Okay, educators, let’s be honest. We’ve all got that one drawer in our desk. You know the one – a chaotic mess of pens, paperclips, sticky notes, and random treasures from students. But here’s the thing: in today’s digital world, that overflowing drawer has a clever twin — digital clutter!
Overflowing inboxes, desktops littered with files, and a browser with so many tabs open it is easy to be overwhelmed. Just like that messy drawer, digital clutter can drain our energy, zap our productivity, and leave us feeling stressed.
Just as we conquer the chaos of our classrooms, we can organize our digital spaces. Below are the first steps you can take to a more organized digital life!
Let’s start with your browser bookmarks.
Your mission:
- Open your browser bookmarks.
- Create folders. Think of broad categories like “Lesson Planning,” “Classroom Management,” “EdTech Tools,” etc.
- Declutter! If you haven’t used a bookmark in months, or it’s outdated, say goodbye!
- Organize the rest. Drag and drop your remaining bookmarks into the relevant folders.
Why this works:
- Reduces overwhelm: An organized bookmark bar is visually calming and makes it easier to find what you need.
- Saves time: No more frantic scrolling.
- Boosts efficiency: Quickly access your most used resources, leaving you more time for what matters most – your students!
Happy decluttering! 💻🧹😊
About the Author
Susanne Leslie is a Professional Learning Specialist at Teaching Channel. She holds a B.A. in Sociology and a Master’s in Education. As a parent educator, Susanne’s specialty is Culture and Early Childhood instruction. In her current role, she writes courses and content.
Fun Fact: Susanne has jumped out of two (perfectly good) airplanes!