Learning objective
Understanding Formats
File Types & Extensions
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Welcome to File Types & Extensions! In this strand, you will explore how computers recognize different kinds of information—from documents and images to audio, video, and code—and learn how to choose, convert, and manage file formats for any project.
Text & Pictures
Recognising basic file icons for text and pictures.
Let's Go!
Learn
Computers use special icons so you know what is inside a file before you open it! A document icon usually shows text lines, while an image icon shows a tiny picture.
Extension (.ext)
MATCH
File Purpose & Icon
Try it yourself
Sort the files!
🚀 Open a practice space
🌟 Student Project GuideSuccess Criteria & WAGOLL (What A Good One Looks Like)
🎯 Task Success Criteria (Rubric)
Foundation
Recognise that files store different things like pictures and words.
Developing
Identify text documents vs picture files by their visual icons.
Secure (Goal)
Match picture and text files to the correct app to open them.
Mastery
Explain why pictures and text open in different apps. Typing: 5 WPM.
👀 What A Good One Looks Like (WAGOLL)
Exemplar Standard
A top-tier student project for Text & Pictures includes:
- Core Deliverable: Sort the files!
- Target Quality: Match picture and text files to the correct app to open them.
- Excellence & Polish: Explain why pictures and text open in different apps. Typing: 5 WPM.
📁
Save to Your Website Portfolio:
When you finish creating your project in your software, copy the share link or take a screenshot and publish it onto your student portfolio website!
⭐Self-Assessment: How confident do you feel with this skill?
Reflect
Learning check
Teacher setup, curriculum links and progress descriptors
Spark support
Routine: See, Think, Wonder
Achievement pathway
- Foundation: Recognise that files store different things like pictures and words.
- Developing: Identify text documents vs picture files by their visual icons.
- Secure: Match picture and text files to the correct app to open them.
- Mastering: Explain why pictures and text open in different apps. Typing: 5 WPM.
Curriculum links
Curriculum strand: CM.01.B.1.2
Outcome: FT-O-01 — Recognising basic file icons for text and pictures.
PYP: Form · Digital symbols help us identify different types of media.
Learner profile: Inquirer
Competency tags
Gate support
Accessibility alternative:
Teacher override: allow
Locked level
Level 2: Audio & Video
Complete the previous learning check to unlock this next level.
Audio & Video
Identifying audio, video, and multimedia files.
Learning objective
Learning About: Audio & Video. Learning To: Play media files. Learning To Be: Communicator.
Let's Go!
Learn
Audio files (like music or voice recordings) only play sound. Video files contain both moving pictures and sound! Checking the icon helps you choose the right app to open them.
Extension (.ext)
MATCH
File Purpose & Icon
Try it yourself
Listen and watch!
🚀 Open a practice space
🌟 Student Project GuideSuccess Criteria & WAGOLL (What A Good One Looks Like)
🎯 Task Success Criteria (Rubric)
Foundation
Recognise sound and video files by their icons.
Developing
Play audio and video files using the correct media player.
Secure (Goal)
Distinguish between audio-only files and video files.
Mastery
Select the best media format for a podcast vs a movie clip. Typing: 10 WPM.
👀 What A Good One Looks Like (WAGOLL)
Exemplar Standard
A top-tier student project for Audio & Video includes:
- Core Deliverable: Listen and watch!
- Target Quality: Distinguish between audio-only files and video files.
- Excellence & Polish: Select the best media format for a podcast vs a movie clip. Typing: 10 WPM.
📁
Save to Your Website Portfolio:
When you finish creating your project in your software, copy the share link or take a screenshot and publish it onto your student portfolio website!
⭐Self-Assessment: How confident do you feel with this skill?
Reflect
Learning check
Teacher setup, curriculum links and progress descriptors
Spark support
Routine: Zoom In
Achievement pathway
- Foundation: Recognise sound and video files by their icons.
- Developing: Play audio and video files using the correct media player.
- Secure: Distinguish between audio-only files and video files.
- Mastering: Select the best media format for a podcast vs a movie clip. Typing: 10 WPM.
Curriculum links
Curriculum strand: CM.01.B.1.2
Outcome: FT-O-02 — Identifying audio, video, and multimedia files.
PYP: Function · Sound and moving images require specific digital formats.
Learner profile: Communicator
Competency tags
Gate support
Accessibility alternative:
Teacher override: allow
Locked level
Level 3: File Extensions
Complete the previous learning check to unlock this next level.
File Extensions
Understanding 3-letter file extensions (.txt, .jpg, .mp3, .mp4).
Learning objective
Learning About: Extensions. Learning To: Read file tags. Learning To Be: Thinker.
Let's Go!
