Module+3

=Module 3 - Working with electronic data =

When working with computers, all information is electronic, and we call this data. Data can be stored in many different forms. You can have image data, document data, financial data, etc. And, as introduced in Module 1, different programs create the different types of data. For example, if I wanted to write my syllabus, I would use a word processing program like MS-Word. If I wanted to calculate grades, I would use a spreadsheet program like Excel. Any data that I create, is then stored in the files that I save.

Electronic organization is one of the most important things to know when it comes to using the computer. If you create a file and cannot find it, or you lose something that you created, it can become less fun and more frustrating when using the computer.
 * Staying organized electronically **

An important point, especially to anyone new to this environment: Using the computer is like learning anything else, sometimes you will have to go through the school of hard knocks to get to your end result. Any error you make, everyone else (including me) has made at some point in time. It is important to not compare your skills to another. You are the driver of the computer, and you have to go at your own speed.

When working with electronic information, you can either have files or folders. Files are what you create in the application, like Word or Excel, and Folders are what you create using the OS or Application, which allows you to organize everything in this virtual environment.

**Folders:** In an electronic environment, folders are exactly like paper folders we use to place sheets of paper into our physical file cabinets. The files are the pieces of paper, and the folders are how you categorize. Information on computers is considered electronic, until it is printed. So, when you are trying to organize your electronic data, you need to create a virtual folder environment to save your files so you can find them.  This example shows a basic idea:

 1. Select the location you want the folder to go.
 * To create a folder:**
 * Right click the location and choose New Folder


 * Important:** When creating a folder you want to make sure you are "inside" the folder you want the new folder to go. For example, if I wanted to put a folder in the Class Wiki folder, I need to make sure I am inside of that folder before I right click to add the new folder.


 * Also note:** Folders can also be called Directories. If you have a folder inside of another folder (like the folder called documents that is inside of the folder Class Wiki in the above example), they are called sub-folders or sub-directories.