Some may not realize the importance of keeping organized computer files; we tend to focus on organizing our filing cabinets, but pay little attention to those bothersome yellow folder icons.
The focus of this endeavor is ALWAYS NAME AND SAVE FILES APPROPRIATELY. Rearranging and renaming files is cumbersome, so getting into the habit of correctly doing it will save you time in the long run.
This is a great starting point for beginning to organize your files. Follow these steps to get your files in order!
Step 1
Decide what organizational system makes sense for you. Do you work best when materials are organized by:
- Unit, theme or topic?
- Subject and then topic?
- Standards?
- Time?
Step 2
Begin by creating the folders you will use to store your files. You can always add, delete or rename them, so don't worry about making it perfect the first time.
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| My files are arranged by subject and topic. |
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Step 3
Next, add sub-folders that will be easy to use as you are saving or opening files. Be clear and concise - it is terribly frustrating when you can't find something quickly!
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| Within my Math folder, I have files arranged in order of the topics I teach and by extra materials. |
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Step 4
Decide how to name your files. What will help you locate them? Personally, I like to use capital and lowercase letters and be clear and concise.
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| You can see the file trail in the address bar - it is so easy to find my materials now! |
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Step 5
Move your old files into the appropriate folders and sub-folders, re-naming them along the way.
Step 6
Now, just keep up the work! Each time you save a file, take the time to put it in the appropriate folder and name it transparently.
BONUS TIP
For your Holidays folder, arrange the files with the number of the month and month or event name. That way they are always easy to locate!
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| You could also arrange them in the order of the school year, with September being marked as 1, October being marked as 2, etc. |
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