4.5: Choose a daily task management system
- Page ID
- 21380
\( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \) \( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} \)\(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)\(\newcommand{\AA}{\unicode[.8,0]{x212B}}\)
Some students prefer paper-based task management systems, while others prefer to use technology to manage daily tasks. Consider the following advantages and disadvantages of systems you might choose.
Choose a Daily Task Management System
System | Advantages | Disadvantages |
---|---|---|
Paper planner | • User is not required to learn new technology • Eliminates possible distraction with apps • Flexible and adaptable to user preferences | • Difficult to share tasks with team members in group projects • May require time to create effective calendar and task list layouts |
Online calendar (e.g. Outlook Calendar, Google Calendar) | • Tasks and other life commitments are integrated in a single view • Information is easily viewable on multiple devices • Easy to schedule meetings with team members or share events | • May be difficult to integrate smaller tasks into the work plan • May be difficult to move incomplete tasks to a new time slot on a later date |
Time management app (e.g. Wunderlist, Remember the Milk, Microsoft To-Do) | • Information can viewed on multiple devices • Most apps allow project lists to be shared between team members • Easy to integrate small tasks into the daily task list • Easy to mark task completion • Incomplete tasks can be rescheduled simply | • May require time to learn the platform • Apps may become obsolete • Some apps require payment |
Reflection and Action
Consider what kind of task management system will help you most in your current study program:
- What kind of time management system do you prefer? Paper or technology-based?
- Do you plan to keep your current time management system, or make some changes to support your online learning? If you are trying a new system, when will you evaluate how effective it is for you?
- When will you organize your daily tasks? Will you set aside a longer block of time on a weekly basis for planning, or set aside a few moments for planning at the beginning or end of each day?
Click here to download a printable worksheet for your reflections.