Productivity & Organization Tools
⚙️ Are your ducks in a row?
These tools streamline teaching tasks, improve time management, and help faculty stay organized — from managing files to tracking projects and scheduling meetings.
⚙️ Trello
Purpose: Visual project management tool using boards, lists, and cards.
Best for: Organizing course development, research projects, or committee tasks.
Pro Tip: Use color-coded labels to track task priorities or assignment stages.
⚙️ Google Drive
Purpose: Cloud-based storage and collaboration platform for documents and files.
Best for: Sharing syllabi, assignments, or group project folders with students or colleagues.
⚙️ Notion
Purpose: All-in-one workspace for notes, wikis, to-do lists, and project planning.
Best for: Tracking teaching tasks, research notes, and meeting agendas in one place.
Pro Tip: Create a course management dashboard to centralize planning and deadlines.
⚙️ Google Calendar
Purpose: Calendar app for scheduling and sharing events and reminders.
Best for: Managing office hours, grading blocks, or course deadlines.
Pro Tip: Layer multiple calendars (personal, teaching, departmental) to avoid conflicts and plan ahead.
⚙️ Slack
Purpose: Team messaging platform for quick communication and file sharing.
Best for: Collaborative projects, department communication, or mentoring groups.
Pro Tip: Create channels by topic (e.g., “Curriculum Ideas,” “Advising Tips”) to keep discussions organized.
⚙️ Todoist
Purpose: Task management tool for creating to-do lists with priorities and reminders.
Best for: Organizing grading tasks, project steps, or course development deadlines.
Pro Tip: Use recurring tasks for weekly routines like discussion grading or course announcements.
💡 Faculty Tips
- Use digital tools that sync across devices to stay productive anywhere.
- Group related tasks (grading, communication, meetings) into themed time blocks for focus.
- Leverage shared documents and calendars to reduce back-and-forth emails.