World Backup Day–March 31st Every Year
March 31st is called World Backup Day. At least once a year, I remind you to backup your data files to an external drive (like a flash drive). This is one that isn’t connected to your local computer so can’t be compromised if you get a virus. It’s good to always backup data to cloud drives or a different drive on your computer but once a year, do the entire collection of data files to what is called an ‘air gap’ drive–one that is separated from any internet connection.
How to do this
There are various ways to back up your data. You can back up your data to an external device or a cloud-based backup service, or both. You might even make more than one backup to external storage devices and keep the two copies in different places.
To back up PC/Windows, use Windows Backup:
- Click the start button.
- Go to Control Panel
- Select ‘Backup and Restore’
- Select ‘Backup Now’
From there, select a drive with sufficient space and start. Be forewarned: If you have a lot of data, it takes a while. You can work on your computer while it’s backing up; it’ll just be slower.
Mac: Use the Time Machine tool.
Chromebook: No need. Everything is saved to the cloud. Now if you want to backup your cloud, use a service like Backupify.
In these 169 tech-centric situations, you get an overview of pedagogy—the tech topics most important to your teaching—as well as practical strategies to address most classroom tech situations, how to scaffold these to learning, and where they provide the subtext to daily tech-infused education.
Today’s tip: Backup Your Computer Often
Category: Maintenance, Security, PCs, Macs, Chromebooks
Q: I’ve had some virus problems and it reminds me that I need to backup my computer. What’s the easiest way?
A: World Backup Day is March 31st. Here’s how to take advantage of this once-a-year activity (see above). Besides those already discussed, you can:
- use an auto-backup program like Acronis creates a backup and a mirror image on a schedule
- email important documents to yourself each time you make changes to it (like lesson plans)
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Jacqui Murray has been teaching K-18 technology for 30 years. She is the editor/author of over a hundred tech ed resources including a K-12 technology curriculum, K-8 keyboard curriculum, K-8 Digital Citizenship curriculum. She is an adjunct professor in tech ed, Master Teacher, webmaster for four blogs, CSTA presentation reviewer, freelance journalist on tech ed topics, contributor to NEA Today, and author of the tech thrillers, To Hunt a Sub and Twenty-four Days. You can find her resources at Structured Learning.
