1. Course management tools
In this lesson, you'll learn about the tools we use to keep on track and meet our deadlines.
2. Asana for project management
We use a project management tool called Asana to track course progress. Every DataCamp course has an associated Asana project that lets us visualize the entire course workflow from course design through course launch.
3. Tasks
Asana projects are essentially to-do lists.
4. Tasks
Every item on the list is called a task,
5. Tasks
and each task is assigned to either a DataCamper or an instructor.
6. Tasks
Tasks are divided into sections, which represent finite units of work, for example, "Chapter 3."
7. Task dependencies
Some tasks are dependent on other tasks. Make sure to recognize this dependency icon as it will help you gauge whether or not a task is ready for you to begin. If you have something due soon, but it is dependent on a DataCamp task, give your CM or CD a nudge using an @mention in the comment section of that task.
8. Check off your tasks!
We all need to be diligent about completing tasks when we've finished them to ensure transparency and keep on track. Tasks should only be checked off when the task and all its associated subtasks are complete.
9. Delivery deadlines
Agreed delivery deadlines are also held in Asana, along with intermediate due dates of smaller tasks. Asana sends you notifications when a due date of an incomplete task is near.
10. Get notified!
Set up email notifications in your profile settings to ensure that you receive all communications from us and keep on top of your deadlines.
11. Meeting tools
Instructor check-ins are another important part of course management. We want to answer your questions, whether they are high-level or detail-related and chatting regularly provides clarity that asynchronous communication sometimes lacks.
12. Meeting tools
At the beginning of each phase of course creation, you will choose a regular meeting time from your DataCamp contact's calendar. We use the booking tool Calendly for scheduling meetings. During check-ins, screen sharing is often necessary to clarify product and content questions; thus our preferred tool for meetings is Zoom.
13. Meeting tools
We understand that many companies have strict policies about these types of tools. If your company does not allow you to use screen sharing tools on your work device, we'll work with you to book a meeting time outside of your work hours or a time when you can meet outside of your office, when these tools can be used, that way we can make our check-ins as productive as possible.
14. instructor-support.datacamp.com
Another tool at your disposal is our instructor knowledge base, hosted on Intercom. Our instructor knowledge base houses articles on DataCamp content creation, including more in-depth articles on tools, such as Asana.
15. instructor-support.datacamp.com
The instructor knowledge base should be your go-to source for any course design, development, or maintenance questions. If your search does not return any results, Intercom captures those search parameters, which we then use to create new articles to answer your questions swiftly.
The instructor knowledge base is located at instructor dash support dot datacamp dot com.
16. Course-related communication
Communication is vital. To get your questions or concerns to the right person as fast as possible, we want you to communicate with us through either Asana, for project management-related comments or GitHub, for content-related information. All team members are on these platforms and will be able to respond.
17. Email is bad
Please do not email a DataCamper about an existing course; all course-related communication should exist on your Asana project, or ideally, within your GitHub repo. This ensures that all communication about your course is transparent, trackable, and accessible by other DataCampers and can be referenced throughout course creation.
18. Let's practice!
Let's now test out your course management knowledge with some exercises.