Clean Slate Slides Clean Slate Files
External Brain Academy: Lesson 1
Digital Hygiene & Hierarchy
The Memory Leak
Our Working Memory is like a small table. If it's covered in clutter, we can't do any work.
Clutter Cost:
• Anxiety from "Searching"
• Lost assignments
• Wasted mental energy
Untitled_Doc_Final_2.pdf
Where is this from? What is in it?
The Hierarchy Hack
Moving from "Pile" to "System"
9th Grade
English
Unit 1: Myths
Essay_v1.docx
"Don't make your brain hunt. Tell it exactly where to go."
Naming Power
The "Chaos" Way
Document1.pdf
stuff_for_class.doc
hmwk.jpg
The "Clean" Way
2026-Bio-Notes-Cells.pdf
ENG9_Odyssey_Draft1.doc
MATH_HW_01-18.jpg
Pro-Tip: Use YYYY-MM-DD so files sort themselves!
Drive Rescue Mission
You have 10 minutes to find every "Untitled" document and put it in a "Rescue Bin" folder.
Goal 1
Trash the clutter
Goal 2
Name the orphans
Goal 3
Build the nest
Drive Rescue Checklist Drive Rescue Mission
CLEAN_SLATE_PROTOCOL_V1.0
NAME: ________________________________
DATE: ________________________________
Objective
Reduce the cognitive load on your brain by organizing your digital files. A clean drive means a clear mind.
Pro-Tip
If you're unsure if you need a file, move it to a folder called "MAYBE_TRASH" . If you haven't opened it in 30 days, delete it forever.
CODE NAMES
Standard naming protocol:
[CLASS]_[TOPIC]_[TYPE]_[DATE]
Example:
MATH_Geometry_Quiz_2026-01-18
Cleanup Protocol
1
The "Untitled" Sweep
Search for "Untitled" in your Drive. Rename or delete at least 10 files.
Look for files ending in "(1)" or "Copy of". Delete duplicates.
2
Building the Hive
Create one master folder for the current school year (e.g., "9th Grade").
Inside that folder, create sub-folders for every current class.
Move at least 20 loose files into their correct class folders.
3
Digital Dusting
Empty your computer's Trash / Bin.
Close all browser tabs that you aren't currently using.
Self-Assessment
On a scale of 1-10, how much "brain stress" did your Drive cause you before this?
1 (Zen) 10 (Chaos)
How do you feel now that it's organized?
Tagging Tactics Slides Tag It, Find It
External Brain Academy: Lesson 2
The Power of Metadata
Folders vs. Tags
Folders
"Where did I put that?"
Requires you to remember a location .
A file can usually only be in one place .
Tags
"What is this about?"
Use keywords to pull files to you.
One file can have unlimited tags.
3 Ways to Tag Your Notes
Subject
What is the topic?
#biology #mitosis
Action
What do you need to do?
#to-do #study-this
Priority
How hard is it?
#confusing #urgent
Retrieval Magic
Instead of looking through folders, go to the Search Bar.
Search for:
#to-do #math
Instant result: Every math assignment you haven't finished yet.
#confusing #test-prep
Bio_Photosynthesis_Notes #confusing
Hist_Civil_War_Dates #confusing
The Keyword Hunt
If you couldn't use folders, what 3 tags would you give your most important class notes?
Protocol: Tag everything you touch today.
The Tagging Challenge The Tagging Challenge
META_DATA_LAB_02
NAME: ________________________________
CLASS: ________________________________
The Tag Toolbox
Match the tag type to its purpose. Draw a line to connect them.
#to-do
#test-prep
#confusing
#resource
I need help understanding this.
This is a link, video, or extra info.
I have a specific task to finish here.
This info will be on the final exam.
Scenario Lab
For each file description below, write 3 unique tags that would help you find it later without using folders.
Biology Lab Notes
You recorded the results of a mitosis experiment. You're still a bit confused about "Prophase."
#_________________
#_________________
#_________________
Math Homework (Worksheet 4)
You finished the odd numbers, but you need to finish the even numbers tonight for class tomorrow.
#_________________
#_________________
#_________________
English Essay Draft
A rough draft about Romeo & Juliet. It's for the Unit 1 final project which is worth 30% of your grade.
#_________________
#_________________
#_________________
Your "External Brain" Plan
Go to your notes or file drive. Pick one important file you created this week. What tags did you give it? Why?
Notes in 3D Slides Notes in 3D
External Brain Academy: Lesson 3
Multimodal Mastery
Why Multi-Modal?
Our brains don't just store Text. They store sights, sounds, and connections.
Cognitive Hooks:
• Images = Instant Recall
• Audio = Emotional Tone
• Links = Deeper Context
10x More Memorable!
Add These to Every Page
Visuals
A diagram, a screenshot, or a quick photo of the whiteboard.
Ctrl+Shift+S (Snippet)
Audio
A 30-second summary in your own voice explaining the "big idea."
Insert > Audio Record
Links
The YouTube video from class or the quizlet you'll use to study.
Ctrl+K (Hyperlink)
The "Perfect" Note
Topic: Photosynthesis
Main Points
Happens in the Chloroplasts
Sunlight + CO2 + H2O = Sugar
Plants breathe out Oxygen (Thanks!)
Voice Memo:
0:14 / 0:45
Lesson_Video.mp4
Photo of teacher's diagram
Dimensional Upgrade
Take one note you wrote today. Upgrade it to 3D. Add a Voice Memo, an Image, and a Searchable Tag.
