10/14: Finding and organizing online resources:

Part 1: Organizing Web Resources on your Web Browser

Directions: We will walk through the following steps on four browsers.  There is a detailed guide to Bookmarks and more on our course website.  I recommend that you keep this handy as we go through the class.  It will help to visualize how to do these things and will offer more details than you will see in class.

1. Bookmarks

   • Definition: A way to save and easily access frequently visited websites.

   • How to create and manage bookmarks in different browsers:

     • Chrome: Bookmark bar, folders, syncing across devices.

     • Edge: Favorites, creating collections.

     • Safari: Bookmark manager, adding to reading lists.

     • Firefox: Bookmark toolbar, organizing into folders

To organize bookmarks into folders, look for the "Bookmarks Manager" or "Favorites" option in your browser.

2. Reading Lists , Collections and Pocket

   • Reading List: Saving articles or websites to read later (Chrome, Safari)

     • Chrome: "Save to Reading List" feature.

     • Safari: Reading List integrated into bookmarks.

2. • Collections (Microsoft Edge): Group related content (websites, images, notes) into collections for easy reference.

2. • Pocket:  Save web pages, articles, videos and other content.  Integrates into Firefox and syncs across devices. 

Activity Create Your Own Bookmark Collection 

Instructions: Find two websites that you visit frequently and create bookmarks for them in their respective browsers. Next, organize the bookmarks into a folder.

Activity:  Reading List Challenge

Instructions: Save three articles of your choice to a reading list (or collections in Edge) from any browser.

Part 2: Organizing Files on Your Computer

Directions:  Documents and folders are saved on your device.  If you have a Windows device, it is the Windows File Explorer.  If you have a Mac,  it is Finder.  We will look at both of these in class. During this part, we will walk through the two examples.  Please use the Detailed Guide for File Management to help you understand the site. 

1. Windows File Explorer

   • Overview: The default file management system for Windows.

   • Key Features: Folders, subfolders, libraries, and quick access.

   • Demonstration: How to create folders, move files, and search.

2. Mac Finder

   • Overview: The file management system for Mac.

   • Key Features: Sidebar for shortcuts, search bar, creating folders, tagging files.

   • Demonstration: Organizing files, using Finder tags, and searching for files.

Task: Organize Your Digital Workspace Challenge

1. Preparation:

   • Looking at your file manager, find  a messy or disorganized folder. It could be their Downloads folder, Desktop, or any folder with a lot of random files.

2. Instructions:

   • You  will be organizing this folder using specific File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac) tools. They will:

     • Create at least three new folders to categorize their files (e.g., "Photos," "Documents," "Projects").

     • Use the "Sort by" or "Group by" feature to view files by type, date, or size.

     • Move files into appropriate folders.

     • Rename at least two files with more descriptive names.

     • Search for a file they haven't used in a while and delete or move it to a dedicated folder (e.g., "Archives").

3. Demonstration before activity:

   • Show how to create folders, sort files, and rename files in File Explorer/Finder.

4. The Challenge:

   • You will have between  10-15 minutes to organize your chosen folder and perform the above tasks. Use as many features as you can, such as sorting, searching, and creating folders to make their digital space more structured.

5. Sharing:

   • When we have completed the task, we will ask for a few volunteers to share their screens and walk the class through their newly organized workspace.

   • Describe  how they felt about the process—whether it made it easier to find things or gave them a sense of accomplishment.