All articles tagged with #digital tools
A University of Tokyo study finds handwriting on paper strengthens memory encoding and recall more than typing on tablets or smartphones, with MRI showing stronger hippocampal and related brain activity; the fixed spatial cues and tactile feel of paper appear to enhance learning and may influence creativity, even as digital tools offer convenience.
The Old Farmer’s Almanac, a historic publication since 1792, will continue its annual print edition and expand its digital offerings in 2026, maintaining its reputation for reliable weather forecasts and seasonal wisdom, despite rumors of ceasing publication.
The article explores the potential of AI productivity apps, like Google's NotebookLM, to enhance efficiency and creativity by organizing and summarizing information. While these tools can streamline tasks and act as a 'second brain,' they also pose challenges such as potential inaccuracies and the risk of confusing productivity with busyness. The piece highlights the balance between using AI to manage mundane tasks and ensuring it doesn't lead to procrastination or overwhelm. As AI evolves, future tools may include autonomous agents capable of performing more complex tasks.
The article highlights 14 free online tools that can perform various tasks directly in a web browser, eliminating the need for paid desktop utilities. These tools include ILovePDF for PDF conversions, Giphy for creating GIFs, Image Compressor for reducing image sizes, Smallpdf for editing PDFs, ZIP Extractor for unzipping files, QRCodeMonkey for generating QR codes, UnitConverters for unit conversions, iLoveIMG for watermarking images, Canva for graphic design, Image to Text Converter for extracting text from images, Audio Cutter Online for trimming audio clips, RedKetchup Color Picker for identifying colors in images, Google Translate for translations, and Calculator.net for various calculations.
The author, who has ADHD, shares their struggles with distractions and prioritization, and how they have found a combination of digital and analog tools to manage their work and personal life. They discuss using tools like Asana, Trello, Streak for Gmail, and Workona to organize tasks and projects, but also emphasize the importance of using an analog bullet journal for reflection and perspective. The author highlights the need for a personalized system that combines digital and analog tools to effectively manage their ADHD symptoms and improve productivity.
Art schools across the US are offering courses that prepare young artists to code with machine learning or employ programs like Midjourney, Stable Diffusion, and DALL-E 2. Lance Weiler, a filmmaker and professor at Columbia University, is teaching his students how to use AI programs like ChatGPT and Midjourney to create immersive performances that combine man and machine. While some artists see AI as a threat to their business models, Weiler believes that AI can be a creative partner and is preparing his students for an art world that is gradually embracing the latest digital tools.