Learning with iPad - "Digital Backpack" Productivity with Files

Context

A messy backpack can make it impossible to find what you need. The same is true for our digital lives. This lesson introduces students to the Files app, the command centre for all their documents. It teaches them the essential life skill of digital organisation, moving them from digital clutter to digital clarity.

This is more than a tour of an app; it's a lesson in creating a system for success. Students will learn to think like an organiser, creating a logical folder structure that mirrors how they would organise a physical binder. They will learn to save, sort, and manage their schoolwork, projects, and creative files with confidence.

By mastering their digital backpack, students will save time, reduce stress, and build a foundational skill for managing information that will serve them throughout their academic and professional lives.

Preparation & Flow

For this lesson, students will need an iPad with the Files app. The teacher should provide a few sample files (e.g., a PDF, an image, a Pages document) for students to work with.

The Messy Backpack Analogy (5 mins)

Start with a relatable scenario: "Imagine you're looking for last night's maths homework, but your backpack is full of loose papers from every subject. How does that feel?"

Introduce the Files app as the digital equivalent of a perfectly organised backpack and binder.

Tour of the Digital Backpack (10 mins)

Project the Files app and guide students through the main interface:

The Sidebar: Point out the different locations like "On My iPad" and "iCloud Drive."

Creating Folders: Demonstrate how to create a new folder and give it a name.

The Search Bar: Highlight the powerful search function for finding files quickly.

The Folder System Challenge (15 mins)

Challenge students to create their main organisational structure. The task:

Create a main folder called "School Year 202X".

Inside that folder, create a subfolder for each of their school subjects (e.g., "Math," "Science," "History," "English").

Organise Your Files (15 mins)

Distribute the sample files to the students via AirDrop or a shared link.

Students must save these files to their iPad and then move each one into the correct subject folder they just created.

Guide them through the process of selecting a file, tapping "Move," and navigating to the destination folder.

Find It Fast! (5 mins)

To conclude, give students a quick challenge: "Find your 'History' folder. Now, find the science diagram image." This reinforces their ability to navigate their new system.

Possible Extensions

Tagging for Priority: Introduce how to add colour-coded tags (e.g., "Urgent," "To Do," "Done") to files for another layer of organisation.

From the LearnGrowCreate Team

Main author: Sharon