Turns out that multitasking actually makes us less productive, not only for adults but also for our youth. Nearly one-third of kids say they chat on the phone, surf the web, send instant messages, watch TV, or listen to music "most of the time" while doing their homework, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation survey. Whatever the consequences of multitasking, they're going to be widespread. The report also found that when students are sitting in front of their computers "studying," they're also doing something else 65 percent of the time.
What will be the long-term effects of multitasking and students' learning?
5 comments:
Beth, I would agree with this finding that multitasking is not productive in the long run for students. I would think that there would be many distractions. As a result, students (and non-students for that matter) are slowed down in work completion (quantity) and quality. But I have to wonder if today's digital natives are actually more productive because this is how they have been socialized....
I often find myself multitasking, and thought that this was a valuable skill. Now I am not so sure.
When I am at work I am always multitasking between software troubleshooting, nextel radio calls, hand signals (noisy environment), supervisor questions, and cross-functional work teams. When I am at home studing for college that is all I focus on. If I am multitasking when I am studying I am not getting the bang for my buck.
I have finally come to realization that I SUCK at multitasking! Took me a few years to figure this out, but at least now I know that maybe it's not me. In fact, your post has helped me realize that we all suck at multitasking! lol...
I echo Debbie's question about today's digital denizens, though.
Beth,
I agree it is better to focus on one thing at time. However you can not always do that at work, school or home for that matter. For example many times we are forced to do many things at once and I don't mean walking and chewing at the same time.
So as instructors we have to develop new methods of instruction that incorporates multitasking.
Plus the students will need to be able to do the same.
R
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