How I Used Cloud Storage to Organize My Learning Resources as an Online Student

Written by Abena Sey

August 1, 2020

I completed my graduate degree at a reputable Canadian institution exclusively online.  My university used an online learning management system through which I submitted assignments, conferred with my colleagues and instructor in class discussions, and had access to other digital resources necessary for my coursework.  While I enjoyed the flexibility and convenience afforded me through distance learning, the amount of paperwork and written communication soon proved overwhelming.  I quickly developed an organization system to manage the large volume of paperwork and learning resources I received from each course.  This strategy simplified my life as an online graduate student, helping me feel more in control of my learning experience.  Using a cloud storage platform, such as Google Drive, was a lifesaver.  I had peace of mind knowing that my learning resources were organized and readily accessible, wherever I had access to a WiFi connection. I could do school work, wherever and whenever I wanted without wasting time as a result.  Below, I share the strategies I used to stay on top of my workflow and remain organized throughout my online learning experience.

Step 1: Create a folder for each course

To Start, create a folder for each course and name the folder the course number or course name, and the term the course takes place (e.g., 1_ED 601T Summer 2016 or 1_An Introduction to 21stC Teaching and Learning). Pro tip: Number each folder so that as you progress through your program, and create more folders for subsequent courses, the folders are ordered chronologically, rather than alphabetically.  This is helpful, especially because some courses might have similar names or course numbers, and you don’t want to waste time searching for the course you are working on.  The first document to place in your folder is the course syllabus. You will want to keep this document readily accessible, as you will reference it throughout the length of the course.

Step 2: Create folders within the course folder 

Read the course syllabus carefully to have an idea of assignment expectations, deadlines, and weightings.  Use this information to create folders within the course folder to organize each part of the course.  For instance, I created a folder for the weekly reading tasks and notes I made on the literature, and created a folder for each assignment and labeled it accordingly.  Within each assignment folder, I created folders for notes, original discussion responses, responses to peers, a rubric, if supplied, and a separate folder for the final assignment.  In a course, the final assignment is typically heavily weighted in the final course mark and is usually more involved, so I organized accordingly.  Within the final assignment folder, I created a separate folder for research notes, the rough draft of my assignment, and the final draft that would be submitted through the learning management system.

Step 3: Colour-code the course folder

Another organizational strategy I used was colour-coding each course folder.  I chose colours that reflected the season my course took place, e.g., shades of blue for the winter semester, shades of green for the spring semester, yellow for the summer semester, and red for the fall semester.  This served as a visual representation for my progress in the program.  With each passing term, I knew that I was one course closer to finishing my degree.

For more, click on the following link to access “Your Guide To Online Learning Success: Strategies To Help You Achieve Personal Success As An Online Student” By Abena Sey B.Ed, M.Ed