How to: Create a TA Task Queue
Ever seen a Scrum Board? Ever heard of a Scrum Board? These (glorified) Silicon Valley task tools are all the rage for software engineers trying to manage dozens of digital tasks a day. Give it a Google—basically, Scrum Boards are fancy checklists for people who make oodles more money than I do. Meanwhile, my checklist is written in purple Papermate Flair pens and covered in bulk, off-brand sticky notes that I swiped from the school supply closet. Ha!
But, I have to admit…there is something to be said for the sleek efficiency of the tech world. While the jargon can be intimidating, the premise is pretty simple: a “Scrum Board” is actually a collection of individual digital “tickets,” each of which itemizes a task that needs to be done. Any software engineer can claim any ticket, moving it across the board from conception to completion. No need for endless emails, hour-long meetings…the ticket contains all of the information they need. Non-stop efficiency, introvert style! (And, we all know that it’s actually the introverts who get everything done around here.)
When I saw my first Scrum Board, it got me thinking…could I, the lowly teacher, create a Scrum Board all my own? Every year, I recruit two to four upperclassmen TAs…maybe they could benefit from a hyper-efficient ticket system, just like the “big kids” do at their software jobs…and, lo and behold: I tried it, they loved it! So, here I am to humbly present my findings. Plus, a few takeaways on working productively with student assistants in general.
Every teacher has a different feeling (and possibly a dogmatic philosophical stance) on TA-ing. Some prefer TAs who work during their prep periods; others feel TAs will only complicate their already-too-complex workday. Personally, I like to recruit two to three students who can work together during the same period, so that they can enjoy a little camaraderie while I’m busy teaching. (And, so that they can make adorable mugs of hot chocolate together: one of my signature “TA perks.”) Yes—you heard that correctly: unlike many teachers, I opt to schedule TAs during my classes, so that I can soak up much-needed alone time during my preps. What can I say? I’m a hermit, at heart!
Given that I’m teaching, I’m often too busy to give my assistants detailed instructions on what I need…which is why I found myself experimenting with Scrum Boards in the first place. And, the result? An invention of my own creation…(drum roll, please)…the digital TA Task Queue! (Ok, ok, it’s basically a Scrum Board. But “scrum” sounded too much like an insult, so we had to go with a rebrand.)
My TA tasks vary wildly, depending on the class period and on the TA. My senior TAs earn college credit for helping me with various curricular needs, while my junior TAs do more immediate work around the classroom. Either way, all the magic happens on a handy dandy spreadsheet that they call, simply, “The Queue.” Check out the example posted on my Freebies page, and make it your own with the components below:
Tag: Here, you can tag which TAs or set of TAs you have in mind—maybe some of your TAs are skilled with the course content, while others are geniuses when it comes to document design. Or, when they’re feeling up for it, each TA can claim a ticket for themselves!
Task: Write a quick title for the task, so that you and your TAs have a common language for the job at hand.
Instructions: Here, you can write a few notes on how to complete the task. For repeated tasks, the instructions need not be overly complicated. However, if TAs are working while you’re teaching, it’s helpful to type out instructions and preferences in long-form (text wrapping recommended, in these cases).
Resources: Are there course documents, websites, or templates that they’ll need? Link any helpful resources here, so that they’ll know exactly where to turn.
Final Product: Where should they put the final product? Link a blank Google Doc, create a Quizlet set, or indicate that they should send you the result by email. This way, you never have to track something down after class!
Checklist: Finally, include a checkbox so that students can let you know when the task is complete. My checkbox changes the color of the row to green…a muted chartreuse just feels celebratory, you know?
Priority: When you have a few tasks going at once, it’s helpful to drag unfinished tasks up or down in the queue. My TAs know to start at the top of the list and work their way down, as time and energy allow.
Now, lest “the Queue” seem like a cold, impersonal digital revolution, it’s important to mention that my TAs know that they can always raise a hand with questions or clarifications. I give them a subtle nod to let them know that I’ll drop by—which has the added advantage of making me feel incredibly important, like a secret agent or CEO. We check in briefly a few times per class period, and I’m always sure to chat for a few minutes after class to catch up the latest goss’. Between the TA Queue and the hot chocolate station, I can assure you that work satisfaction is at an all-time high!
So, what do you think? Are you ready to implement a TA Queue of your own? I promise: it’s a real-world way to prepare your students for the jobs that are to come, and it will save you hours upon hours of busy work on routine tasks. Channel your inner tech titan and give “The Queue” a try. You’re the Scrum Master now! (And that’s a compliment…I promise.)
