Naming Files

Explain to them that a filename needs to tell you two things. Firstly, and most importantly, it should make clear what work it contains, so that it can be easily identified in the future. Secondly, it should have the name or initials of the child(ren) who created it. Try to devise names for these files that satisfy these criteria, without becoming too long.

Local, Server and Cloud Saving

Teach them the difference between these three ways of saving.

• Local saving means that the file is just saved on that one particular device.
• Take the pupils to see the school server (that big noisy, hot computer that's in a cupboard somewhere!) Explain that server-saved files are kept on it, and that they can be opened from any device in the school.
• Explain that saving in the cloud involves a website such as OneDrive, Google Drive Dropbox, J2E or Purple Mash. Utilising these, they can open their files on any device, anywhere. Children should be starting to save in the Cloud themselves. Some will still require assistance.

Folder Management

We all know what a untidy folder looks like. Have you looked at your school server recently? Teach pupils to create folders for their work from previous years and suggest folder names for keeping this year's work tidy (e.g. Term 1, Term 2... or English, Welsh, History...).

Sharing

What enjoyment is there in making a video or designing a poster if nobody ever gets to see it. Every finished video task should be shown to the class at the very least. Every poster should be displayed. Saving in the cloud enables pupils to share with their parents as well, using QR codes. Teach them how to do this to save yourself having to create 30 QR codes!

Saving is not hard to teach or learn. Just teach them exactly how it's done and they'll do it perfectly all year long!