Improving+Organization+in+a+Digital+World

toc =__Overview__= Organization helps improve efficiency and productivity. While many were organized in the paper world, this has fallen to the wayside in the digital world. This session will focus on organization strategies on the hard drive and email. =__Goals__= Participants in this session will learn strategies for organizing their computers and email. =__Outcomes__= At the end of this session, you will have strategies to: =__Questions to Consider__=
 * __Improving Organization in a Digital World__ **
 * Organize your computer's //Desktop// and //My Documents//
 * Organize your email using folders
 * 1) What are essential elements to organizing my digital space?
 * 2) How could you help your teachers become better organized in their digital spaces?

=__Activity 1: Organizing Your Computer__=

Where Do Downloaded Files Go?
==Cleaning the Desktop==
 * Each browser has default folders for which downloaded files are sent. Instead of learning every location, it is easier to change your browser's default to the Desktop
 * Click the appropriate link below to watch the how-to video for changing the default download location for Internet Explorer, Firefox, and Chrome.
 * For PC Users
 * For Mac Users
 * Let's look at two different desktops (Click here). Discuss the following questions at your table.
 * 1) Compare the two desktops. What are advantages and disadvantages of each?
 * 2) Which looks more familiar to your computer?
 * 3) Which do you think would be easier to navigate, search, and find necessary documents? Why?
 * 4) What do you think would be good to have on the desktop?

Using //My Documents//

 * An organized //My Documents// folder will help you maintain an organized //Desktop//. Here are some suggestions to help you organize your computer.
 * __**Folders**__
 * In //My Documents//, create several broad category folders that will contain sub-folders. For example teachers may create a folder for each subject they teach, a folder for professional/staff development, etc.
 * Within each sub-folder, determine whether additional folders could be helpful or whether files can be placed directly in the folder.
 * Be willing to refine your organization method. This may require you to rename/relocate files and folders to improve your organization.
 * __**Files**__
 * As you create files, give them a name that is relevant to the file and can make it easy to find. For example, if I create a practice worksheet on finding the equation of a line that matches with Chapter 5.4 in my book, I might name it "Ch 5.4- Equation of a Line Practice" or "Equation of a Line Practice".
 * Once you have downloaded/created new files, place them in the appropriate folder to minimize clutter on the desktop.
 * Most importantly: **//Set aside a few minutes each day to maintain your organization!//**

Computer Organization Activity
You are now going to have time to begin organizing your computer! Instructions
 * For PC Users
 * For Mac Users
 * If you feel your computer is organized, please do one of the following options:
 * Review and revise your organization methods
 * Work with a neighbor and help them decide on optimizing their organization
 * Plan how you can help your teachers become more organized either through group sessions or through 1:1 sessions.

=__Activity 2: Organizing Your Email__= Organizing your email is very similar to organizing your computer. The goal with email is to avoid an inbox like the one below and instead use folders to help us sort and organize our email. Use the following steps to help you begin organizing your email!
 * 1) Determine whether or not you want to use sub-folders. This will influence how specific your main folder names should be.
 * Do you think using only folders or using a sub-folder method will be more useful for you? Why?
 * What do you believe would be good folders to create?
 * 1) Create your primary folders and any accompanying sub-folders. Make sure that emails will specifically be located in only one of the folders you create.
 * Suggestion: Create a "High Priority" Folder. Place emails that need to be addressed soon, but you do not have time to do so when it was read.
 * 1) Find time every day to sort your email. This will help you from missing any relevant emails.

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=__Reflection__= Click Here to Begin the Reflection Process Click Here to See Responses

=**__Images Copyrights__**= @http://www.flickr.com/photos/rueful/5917659410/ breahn creative commons 2.0

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