Get+Going+with+File+Management+for+PCs


 * SESSION TITLE:Get Going With File Management for PCs**

As long as we are using our computers we are constantly creating documents and downloading materials form the Internet. We save these documents to use later. However if we are not careful many times we cannot find them to use later or to share, therefore we must have a system whereby we can organize our plethora of information and find it easily.
 * SETTING THE STAGE** //(To be reviewed before the session begins.)//

__**Session Overview**__ In this session, participants will learn how to set up folder structures on their computers and/or flash drives. They will create systems to organize their documents and other materials.

__**Focusing Questions**__

__**Materials**__
 * 1) What is the difference and the relationship between a file and a folder?
 * 2) **How can I create a system to organize my files, documents, pictures etc.?**
 * 3) **How do I organize the files and folders on my computer?**

The following materials are used in this session: Laptops (or desktop computers).
 * Projector**
 * Interactive Whiteboard (optional**


 * __Resources__**
 * PowerPoint presentation**.

“How do I use a flash drive?” document.

INSTRUCTION //(Typically lasts about 20% of session.)//

__**Framing the Session**__ Give participants an introduction and purpose/reason why you are teaching this session:
 * Remind participants that they know how to download pictures, music and files from the internet.**


 * Remind them that they already have some files (documents, pictures etc.) saved in their “My Documents” folder, as Word or PowerPoint files.**


 * Tell them that in this session they will now learn how to keep these resources well organized so that they can help other students and teachers to organize their files.**


 * Discuss with them the importance of keeping their files organized.**
 * “In this session you will learn how to organize your computer so it is easier to find files and downloads.”**


 * “As you begin to download resources and create your own materials, you will need to organize them. If you keep saving them into your “My Documents” folder you will soon end up with hundreds of files which will make it difficult to find a particular file if you don’t remember the name you saved it under.**


 * In the same way that you have a filing system for your papers or you have separate sections in your binder, you will need to organize your digital resources and materials in order to be able to manage them more efficiently..**

__**Teaching**__ computer = filing cabinet; folder = folder within the cabinet by category or topic; file = document in the folder
 * When we think about files we think about a filing cabinet:

Explain how file storage is organized on the PC platform.**
 * Show** **Sample File Structure** **document (download attached).**


 * “Any storage device (hard drive, floppy disk, CD-ROM, external drive, thumb drive, etc.) can be organized with files and folders.**
 * A folder, (show a sample) which looks like an actual file folder on the computer screen, is a directory that can store files as well as additional folders, which in turn can store additional files and folders, and so on. This lets us organize our files into a folder system, so that we can always find our work stored just where we left it.”**


 * Go to your desktop and click on “My Computer”.** **Demonstrate the different drives and explain how they can be accessed to find files or folders within them.**


 * Show a sample folder that contains both files and other folders.**


 * Demonstrate the process of creating a new folder and dragging files into it:**


 * "This is one of my folders. When I begin work on a new topic, I create a new folder where I store all of my files related to that unit. This folder is for my unit on iSquad. I am double-clicking on the folder to open it. Inside you can see that I have several files. I also have several subfolders for the different iSquad units I am working on. Inside these subfolders are my documents pertaining to that topic.**


 * “Several of the files in the ‘iSquad’ folder are handouts and worksheets for this class. I think that I will create a new subfolder called** **PowerPoint Downloads****.’

To do this I just Right Click, select “New” and “Folder” from the File menu. A new folder appears with the words “untitled folder”. If you start tying a name for your new folder it will automatically become the new name. Now I will place some of PowerPoint files into my new** **PowerPoint Downloads** **folder by highlighting them and dragging them into the new folder. There, now my files for the iSquad are much better organized and easier to find."**


 * Invite participants to think about how they would like to organize their own files:**


 * "In a few minutes you will have an opportunity to work on setting up a folder structure on your computer. Before you begin, you should think about ways that you might want to organize your files. You may choose to set up your digital folders to reflect your paper-filing system or you may choose a different method. You saw that I created a separate folder for each topic. What are some other ways you could organize your files?"**

Create a plan for a file structure you would like to create on your own computer:
 * Have each participant write down the names of the folders he or she would like to create, along with any subfolders.** (can be done in Word or on paper).

