Estimate Workload

Activity

Guidance and help

Estimate Workload

Maha Bali

This activity introduces an online workload estimator – a tool that helps both faculty and students assess academic workload and make informed adjustments to course design or study time.

Tech needed: No tech needed

Asynchronous

Accessibility: Visual, Text-based

Duration: 5-30 mins

Student preparation: Moderate

Educator preparation: Moderate

ACTIVITY PURPOSE

Estimate weekly or semester workload using an online workload estimator. Helps faculty design balanced courses and students manage time. Use individually or in groups to compare expectations, reflect, and make informed adjustments.

USEFUL FOR

Faculty can use it to estimate the workload for their students as they design their courses, and how they might adjust their plans accordingly.
Students can use it to look at their workload in different courses and see what takes more of their time, etc.

PREPARATION

Start by reviewing a course syllabus. Note down key activities such as readings, assignments, class sessions, and study expectations.

INSTRUCTIONS

Educators can use this tool to review the categories in the workload estimator to compare the estimated student workload with their course plans for the week or semester, and identify if any adjustments are needed to balance the demands.
This tool can be used with students to help them understand and reflect on their workload. Students review each category to see how much time they spend on different tasks and identify areas where they might need to adjust their study habits or manage their time differently.

DURATION

It could take 5 minutes or longer, depending how much you decide to adjust.

ADAPTATIONS AND EXAMPLES

Groups of faculty can do this, or can do it with students to see if their version of workload estimation aligns with students.