Start class with a 2-minute task “Capture”
At the beginning of class, students add/confirm all new work (teacher-given + student + tasks from Google Classroom/other sources).
Rule: When students enter homework/studies, avoid entering this as “notes.” Enter items as tasks so each can be planned and checked off (that’s the real value).
Break down weekly plans into separate tasks
Turn one “Weekly plan” item into separate tasks (one per subject/deliverable/step).
Why: prevents hidden details and “one big blob” thinking; makes everything visible, plan-able, and easy to complete.
Before:
A single bloc of information within a single posted task or posted to the board or via the LMS which ends up looking something like this in Studyo:
This week:
Lab/Simulation: Food Web activity + submit the screenshot + 3 questions. Due Thursday.
Notes: Read the “Energy Pyramid” notes + highlight 5 key terms. Due Friday.
Exit Task: 5-question check-in (Google Form). Due Friday.or in Studyo:
After:
Break down big tasks & projects into smaller steps
Anything >30–45 minutes becomes 2–5 smaller steps (research/outline/draft/revise…), each planned on specific days
Thinking about these steps is the most important part and you can revise them as you go.
Plan each task from the “Today” list (Tasks view)
< 2 minutes: plan it for today (or do it now, then mark done).
> 2 minutes: decide which day you’ll do it and shift it there (double click the planning icon)
Multiple steps?: Decide when you want to finish the next uncompleted step and plan for that date.
End of class 1-minute: Update reality + mark Done
If their workload has changed during class, students mark tasks Done (Double-click due icon), adjust changes, add/refine steps.
Why teachers should explain: marking Done clears old tasks out of the task view so upcoming important work becomes visible, reducing overwhelm and keeping the planner trustworthy.
