File Extensions Project (LucidChart Version) Computational Media Description: This project has two objectives. First, you will find the names and identify the types of the common File Extensions used in computing systems. File Extensions tell the computing system what type of data is stored in the file, allowing the computer to properly open and manipulate the data. Second, you will create a “Mind Map” or a graphic representation of the relationships between the File Extensions. We will use the online tools in Google Drive and Google Sites to create these documents. The directions in parts 1, 2, and 3 will outline the procedures needed to create the documents. Examine the directions carefully for techniques to manipulate images, text and relationships in LucidCharts. Remember, these directions represent a starting point for using the software. Be creative, explore, and extend your knowledge of the software tools we will use in this lesson. Directions: Part 1: 1. Copy the File Extensions Table (on the last page of this document) and paste the table into your Google Sites Page called “File Extensions” (Make sure to preserve the table format).

2. Identify the name and type of file extension. (The first two are done as an example). The types of file extensions are shown in the Word Bank (At end of this document)

3. Find five additional file extensions and identify by Extension, Name, and Type

Part 2: Create a Mind Map with LucidChart 1. Go to google.com/drive and log in with your Marist Account.

2. “CREATE – Lucid Chart Diagram” to start a new LucidChart:

3. Select “Mind Map” from the Categories. Click “Blank Mind Mapping” from the templates and then select “Start Drawing”

4. Name the document “Lastname File Extensions”

5. The Mind Map template will be laid out on the page. You can zoom in and out using “Ctrl +” or “Ctrl –“. You can change the color, shape, and position of the nodes in the map. Go to the center node and change the name to “File Extensions.” That is the main idea of this map.

6. Note the instructions in the yellow note object. Click on the “File Extensions” block and then press “Tab” to create “child idea” node.

7. Change the words for “New Idea” to “Microsoft Office”

8. Find the icon for Microsoft Word using Google Images. When you find the icon, Right Click and select “Copy image”

9. Go back to your LucidCharts Document and Select “Edit – Paste” or ‘Ctrl-v’ to paste the Word Icon into the Mind Map.

10. We need to resize the Word icon so we can place the text under the icon. Right Click on the Microsoft Word icon and select “Edit Mask”

11. Resize the Icon so it takes the top 2/3 of the node space. Press “Enter” when completed.

12. Double click the icon and type the file extension and name. Use the Text alignment tools to place the text below the icon.

13. Drag a line between the “Microsoft Office” node and the Word Icon node to make a connection.

14. Continue building out the Map to include all of your File Extensions. Work to use Icons for Every layer in the map. You can also experiment with changing the color, font, and other properties of the nodes or lines. LucidChart documents should save automatically and will be available in your Google Drive.

Part 3: Publishing the Lucid Chart Map to your Google Site File Extensions Page

1. First, we need to establish the link between LucidCharts and Google Docs. Select “File – Google Drive Preferences” to link the accounts.

2. Click “Save Changes” to finish linking accounts.

3. Select “File – Export to Google Drive”

4. Select “PNG” for the format (Portable Network Graphics!). This is the best format for publishing to web pages. Click “Download”.

5. Go to your Google Site “File Extensions” Page. Enter Edit Page mode and then Select “Insert – Drive - Image”

6. Find the image of the LucidChart Mind Map and click “Select”

7. Your Google Sites page should something like:

Grading: (Up to 100 Points)

Category Points Available Earned

Name and Type for each file extension 1 Point each for Max of 35

Structure of Mind Map (Organization) 25

Use of Icons in Mind Map 30

Table Used on Google Site File Extensions page for file extensions, name, and type.

5

Image of LucidChart uploaded and placed on Google Site File extensions page.

5

File Extensions Table:

Extension Name Type

.docx Microsoft Word Document Microsoft Office

.xlsx Microsoft Excel Document Microsoft Office

.pptx

.wp

.txt

.rtf

.avi

.mov

.wma

.mp4

.mp3

.wav

.tiff

.aiff

.png

.gif

.jpg

.html

.bmp

.xml

.py

.java

.zip

.psd

.exe

.app

.apk

.c

.h

.jar

Selected File Extension Types: Text Graphics Audio Video Source Code Microsoft Office Photoshop Corel Office Executable Compressed/Archive Office