Get Organised!

Curriculum Context

Learning Area: Technology
Subject Strand: Digital Technologies
Curriculum Level: Level 4 of The New Zealand Curriculum
Course Focus: Developing computational thinking and digital outcomes
Technology Achievement Objective (Level 4):

Understand that digital devices store data using file systems and that this affects how digital information is accessed and managed. Students will also understand basic digital media techniques for managing, naming, and sorting digital data.

---

Lesson Overview

Year Level: Year 9
Lesson Duration: 45 minutes
Class Size: 30 students
Theme: File Types, Folder Structure & Naming Conventions
Key Competencies Focus:

• Thinking: Developing systems for organisation
• Managing Self: Keeping digital spaces tidy and functional
• Using Language, Symbols & Texts: Understanding digital file formats
• Participating and Contributing: Collaborating on digital workspace norms

---

Intended Learning Outcomes

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

1. Identify different common file types (e.g. .docx, .jpg, .mp4, .pdf, .pptx, .xlsx).
2. Understand the importance of folder structures in file management.
3. Apply appropriate naming conventions when saving files.
4. Organise a group of files into named folders with logical structure based on purpose and type.

---

Materials and Resources

• Computers or laptops (1 per student or pair)
• Pre-prepared set of “messy” sample files (digitally provided to students)
• Worksheet: “File Type Detectives” (see below)
• Practical digital activity sheet: “Tidy My Drive” scenario (see below)
• Whiteboard OR Digital board
• Timer

---

Lesson Breakdown (45 minutes)

Time	Activity
0–5 min	Karakia & Quick Starter – Ask: “Have you ever lost a file just when you needed it?” Brief kōrero around poor file organisation. Introduce today’s purpose.
5–10 min	Teaching Input: File Types – Brief discussion with visuals about common file types: docs, images, videos, audio, spreadsheets, presentations.
10–20 min	Activity 1: File Type Detectives (Worksheet) – Students work in pairs to match file icons & names to correct file descriptions and real-world uses.
20–30 min	Teaching Input: Folder Structures & Naming Conventions – Demonstrate live how to: create folders → name folders meaningfully (use dates, subjects, versioning) → save files properly. Cover general rules:

• No spaces (use _ or -)
• Use lowercase (or camelCase)
• Be specific in file names | | 30–42 min | Activity 2: Tidy My Drive (Practical Task) – Students receive (digitally) a "messy" folder of example school files. They must:

1. Identify file type
2. Create and name folders
3. Rename files using proper naming conventions
4. Reorganise files into the new folders | | 42–45 min | Wrap-Up & Exit Ticket – Share 1 tip they learned about file management. Quick quiz (3 questions) on board using whiteboards/cards or an online tool. |

---

Assessment & Reflection

Formative assessment of learning through:

• Worksheet completion
• Observation during practical activity
• Exit ticket mini quiz responses

Self-assessment reflection prompt

• "How confident do you feel now about keeping your school files organised?" (Have them mark themselves on a digital scale 1–5 during pack-up)

---

Resource 1: File Type Detectives (Worksheet)

Name: _____________________________________
Date: ______________________________________

Instructions: Match each file type to its correct description and example use.

File Type	Description	Example Use
.docx
.jpg
.mp4
.pdf
.xlsx
.pptx

Descriptions List (Match to above):

• A formatted text document used for writing.
• An image used for photography and online media.
• A video file, often used for recorded lessons.
• A locked-format document many people use for forms.
• A spreadsheet used in mathematics or finance.
• A slideshow presentation used in class or work.

---

Resource 2: Tidy My Drive (Practical Digital Task)

Scenario Prompt:

Kia ora! You’ve started a busy Year 9 term and suddenly your digital space is a disaster. Files are everywhere – your Drive is a mess! Help yourself out by applying your new organising skills.

You have just downloaded the following files:

• "My speech final version.docx"
• "IMG_8234.jpg"
• "maths assignments mix.xlsx"
• "Term1musicvid.mp4"
• "New Doc (2).docx"
• "BioNotesWeek1.pdf"
• "Welcome_Log.JPG"
• "Presentation_Y9_english.pptx"
• "speech edit final FINAL (1).docx"

Your task:

1. Create 3–4 folders you think make sense (e.g. subjects or types).
2. Rename the files using this format: Subject_Topic_Version/Date
   Example: english_speech_v3.docx
3. Move each file into the correct folder.
4. Take a screenshot of your final folder structure and submit it.

(Bonus: Create your own personal folder structure for Term 1 work)

---

Teacher Extension Ideas (Optional)

• Link this to Digital Citizenship conversations around digital wellbeing.
• Use this to launch a project where students “Marie Kondo” their actual school Google Drives.
• Introduce zip files or compression for more advanced classes.

---

Final Notes for Teachers

This lesson introduces essential digital literacy that supports learners’ long-term capability in managing their digital outcomes, in line with the Digital Technologies | Hangarau Matihiko curriculum. Skills learnt here will help inform work in later NCEA levels where file submission and structured folder usage become crucial.

Let’s wow students with tidy drives and build that lifelong habit of digital organisation!