Time Management for Students - Assignment Example

WRITTEN TRAINING MODULE FOR TIME MANAGEMENT FOR Written by Presented to [teacher’s In partial fulfillment of the requirements of [program name] [date] WRITTEN TRAINING MODULE FOR TIME MANAGEMENT FOR STUDENTS SECTION I CONTEXT AND CONTENT TOPICS FOR TRAINING WORKSHOP: TIME MANAGEMENT FOR STUDENTS Setting The training is set to take place at the University of Findley. The training is created for students of college and universities and those students who are studying and working together. Students find it difficult to manage their life, social activities, household responsibilities, studies, jobs and personal relationships. By making these students aware of the time management needs and how time can be managed successfully, the training aims to create more efficient and happier students with better study outcomes. Objectives The trainee will demonstrate, through class discussion and written exercises, comprehension of time management skills, its importance and application in real life. Content and material to cover: this training course is for university students to introduce the importance of time and how time management What is the importance of time How time is lost How can time be saved How can work and life balance be achieved How important it is to manage time Context The two hours training module aims to firstly provide a self-assessment for students to identify if they are working beyond their capacities, thus leading to potential burn out. After that it aims to provide them a small lecture through powerpoint on the importance of time and methods of time management. The students will then apply these concepts in their group activities, and will then be evaluated by the rest of the participants, thereby learning best time utilization practices. Audience All participant students and students who study and work at the University of Findley in the workshop Location The workshop will take place at a classroom in the premises of University of Findley SECTION II DESCRIPTION OF AND RATIONALE FOR TEACHING STRATEGIES Students often complain of too many things demanding attention for their time, with very less time left to relax or rest. This translates into stress and reduced work performance in all areas of life, leading to an overall decrease in the quality of life. This then leads to students feeling bad about themselves, or inadequate to manage things in the appropriate manner. Time management and learning the importance of time are the key elements that distinguish the successful students from the less successful ones. The training aims to highlight some of the key areas in successful time management. Organizing things in life is not only a way to keep one’s room clean but also a need to keep the mind at rest. An organized system around a person allows for clarity of thought and action. It helps the person focus on one thing at a time, and in this way ensure that that particular area of life receives full focus. The topic was decided primarily due to a large proportion of students stating that they do not know how to balance the different elements of their life in an appropriate manner. For this reason, it was thought that a good way to teach time management skills would be to educate them in a non-traditional classroom format. For this reason, the use of powerpoint which would the primary source of instruction was complemented by other aids. The initial test would be a good starting point to gain student attention, and the initial and after the training evaluation of the test by the student himself would allow him to see how and where he is making mistakes in time management and how he can improve it. The use of physical and visual aids such as charts etc. also generate interest, for the audience is forced to shift focus from one point to another, thereby maintaining attention. Creation of an activity in the group of three would allow the participants to share their experiences and learn to achieve results within a constrictive timeframe, thereby teaching a very basic lesson of time management. Alongside, the presentation of the group task would teach them how to communicate in an effective manner within a specific timeframe. The other participants meanwhile would learn from the presenter and give more ideas to reinforce the ideas or offer alternative solutions. Students are generally more interested in learning activities that involve creativity and challenge. They are more likely to respond enthusiastically to a workshop than to a lecture. Alongside, students like to feel that they take something meaningful from their lecture or tutorial. By giving them self-assessment and informative brochures and interactive environment to share and express their ideas, the students are more likely to learn more from their peers. The choice of training was considered optimal as it provided the maximum impact in the shortest amount of time, did not require heavy mechanical or technical assistance and software, and would use the power of logic and discussion to emphasize the key elements of time management. Providing the training at a convenient location i.e. within the campus would make it easier for students to locate and take part in the training, thus increasing interest. Methods 10 minutes: Self introduction, introduction to the topic, distribution of handouts which will include all main points 30 minutes: power point presentation on time management and why it is important 30 minutes: By using video and pictures as aids, audience will be given time to discuss and ask questions related to time management and the powerpoint presentation 10 minutes: break 20 minutes: Audience activity about managing time 20 minutes: Discussion on the audience activity and inviting groups to give their perspectives 10 minutes: Final revision of the main points, conclusions, followup, coach, encourage, support and invite ideas for future workshop items and process inprovements. Training methods: Interpersonal communication between trainer and audience and within audience Visual aids and video Power point Group discussion Presentation of group members and analysis of each group GROUPING The plan is to divide the trainees into groups of three individuals so as to prevent passengers in the group. These groups would be assigned to create an outline of actions, initiatives or plans in order to attain time management skills. The groups will then discuss and refine the task to create a complete plan, which takes the best parts of each group, and combine them to attain best time management practices A mix of the training methods will allow addressing all kinds of participants in the workshop and the kind of learning methodologies they would prefer. Flipcharts, colors, ‘post-it’ notes are useful for those who are visual, spatial and creative people. Role-plays, discussions and mutual interviews etc are well received by persons who are people centered in nature. People with the more logical and process oriented nature are more likely to respond to planning tools etc. HAND OUT 1 TIME MANAGEMENT CALCULATOR This can be given at the start of the activity when the introductions are being carried out. This particular handout will allow the participants to estimate where they stand after filling out the form at the end of the first 10 minutes of introduction. The calculator is presented on the website http://utminers.utep.edu/omwilliamson/calculator1.htm SECTION III TRAINING MODULE ONLINE 1. Welcome/participant introductions This will allow the persons to familiarize with each other as well as the instructor and start the formal process of training The welcome address will inform the participants about the credentials and qualifications of the instructor and why they are appropriate to carry out this training. The participant introduction will allow other persons to know what level of students is taking the training and their own personal standing amongst them. 2. Distribution of the assessment quiz The second step that will take place with the introductions would include passing out of the time calculator. The participants would be asked to give the test five minutes and respond to these. These quizzes will be collected and one of the training team member will start to calculate the results during the time the rest of the workshop is conducted. 3. Powerpoint slide The powerpoint slide will cover two areas. In the first part, it will highlight the objectives of the training module and what benefits the participants would have in taking the workshop. The second part of the power point slide would be the presentation of actual content for the workshop. It will be for the participants to review and listen, draw inferences from and then use it later in their activity session 4. The fourth part would involve a group activity. The participants would be divided into groups of three and a time dependant task would be assigned to them. They would be asked to apply all that they have just learnt in the activity and draw inferences as to what they understand about different time management concepts. It will indicate sharing of opinions and ideas among the team members and in this way learning how time management can be carried out successfully. 5. The fifth part would lead to discussion of each group’s presentation, its critical analysis by the other persons and how it can be improved 6. The final part would be a discussion of the time calculator results with the participants who would be given out their results along with guiding handouts. The trainer will then explain what is required on each level of time management stress, and how these techniques could be used to minimize stress. 7. Final conclusions will mean repetition of the key concepts of time management, handing out of takeaway information materials, and thanking the participants for their interest, along with suggestions for future workshops in similar capacity. REFERENCES First Year Student Time Management Calculator, nd. Site last accessed on April 10th, 2012 from http://utminers.utep.edu/omwilliamson/calculator1.htm Read More