Coach’s Corner is a DIEEC blog dedicated to providing fresh ideas for your practice. Meghan Julia Pallante is our featured blogger and provides new content on a monthly basis.
Meghan Julia Pallante
Meghan is a quality improvement specialist and has been with DIEEC for over ten years. She holds a master’s degree in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of Delaware.
Spring Cleaning for Technology
March 2026
It may be hard to believe since many of us still have snow on the ground, but spring is just around the corner! Spring represents a time for new beginnings and an opportunity to let go of things that no longer serve us. As we embark on spring cleaning adventures in our homes and programs, it’s also a great time to do a “technology cleanup!”
What is technology cleanup?
Just as we might scrub our classrooms and offices for spring, a technology cleanup refreshes the digital spaces we inhabit every day. It’s about more than just saving storage; it’s a proactive way to boost your productivity, sharpen your focus, and ensure your technology runs safely and smoothly in the year ahead.
Below are some steps to get you started with spring cleaning for your technology.
Digital Decluttering
Think of all the things that have transitioned to a digital format- documents, photos, books, and so much more. These are saved on our phones, tablets, laptops, and in the cloud. In addition, old emails can also take up space on your device or virtual/cloud storage. Digital clutter also makes it harder to find what you need, which can lead to anxiety and overwhelm. Don’t miss important correspondence or max out your storage on things you no longer need- declutter!
Email clean up
How many emails do you currently have sitting in your inbox? How many of them do you actually need?
- Delete or archive old emails.
- Unsubscribe from listservs you are no longer interested in and promotional emails. Often, there’s an unsubscribe link right in the email.
Photo Overload
Having a camera at all times is great, but scrolling through thousands of photos to find the one you want is definitely not. Delete the ones you don’t need: the blurry shots, the 9 extras you took just to get one good one, the accidental pic of the inside of your purse. Keep the ones that are useful and meaningful.
- Overwhelmed by the sheer number of photos? Try these tips from the New York Times.
App Audit
Go through your devices and take inventory of your apps.
- Consider deleting any apps that you have not used in the last 6 months.
- Organize your home screen with your most important apps.
- Create folders for the apps that you do not use frequently.
Organizing
Think of your digital files like papers in a filing cabinet. How do you find what you need?
Using Folders
Create folders to organize your files, and then make it a habit to file new items right away. You’ll be able to find what you need much more easily.
- Digital photo albums are like folders: create albums for specific events, people or seasons.
- Organize your most important apps on your device’s home screen. Create folders for those you don’t use frequently.
- Already using folders? Take a few minutes to review the contents and move anything that is out of place to its correct home.
Organize Passwords
These days, it seems like everything we use requires a password!
- Store all of your passwords in a secure location. Google and Apple have password managers that you can access with facial recognition or a master password.
- If your device has a notes app, you can store them in a locked note that you can access with facial recognition.
Maintenance
- Update your devices and apps to the latest versions. Often, these updates include security patches, improved performance, and new features.
- Make backups. Don’t lose your important documents and photos!
- Cloud storage is a simple way to make sure you always have access to your photos and files.
- A few popular options for photo storage in the cloud include Google Photos, Amazon Photos, Dropbox, and iCloud (for Apple users).
- Dropbox, Google Drive, and iCloud are also good options for files. Backup your contracts, handbooks, forms, and templates.
- If you prefer to use a physical option for backups and storage, an external hard drive can be a relatively inexpensive option.
- Cloud storage is a simple way to make sure you always have access to your photos and files.
- Scan for viruses– if you don’t have a virus scan regularly scheduled, now is a good time to do one. Not sure where to start? Here are some reviews of free antivirus options.
Social media refresh
If you have social media channels for your program, it is good practice to refresh them at least once a year.
- Make sure all program information (hours, contact info) is up to date.
- This is a great time to update photos and show off recent activities you’re proud of!
- Looking to up your social media game? Learn about features for scheduling posts and creating reels and stories. YouTube has lots of tutorials on how to navigate all forms of social media!
These simple steps can help your digital space feel more organized as we move into spring!
Please note that the resources above are shared for informational purposes; DIEEC does not endorse any specific products mentioned in these articles.