Guide participants through the process of creating and organizing folders.
 * __Guided Practice__**

Participants will create a folder for their iSquad documents: - go to My Documents folder on the desktop - Right Click, then click on New, Folder - name folder "iSquad" - open Microsoft Word, new document - save document as "Notes + today's date" - save document in iSquad folder.
 * “Now it is your turn to try it.” Have participants follow and duplicate your actions as you create a new folder and drag other documents into it.**


 * WORK TIME** //(Typically lasts about 60–70% of session.)//

__**Getting Started**__ Tell participants what they will be doing during their work time, and how much time they have:
 * “Take the next 20 minutes to create your own folders and drag some of your documents into them and then we will come back together and share.”**

Participants will... __Step 1:__ Break into groups according to preference (by grade, class or subject area). __Step 2:__ Create subject area folders for each of their classes and other folders for miscellaneous documents that are currently saved on their computers. Make sure to name the folders as they are created. __Step 3:__ Drag documents, pictures and other downloaded material into the folders to help organize them. __Step 4:__ Drag documents, pictures and other downloaded material into the folders to help organize them.
 * __Participant Activity__**


 * __Facilitator Conferring__**
 * Circulate around the room and confer with participants. Suggest that students create a new document and practice saving it in one of the new folders.**
 * Take note of particularly good examples of work that can be presented during the Share.**


 * SHARE** //(Typically lasts about 10–20% of session.)//

__**Share**__ Participants gather at the end of the session to demonstrate what they have done, discuss experiences they have had, and reflect on what they have learned.

This is an opportunity to return to the focusing questions that began the session, and discuss what has been accomplished in the interval. **Lead a discussion about how this work addresses the focusing**


 * Ask selected participants to share particularly good examples of their work by projecting for all to see.**

Remind participants that in the case of a hard drive failure only the "My Documents" folder is saved.

__Author__: Gloria Nelson __Email__: gnelson@schools.nyc.gov __School/Employer__: PS/IS 268Q __Title__: Instructional Technology Coach
 * ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS**


 * TEMPLATE DESCRIPTION**


 * Each session contains the following components and can be conducted in 45–60 minutes:**

This is a concise summary of the session, and how it fits into the training series as a whole.
 * Session Overview**

These are the specific questions that guide the session. The purpose of the session is to address these questions.
 * Focusing Questions**

This is a list of all materials that the facilitator must make sure are present at the training site, including technology resources.
 * Materials**

All handouts can be found linked from the Resources section of the participant agenda. Participants will be able to access these materials online during the session, but the facilitator should review them ahead of time, and any instructional support charts should be posted in the room before the session begins.
 * Resources**

The facilitator explains to the participants what will be covered in this session, how it fits into the training series as a whole, and how it may be incorporated into their reflective practice.
 * Framing the Session**

This is a short period of facilitator-led instruction designed to prepare the participants for their work time. The facilitator might demonstrate a specific use of technology in an authentic curricular context, selected participants might be invited to share relevant experiences, or the group as a whole might contribute to a shared brainstorming list. The facilitator should be careful to avoid giving a lengthy lecture or straying too far from the focusing questions.
 * Teaching**

Sometimes it is helpful for the facilitator to walk the participants through a process step by step. This gives the participants the hands-on experience of work time before losing the scaffolding of facilitator-led instruction.
 * Guided Practice**

The facilitator gives instructions to the participants for their work time, and lets them know what they will be expected to share at the end of the session.
 * Getting Started**

Participants are given time to practice the specific process they have seen demonstrated. They may be working independently, with a partner, or in small groups.
 * Participant Activity**

As participants work, the facilitator moves around the room holding short conferences to help guide the work and make it more productive. The facilitator should be at eye level with participants during each conference. These conversations need not be especially private; the facilitator may invite someone sitting nearby to listen in. If common needs among the group emerge, they can either be addressed immediately or during the sharing time.
 * Facilitator Conferring**

Participants gather at the end of the session to demonstrate what they have done, discuss experiences they have had, and reflect on what they have learned. This is an opportunity to return to the focusing questions that began the session, and discuss what has been accomplished in the interval.
 * Share**

This section acknowledges those who contributed to the creation of this session.
 * Acknowledgements**