Managing+Multitasking


 * Article #1: //Mastering Multitasking: Karen Ramirez//**

This article gives a reasonably clear explanation about the effects of multitasking on teenagers. By describing the life of a digital native and their dependence on Twitter, Facebook and text messaging, this article paints a grim picture of the attention abilities of today’s youth. The article goes on to make helpful distinctions between “parallel processing” and “task switching”, both of these idea reaffirm the idea that multitasking is a myth and an impossibility for the brain to do two things at the exact same time. The attempt to do several things at one time does have an effect on the brain. The studies reported in the article suggests that although the overall performance may have not varied, students who use technology during reading or a traditional class lecture are more likely to need extra time on assessments and score consistently lower on recall questions. However, disappointing these results may seem, “multitasking is not going away”. A few things are also sure: multitasking does not make learning impossible; multitasking may challenge learning at first, but will change education “qualitatively” and challenge new abilities in the brain to arise. A few strategies that teachers can grab onto are to give the students control of their multitasking “by engaging them in intentional conversations its promises and limits and by structuring environments in which young people can see the costs and benefits for themselves.”
 * //Summary//**

One of the biggest challenges to education today is the constant interference of technology. I have to admit that I am certainly guilty myself checking my text messages at a stop light or updating my Facebook status while I give a test. We think that we can “multitask”. The reality is that students today, these digital natives, are always doing too many things at one time. In one class they are doing homework for another or they are paying attention to their text messages or perhaps thinking about the next level of angry birds. They listen to music while they study and monitor Facebook while they write papers. The effect on the student’s education is great however. The students are not aware of the teaching that happens in the classroom and so therefore, studying becomes an insurmountable challenge. The information in a classroom comes from writing notes and listening to the teacher and have the conscientiousness to ask questions when they are confused. The preoccupation with their cell phones (which are with them all the time, even in school) causes the students to miss crucial information in the class. The results of this are catastrophic. Student’s grades drop and teachers attempt to compensate by lower their standards. This downward spiral is challenging the American education system.
 * //Reflection//**

Hi Karen,

I read the same article, and I do agree! Students are doing way too much at a time. Our school has a no cell phone during academic hours policy, which is helpful. However, it doesn't help that most of their work is done via the internet. I feel that the more I encourage them to use their time wisely, the less they are side-tracked by other things. Thanks for sharing!

Ilse