Many teachers including myself commute to work each day. I commute 30 minutes each way to my school everyday. That’s 5 hours of time lost per week. Have you ever wondered how you can use this time productively? There are some days that this time is great for reflection, chilling out or other non work related activities for sure but making use of some of this time can help to ease your workload or stress levels.

5 Tips to utilise your commute time

1. Listen to POD casts to access learning.

I enjoy listening to technology podcasts to update my tech knowledge. Maybe you can even record your own podcast.

Some PodCasts that you might like to listen to:

• TedTalks
• Teachers Talking Teaching
• Ask the Flipped Learning Network
• Flipped Learning Radio
• Talks with Teachers

2. Set your tasks for the day.

I use my bluetooth to set tasks through google. My car is about 4 years old and I simply need to press my call button twice tell google that I need to make a note and it records my note in my gmail tasks. This should also be possible using Siri contected to bluetooth as well.

You can also use the free app dragon dictation (iOS only) to record your tasks for the day or any other thoughts that you might have.

3. Set teleconferences during your commute or networking phone calls.

Setting a time when your commuting to reflect and plan with colleagues can reduce the number of hours you need to remain at work.

4. Listen to an ebook

This could be on organisation, leading staff, managing change, new educational pedagogy etc.

5. Work on your mindfulness

If it is all getting overwhelming and the lists are piling up and the jobs just look like they are never ending get some zen. Try one of the following apps to get you zen on the way to or from work. (Remember if you are driving ensure that you are paying full attention to the road)

• Headspace
• Personal Zen (iOS only)
• Insight timer

What do you do to make the best of your commute? Please share in the comments below or on our facebook page.