Think before you save

Friday, June 18th, 2010 | e-Learning pioneers

The e-pioneer fights e-clutter.

One of the unintended consequences of electronic productivity tools is that far too many e-items are accumulated: electronic files, emails, address records, calendar items, phone numbers and to-do entries on desktop computers, laptops, file servers and even cell phones.

The increasing capacity in memory and storage of electronic devices allows the accumulation of e-items.  E-clutter is a term used to describe unused e-items kept on electronic equipment.

In the past, when memory had to be used sparingly, people were careful to store only relevant and useful information.  Now memory is freely available and we have become careless.  It is so easy to press the “save” button to keep an e-item just in case it is wanted in the future.

A problem is created in that countless hours are spent searching, shuffling and manipulating electronic e-items. It is estimated that as much as 25% of an office worker’s time is wasted searching for information needed to make decisions or to complete tasks.

Teachers can likewise waste many hours searching through e-clutter.  The e-pioneer must help teachers to reduce the amount of time used in sifting through endless lists looking for required information.  Two simple principles must be applied:

Store e-items such a way that you can easily find them.

Periodically, go through e-items and get rid of the e-clutter.

Click here for more food for thought for e-pioneers.

Tags: e-pioneer, technology