Learn
The three or four letters after the dot in a file name are called the File Extension! They act like a label telling the computer exactly what kind of file it is.
Extension (.ext)
MATCH
File Purpose & Icon
Try it yourself
Spot the extension!
🚀 Open a practice space
🌟 Student Project GuideSuccess Criteria & WAGOLL (What A Good One Looks Like)
🎯 Task Success Criteria (Rubric)
Foundation
Recognise the dot and letters at the end of a file name.
Developing
Identify .txt, .jpg, .mp3, and .mp4 extensions.
Secure (Goal)
Match file extensions to their corresponding file categories.
Mastery
Explain how changing an extension affects file opening. Typing: 15 WPM.
👀 What A Good One Looks Like (WAGOLL)
Exemplar Standard
A top-tier student project for File Extensions includes:
- Core Deliverable: Spot the extension!
- Target Quality: Match file extensions to their corresponding file categories.
- Excellence & Polish: Explain how changing an extension affects file opening. Typing: 15 WPM.
📁
Save to Your Website Portfolio:
When you finish creating your project in your software, copy the share link or take a screenshot and publish it onto your student portfolio website!
⭐Self-Assessment: How confident do you feel with this skill?
Reflect
Learning check
Teacher setup, curriculum links and progress descriptors
Spark support
Routine: Think, Puzzle, Explore
Achievement pathway
- Foundation: Recognise the dot and letters at the end of a file name.
- Developing: Identify .txt, .jpg, .mp3, and .mp4 extensions.
- Secure: Match file extensions to their corresponding file categories.
- Mastering: Explain how changing an extension affects file opening. Typing: 15 WPM.
Curriculum links
Curriculum strand: CM.02.B.1.1
Outcome: FT-O-03 — Understanding 3-letter file extensions (.txt, .jpg, .mp3, .mp4).
PYP: Connection · File extensions tell the operating system how to handle data.
Learner profile: Thinker
Competency tags
Gate support
Accessibility alternative:
Teacher override: allow
Locked level
Level 4: Document Formats
Complete the previous learning check to unlock this next level.
Document Formats
Comparing document formats (.docx, .pdf, .csv, .pptx).
Learning objective
Learning About: Document Formats. Learning To: Choose file types. Learning To Be: Principled.
Let's Go!
Learn
Different tasks need different document formats! Word documents (.docx) are built for writing, presentations (.pptx) are built for slides, and CSV files (.csv) hold raw structured data.
Extension (.ext)
MATCH
File Purpose & Icon
Try it yourself
Match documents to tasks!
🚀 Open a practice space
🌟 Student Project GuideSuccess Criteria & WAGOLL (What A Good One Looks Like)
🎯 Task Success Criteria (Rubric)
Foundation
Differentiate between editable documents and presentations.
Developing
Recognise .docx for word processing, .pptx for slides, and .csv for data.
Secure (Goal)
Select the appropriate format (.docx vs .pdf vs .csv) based on user needs.
Mastery
Explain why .csv is used for spreadsheet data transfer. Typing: 20 WPM.
👀 What A Good One Looks Like (WAGOLL)
Exemplar Standard
A top-tier student project for Document Formats includes:
- Core Deliverable: Match documents to tasks!
- Target Quality: Select the appropriate format (.docx vs .pdf vs .csv) based on user needs.
- Excellence & Polish: Explain why .csv is used for spreadsheet data transfer. Typing: 20 WPM.
📁
Save to Your Website Portfolio:
When you finish creating your project in your software, copy the share link or take a screenshot and publish it onto your student portfolio website!
⭐Self-Assessment: How confident do you feel with this skill?
Reflect
Learning check
Teacher setup, curriculum links and progress descriptors
Spark support
Routine: See, Think, Wonder
Achievement pathway
- Foundation: Differentiate between editable documents and presentations.
- Developing: Recognise .docx for word processing, .pptx for slides, and .csv for data.
- Secure: Select the appropriate format (.docx vs .pdf vs .csv) based on user needs.
- Mastering: Explain why .csv is used for spreadsheet data transfer. Typing: 20 WPM.
Curriculum links
Curriculum strand: CM.02.B.1.1
Outcome: FT-O-04 — Comparing document formats (.docx, .pdf, .csv, .pptx).
PYP: Responsibility · Choosing appropriate document formats enables effective communication.
Learner profile: Principled
Competency tags
Gate support
Accessibility alternative:
Teacher override: allow
Locked level
Level 5: Compression & Export
Complete the previous learning check to unlock this next level.
Compression & Export
File compression (.zip), image formats (.png vs .jpg), and exports.
Learning objective
Learning About: Compression. Learning To: Zip & export. Learning To Be: Knowledgeable.
Let's Go!
