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Storing and Sharing

2.3

Intro

Ask any KS2 teacher what they think about their pupils' saving skills and you're likely to hear tales of woe about losing time in lesson after lesson due to work not being saved correctly. But are they too young to save for themselves in Year 2? Not at all!

In Year 2, pupils should be saving their work and naming their files with confidence. They should also be starting to open saved work.

Framework

2.3 - Saving and Sharing

  • save work using an appropriate file name, e.g. child's name and simple title
  • use an icon to open a saved file.

Skill by Skill

  • Save work and select an appropriate file name.

(EAS ICT Skills Framework)

Vocabulary

save     open     work     folder     filename     icon

Focus Tasks

Save, Save, Save!

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There are three steps to saving correctly, and these steps need to be clearly taught at this early age.

  1. Remembering to click the 'Save' button. This should now come as second nature for them, Therefore they should not need much reminding.
  2. Saving in the correct folder. Don't worry too much about this aspect at this stage. If you are using software such as Purple Mash or J2E then the correct folder will usually be chosen automatically.
  3. Choosing an appropriate filename. Even in KS2, many pupils will either fail to name their documents, or name them in such a way that it proves hard to identify them at a later date. Discuss with your pupils what makes a good filename. When they are working on any digital task, ask them what their filename will be. Hopefully they'll suggest including their own name/initials and a title for their work.

The key, as with most skills, is to model and give opportunities for practise.

Remember

  • Make it clear to the pupils why they are saving. Re-open their work on a different device to show them what saving means.
  • The filename is so important. They need to develop the habit of thinking of good filenames so that they don't lose work in future.

Enhanced Provision

Save Everything

  • Make sure there are big pictures next to your computers of the different Save buttons they may come across (depending on the software you use in class, possibly Purple Mash or J2E).
  • Every-time they use a computer, be it for a focused task or as enhanced provision, encourage them to save their project.
  • Regularly ask pupils to re-open saved work at a later date. (You can have the folder containing the work open for them.)