Data Storage Basics

👩‍🏫 Teacher’s Guide

Objective
Students will describe basic data storage ideas including file size, storage devices, and the difference between local storage and cloud storage.

Teaching Notes

• Explain file size as how much space a file takes.
• Use examples: photos smaller than videos; videos bigger than text.
• Compare storage devices: hard drive, SSD, USB drive.
• Discuss local vs cloud storage with simple pros and cons.

🧒 Student Worksheet

Concept and Helping Material

Data storage is where computers keep files. Some storage is inside a device, and some is in the cloud. Different files take different amounts of space, and storage can fill up.

Computer Vocabulary and Definition

• — A place where files are kept.
• — How much space a file uses.
• — A unit for measuring storage space.
• — Fast storage inside many computers.
• — Online storage you can access through the internet.

Computer QA

1. What is storage?
2. What is file size?
3. What is a gigabyte?
4. What is an SSD?
5. What is cloud storage?
6. True or False: Videos usually take more space than text.
7. True or False: Storage can get full.
8. Name one storage device.
9. Where is local storage?
10. Where is cloud storage?
11. What happens if storage is full?
12. What is one way to free space?
13. Can photos be stored in the cloud?
14. Why is cloud storage useful?
15. Why is local storage useful?
16. What file type is usually biggest?
17. True or False: An SSD is a kind of storage.
18. What is one example of a small file?
19. What should you do before deleting important files?
20. Who can help you manage storage safely?

Computer Prtactices

• Big or small? Sort file types by size: text, photo, song, video.
• Storage map: Draw device storage vs cloud storage and label both.
• Space saver plan: Write 3 safe ways to free storage space.
• Unit talk: Write what you think 1 gigabyte could hold (many photos).

Reflection

• What is one reason cloud storage is helpful?
• What can you do if your device storage is full?