coaches, we juggle a million and one things, and it's easy to feel like we're constantly playing catch-up. Enter Google Tasks: our new best friend for staying organized and sane.
I'm not exaggerating when I say Google Tasks has been a game-changer for me.
As students flooded back into our buildings this year, so did the teacher requests. Emails, chats, hallway conversations – it was sensory overload! I felt like I was drowning in a sea of to-dos. Thankfully, there is the power of Google Tasks.
Why Google Tasks?
Price: Absolutely FREE!!!
Accessibility: Need to jot down a quick task? No problem! It's accessible on your computer and phone, so you can add tasks on the go.
Integration: The best part? It's integrated with Google Mail, Docs, and Drive. You can add tasks directly from emails or documents with just a few clicks. No more copying and pasting!
Flexibility: You can create multiple lists to organize your tasks. I have lists for everything from "Teacher Requests" to "Professional Development Planning."
Organization: Within your lists, you can create sections to further categorize your tasks. For example, in my "Teacher Requests" list, I have sections like "Brainstorm," "Create," "Communicate," "Print," and "Waiting."
Movable: Need to rearrange your tasks? No problem! You can easily drag and drop items within a list or move them to different lists.
Details: Add notes, due dates, and even links to your tasks for easy reference.
Subtasks: Break down larger tasks into smaller, more manageable subtasks. This can make complex projects feel less overwhelming.
Due Dates and Reminders: Set due dates and reminders for important tasks to stay on top of deadlines.
Google Calendar Integration: Connect Google Tasks to your Calendar to visualize your tasks alongside your schedule.
Pro Tips:
Create Multiple Lists: Break down your tasks into manageable categories.
Utilize Sections: Within your lists, create sections to further organize your tasks.
Leverage the Power of Drag and Drop: Move tasks around as needed to prioritize and stay on top of things.
Add Details: Include notes, due dates, and links for easy reference.
Review Regularly: Take a few minutes each day to review your task list and prioritize tasks.
Time Blocking: Assign specific time blocks to work on different tasks.
Task Batching: Group similar tasks together to improve efficiency.
I know what you're thinking: "One more thing to add to my plate?" Trust me, once you start using Google Tasks, you'll wonder how you ever managed without it. It's a simple tool that can make a huge difference in your productivity and peace of mind.
Give it a try and let me know what you think!
Have you used Google Tasks before? What are your favorite features?
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