Teachers need to be flexible! They must adjust their lessons based on their students’ needs. In addition, they need to capitalize on their students’ unique interests. To do this, they need a shared student folder on the server.
What is a shared student folder?
Many schools have a server that is used for file management. Typically, teachers and students have folders on the server where they save their work. Permissions are used to control who can view or change the contents of the folders. In most cases, students can only access their own folder, whereas teachers can access folders for students in their class or sometimes the entire school.
Have your IT Specialist create a shared student folder on your server.
For teachers to share files with students, they often have to copy and paste a document into EACH student folder. This can be VERY time consuming and is often not feasible if the teacher has multiple classes. The solution is to have a shared student folder.
A shared student folder is a location on the server where teachers can place files. All the students in a particular class or sometimes the entire student body can “read” or open the files in this folder. The files are then viewed or resaved by students into their own folder.
Do you need a shared student folder?
Of course you do!
Not everything can be PLANNED at the beginning of the school year. Spontaneity is part of teaching!
Ask yourself these questions:
- Have you ever stumbled across an informative website you know would be perfect for a particular group of students working on a research project? Can you easily share a bookmark?
- Have you ever realized that some of your students are struggling to complete a task? Are you able to easily share a template that will help them complete their work?
- Have you ever noticed that some of your students are not paying attention or require a review? Are you able to develop a “pop quiz” that can be easily accessed by everyone in the class?
- Have you ever noted that some of your students are struggling with learning a concept? Are you able to create a sample file or instructional video that can easily be viewed by all students?
If you answered YES to any of these questions, then you need a shared student folder on the server.
What can you do with a shared student folder?
There are many types of files you might want to share:
- bookmark to a website or online educational video
- template that offers a starting point for completing a task
- digital assessment tools such as a checklist, review, or quiz
- sample of a completed project that students can review to get ideas
- instructional video that demonstrates the steps to complete a task
Be flexible! Be spontaneous! Improve student learning!
If you don’t have a shared student folder you should request that your IT Specialist create one for you. It is easy for the technician to do and will make a huge difference when you are teaching.