Learn
File size matters! Large video or image files use up storage and take forever to email. Creating a .zip folder squishes files together for fast sending, while choosing .png gives clear background transparency.
Extension (.ext)
MATCH
File Purpose & Icon
Try it yourself
Zip and compress!
🚀 Open a practice space
🌟 Student Project GuideSuccess Criteria & WAGOLL (What A Good One Looks Like)
🎯 Task Success Criteria (Rubric)
Foundation
Recognise that large media files take longer to send or upload.
Developing
Compress multiple files into a single .zip archive.
Secure (Goal)
Choose between .png (transparent/sharp) and .jpg (compressed photo) for graphics.
Mastery
Calculate file size savings when compressing folders or converting images. Typing: 25 WPM.
👀 What A Good One Looks Like (WAGOLL)
Exemplar Standard
A top-tier student project for Compression & Export includes:
- Core Deliverable: Zip and compress!
- Target Quality: Choose between .png (transparent/sharp) and .jpg (compressed photo) for graphics.
- Excellence & Polish: Calculate file size savings when compressing folders or converting images. Typing: 25 WPM.
📁
Save to Your Website Portfolio:
When you finish creating your project in your software, copy the share link or take a screenshot and publish it onto your student portfolio website!
⭐Self-Assessment: How confident do you feel with this skill?
Reflect
Learning check
Teacher setup, curriculum links and progress descriptors
Spark support
Routine: I used to think...
Achievement pathway
- Foundation: Recognise that large media files take longer to send or upload.
- Developing: Compress multiple files into a single .zip archive.
- Secure: Choose between .png (transparent/sharp) and .jpg (compressed photo) for graphics.
- Mastering: Calculate file size savings when compressing folders or converting images. Typing: 25 WPM.
Curriculum links
Curriculum strand: CM.03.B.1.1
Outcome: FT-O-05 — File compression (.zip), image formats (.png vs .jpg), and exports.
PYP: Perspective · Optimising file sizes and formats ensures efficient digital sharing.
Learner profile: Knowledgeable
Competency tags
Gate support
Accessibility alternative:
Teacher override: allow
Locked level
Level 6: Compatibility & Conversion
Complete the previous learning check to unlock this next level.
Compatibility & Conversion
Cross-platform compatibility, file conversion tools, and code formats.
Learning objective
Learning About: Compatibility. Learning To: Convert & troubleshoot. Learning To Be: Reflective.
Let's Go!
Learn
Not all computers run the same software! Converting proprietary file formats into open web standards (like .mp3, .pdf, or .html) ensures anyone on any device can open and view your work without errors.
Extension (.ext)
MATCH
File Purpose & Icon
Try it yourself
Convert and troubleshoot!
🚀 Open a practice space
🌟 Student Project GuideSuccess Criteria & WAGOLL (What A Good One Looks Like)
🎯 Task Success Criteria (Rubric)
Foundation
Identify when a file fails to open due to missing software.
Developing
Use online or built-in conversion tools to convert between formats (.wav to .mp3, .png to .jpg).
Secure (Goal)
Troubleshoot file compatibility issues across different operating systems (Windows, Mac, ChromeOS).
Mastery
Explain how plain-text code files (.html, .css, .json) structure modern web apps. Typing: 30+ WPM.
👀 What A Good One Looks Like (WAGOLL)
Exemplar Standard
A top-tier student project for Compatibility & Conversion includes:
- Core Deliverable: Convert and troubleshoot!
- Target Quality: Troubleshoot file compatibility issues across different operating systems (Windows, Mac, ChromeOS).
- Excellence & Polish: Explain how plain-text code files (.html, .css, .json) structure modern web apps. Typing: 30+ WPM.
📁
Save to Your Website Portfolio:
When you finish creating your project in your software, copy the share link or take a screenshot and publish it onto your student portfolio website!
⭐Self-Assessment: How confident do you feel with this skill?
Reflect
Learning check
Teacher setup, curriculum links and progress descriptors
Spark support
Routine: Step Inside
Achievement pathway
- Foundation: Identify when a file fails to open due to missing software.
- Developing: Use online or built-in conversion tools to convert between formats (.wav to .mp3, .png to .jpg).
- Secure: Troubleshoot file compatibility issues across different operating systems (Windows, Mac, ChromeOS).
- Mastering: Explain how plain-text code files (.html, .css, .json) structure modern web apps. Typing: 30+ WPM.
Curriculum links
Curriculum strand: CM.03.B.1.1
Outcome: FT-O-06 — Cross-platform compatibility, file conversion tools, and code formats.
PYP: Reflection · Understanding file structures allows seamless cross-platform interoperability.
Learner profile: Reflective
Competency tags
Gate support
Accessibility alternative:
Teacher override: allow