M.A. Hochberg’s Technology for Teaching

I’ve written about file names earlier (see below) but it has become more important to name a file simply and completely. Recently, two new reasons have popped up, one trivial, the other much more important, to include the file extension in the name.

The file extension are the characters after the period in a file name. For example,

MyBookReport.doc

or

MyCountryReport.pages

The extension helps identify which program will open the file.

Windows computers automatically add the file extension to any file name. Depending on the settings, Mac computers may or may not add the file name and may or may not show it.

Here’s the trivial problem. If a file does not have a file extension added, Mac OS 10.5 (Leopard) does not display the icon or ‘quick view’ correctly. The file is identified correctly and it will open in the correct program.

Here’s the bigger problem—and it will become bigger next year as more staff and students begin using the files1 server to store their files. When a file is created without a file extension on a Mac and put on the files1 server, then reopened on the Mac, it loses the correct application.

For example, if a MS Word file is saved without a file extension on a Mac, copied to a files1 server, then the copy on the files1 server is reopened, it will reopen in Text Edit. Fortunately, if you add the correct extension, it opens without any problems

Since students save all their work on the server, they will see this more often. We can save a lot of bewilderment and frustration with a little preparation.

Start by setting Finder to show file extensions (Go to Finder, Preferences, Advanced, Show All File Extensions).

Next check the “file save” options for all your applications. The box labeled “Append File Extensions” should be checked.

Finally, teach students and staff what file extensions mean.

One final tip—only include one period in a file name. To see more about naming files, go to

http://blogs.4j.lane.edu/hochberg_m/2008/02/21/use-numbers-and-letters-only-when-naming-a-file-folder-drive-or-computer/

I set up 4 more digital cameras yesterday. These are Canon PowerShots A460. Better than the earlier models but they still are a bit confusing for the average user.

One particular annoyance was the size of the memory card that came with them—only 16 MB! Even when I shrink the default picture size, they will only hold 26 photos, which is not enough for most classes.

The next challenge will be getting the photos to a folder where the students can use them. Depending on the student’s age, teaching them how to retrieve a photo from one place on the server and save it on another can be confusing. Worse, iPhoto does let you change or choose the default storage location. That means the student’s photos are tied to a specific computer or they have to save them in iPhoto, & drag a copy to the file location. For most, it would be easier to drag it to the desktop, then to a folder.

The other, simpler option, is to let them do all their editing in MS Word. It has decent photo editing tools and the students can save the file where ever they want.

I wonder what kind of photo tools Pages has?

With all the changes in our classroom configurations, we created new room folders on the school server. It certainly made it easier to get folders for everyone but…..

you also have to change the permissions for the new classroom folder so students can save their work in their folders. Here’s what to do:

1. Connect to the server and open the Rooms folder.
2. Select one of the classroom folders (i.e., mlrm20).
3. Press Command-I to see the Ownership and Permissions.
4. In the Owner field, after “4jNET\” type the user name that students use to log in (i.e., mlrm20).
5. Click on “Apply to enclosed items.”
6. Repeat for each class folder that is having problems.

Thanks to Peggy for teaching me this—and thank goodness it was only one class that couldn’t save their work!