Status: INITIALIZING_3D_WORKFLOW...
3D Note Template The 3D Note Blueprint
PROTOCOL: MULTI_MODAL_STORAGE
REF_ID: 3D-NT-003
Header / Title Area
#subject
#date
#priority
Main Note Canvas
Insert Screenshot or Diagram Here
Key Takeaway
Audio Summary
Record 30 seconds explaining the note to your "future self." Use simple words.
External Links
Class Slideshow
YouTube Tutorial
Research Article
Shortcuts
Win + Shift + S Screenshot
Ctrl + K Insert Link
Alt + N + A Record Audio
"Your brain loves variety. Give it more than just letters to hold onto."
Tech Power Ups Slides Tech Power Ups
External Brain Academy: Lesson 4
Accessibility = Efficiency
Cognitive Budget
Typing, reading, and organizing take Energy.
If you spend all your energy on writing , you have nothing left for thinking .
"Save your brain for the big ideas. Let the tech do the heavy lifting."
Energy Spent
Reading Text
Spelling Words
Typing Out
Speech-to-Text
Think Faster than You Type
Brain-to-Page speed increases by 300%.
No more "how do I spell that?" stalling.
Great for "Rough Draft" brain dumps.
Shortcut Console:
Google Docs Ctrl + Shift + S
Windows (All Apps) Win + H
Mac OS Double-Press Fn
Text-to-Speech
Eyes-Free Editing
Listen to your essay to find errors your eyes missed.
Use for reading long articles while pacing.
Adjust speed (1.5x) to stay focused.
The "Immersion" Mode
"Read while you listen to double your comprehension and cut fatigue."
The Tool Trial
Today, we are testing these "Power Ups." You'll record an essay outline by talking and listen to your notes from last week.
Goal: Find your personal "sweet spot" for efficiency.
Tool Trial Log Tool Trial Log
EXPERIMENT_PHASE: ACCESSIBILITY_TECH
NAME: ________________________________
DATE: ________________________________
The Hypothesis
"If I use tools to handle the mechanical parts of school (typing/reading), then I will have more mental energy for the creative parts (thinking/planning)."
Trial 1: Dictation
Task: Dictate a 3-sentence summary of your weekend or a project idea.
Tool Used:
Google Voice
Win+H
Siri/Other
Efficiency Rating:
Slower than typing
Faster than typing
One word to describe the experience:
Did it help with spelling stress?
Yes
No
Trial 2: Screen Reading
Task: Listen to a paragraph of text while keeping your eyes closed.
Tool Used:
Focus Rating:
Distracting
Super Focused
Ideal Speed Setting:
0.75x 1.0x 1.25x 1.5x 2.0x
Did you catch any errors you missed before?
Yes
No
The Verdict
Which Power Up will you use this week for actual schoolwork?
I will use ________________________ for ________________________.
This will help my brain by ________________________.
System Efficiency Verified
Digital Brain Slides The Digital Brain
External Brain Academy: Final Project
Synthesis & Mastery
The Personal Wiki
A Digital Brain is a collection of linked notes that work together.
Project Features:
• Connected Topics (Links)
• Tagged Retrieval (Metadata)
• Multimodal Evidence (3D)
Note A
Note B
Note C
"Everything is connected. Nothing is lost."
Your Blueprint
01
Subject Selection
Pick one class or unit you are currently studying.
02
Build the Hub
Create a master "Home Page" with links to sub-topics.
03
Apply 3D Tech
Each sub-topic must have an image and a voice memo.
Grading Scale
Organization Folders & Tags
Connectivity Working Links
Accessibility 3D Elements
My Biology Brain
#bio-wiki #unit-4
The Basics
Definitions
Key Diagrams
History of Bio
Experiments
Microscope Lab
The Pea Plant
Cell Observation
Quick Access
Latest Memo
Every blue underlined word is a link to another full note page.
Brain Online
You are no longer just taking notes. You are building a system that thinks for you.
Initial Build Starts Now.
Digital Brain Blueprint The Digital Brain Blueprint
PROJECT_SPECS: KNOWLEDGE_MANAGEMENT_V1
The Mission
Choose one subject or one unit you are currently studying. Your goal is to build an interconnected "Digital Brain" (Personal Wiki) that organizes everything you know about that topic. Instead of scrolling through loose pages, you will create a system where every piece of information is just one click or tag away.
Project Stats
Min. Notes: 5 Pages
Min. Links: 10 Connections
Min. Tags: 3 per Page
DUE DATE: ________________
Construction Checklist
1
The Hub (Home Page)
Create a main page that lists all sub-topics in the unit.
2
Connective Tissue
Add links from the Hub to each sub-page (and back again!).
3
Multimodal Evidence
Each page must have at least one image/diagram and one voice memo summary.
4
Metadata Matrix
Tag pages by difficulty (#confusing, #mastered) and content type (#lab, #quiz-prep).
Mastery Rubric
Category Level 1 (Novice) Level 2 (Pro) Level 3 (Master) Organization Loose notes, no links. Folders and some links. Fully linked "Hub" system. Multimodal (3D) Only text notes. Includes images OR audio. Both images AND audio memos. Retrieval (Tags) No tags used. Subject tags only. Multi-tag system (#todo, #hard).
Pre-Build Planning
CHOSEN SUBJECT:
3 MAIN TOPICS FOR THE HUB:
"Design your system before you build it. Your brain will thank you later."