One of the best ways for faculty to manage their workload in online teaching is through intentional course design. In Managing Online Instructor Workload: Strategies for Finding Balance and Success, Conceição and Lehman (2011) emphasize that clearly structured and well-organized courses reduce students' confusion and significantly cut down on time spent clarifying expectations.
A modular course format is key. Students know what to expect when you structure each week or module with a consistent rhythm, such as an overview, a reading, a discussion, and an assignment. This predictability means fewer emails, fewer late submissions, and fewer grading errors. It also helps students build autonomy, which supports retention and reduces reliance on faculty for routine guidance.
Automation is another smart design element. Learning management systems (LMS) offer tools to pre-schedule announcements, release content by date, and automate reminders. This allows instructors to frontload effort at the beginning of the semester rather than scrambling weekly. Creating templates for assignments and discussion prompts also saves time and improves your course professionally.
Faculty should also consider reusability when designing. Use content that can serve multiple terms or can be updated easily. For example, recording short videos that explain core concepts can be reused with minor edits, and templates for syllabi, rubrics, and grading feedback can streamline preparation.
Faculty Tip: Design with the future in mind. A course that runs smoothly now will run even more efficiently in subsequent semesters.
Reference
Conceição, S. C., & Lehman, R. M. (2011). Managing Online Instructor Workload: Strategies for Finding Balance and Success. Jossey-Bass.
