Mastering+Multitasking

One article that was assigned to me was //Mastering Multitasking.// I sort of felt like I was hand picked for this article, as it defines my working habits to a T. But of course, it couldn’t have been, as the instructor doesn’t know my working habits.

Right now at my desk, I have two computers and each computer is set up with two monitors. Each monitor has a unique purpose, one I check my email, the second I have Blackboard up and running, the third is for service help tickets and the fourth is getting work done. I also have my iPhone with text messages coming in throughout the day. I go back and forth between these four monitors all day long and get a lot of work done. When for some reason I am at a meeting with just my laptop, I feel out of sorts, like I am not getting enough work done. I know I could do more. The one thing that hit me when reading this article is the admission that multi-tasking is not going away. So instead of trying to preach to students not to do it, we should instead embrace it and inform of best use strategies. I know if someone took 3 of my monitors away, I would be lost. Same goes for students.

Having said that, it is only common sense that for complex problems, we can only focus one at a time. The article verifies that. And there are times, with myself, when I am working on a complex project, I will walk away and go to a round with just one monitor. But that in itself is a form of a strategy. But it also mentioned that even if a student is multitasking, it doesn’t necessarily mean the student is not learning. It may just take a few minutes longer.

So since multitasking is not going away, the best part of this article is just to be upfront with students and let them know about multitasking and provide them with the assignment to test their abilities and further define strategies. The article mentions to give the students the facts. If they know how their memory may be lacking, they will know ways to turn off multitasking when needed. If they don’t know, they’ll just continue one. Again, master it and embrace it.

There were for lessons that teachers can provide students as a way of getting this message across. They range from remembering a grocery list at the same time of doing some heavy math. Strategies include taking power naps, taking breaks in between tasks, grouping bits of information into chunks. These are just a few. This would give the control back to the student and allow him to pick and choose the strategies, based on the situation at hand.

This allows students to take control of their learning, on their own terms, and doesn’t preach to them. Just gives them tools to use.

Jamie Cunningham

Response by Colleen Larson

Jamie- Just the title of the article grabbed my attention. I would not survive my busy schedule without being capable of multitasking. I do agree witht he statement that you wrote about how certain tasks require us to stop and just focus on that task at hand. The point of teaching students strategies to assist them in this skill is interesting as well. I think there are many skills, such as multitasking, that are overlooked when teaching skills to students.

Colleen