Google Docs: Because all my students are used to using Google Docs, I use Google Docs for some docs. Like the lab manual for my research team (I’m in Psych). I also use Google Docs for my students’ status updates, where they keep notes of their research projects/thesis progress and decisions we’ve made; I also ask them to include key dates like conference deadlines and IRB deadlines (kind of like a lab journal). It helps me keep track of all my grad students’ projects.
Keyboard maestro - If I want to write a quick email… I can do that from anywhere using my keyboard shortcut (control, option, command + M). I also use it instead of text expander to paste the response I send for students who ask me for a letter of rec (e.g. I need this, and that, plus send me the dates for each program). I also use KM to open links to my grad students’ status update Google Docs (if I type specific text, it pulls up a screen that lets me choose to open a specific grad student’s Status Updates or all the Status Update links in different tabs). Sometimes Things 3 closes, and I always want it running. So I have Keyboard Maestro check that Things 3 is running. If not, it launches it. I use the AI for little things like that.
Grammarly - I am a typo machine. So, it helps me with typos in emails and writing I want to spend less time on.
Drafts - I treat this like my notepad. I need to learn to make better use of this app. It’s so powerful, but I just use it as a place to easily capture text quickly. It syncs so quickly across all my devices.
Paste - It allows me access to my clipboard across all my devices. If I remember copying something a few days ago, I can search my clipboard and likely find it.
Apple Shortcuts - I have an automated shortcut that texts me my schedule for the next day. I have an automation that runs every Thurs that tells students to submit their status updates.
Basecamp - For project organization and communication. I don’t do emails for communication in my lab or on any of my research projects. It’s all on basecamp chat or DMs. I also use BC to assign tasks and have my grad students use it with their students. This is free to educators (send them an email).
Fantastical - The different calendar sets are essential for staying organized. I tried going a year with the stock calendar app… never again.
Padlet - I have students do a quick intro activity on Padlet (tell me about yourself, what’s your career goal, share a photo of yourself)
Polleveverywhere - I use this for exit tickets. I ask them if they understand the material and have any questions. I address a question or two following the lecture. This was very helpful when I started as a professor, and one student would say, “No one understands what’s going on.” This would trigger my imposter syndrome. When I started doing exit tickets, I’d check students’ responses when I would get this kind of remark, and it helped me realize whether the confusion was widespread (often it was that one student; maybe they were trying to save face).
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