Multitasking or Distracted?

It should not come as a surprise to you that I am very comfortable in front of a laptop.  I spend much of my day communicating on a computer or cell phone to staff, students and community members.  I write and answer emails, post information on our website, link messages to Twitter, prepare presentations, send text messages, schedule meetings, create & edit documents, and more.  This type of activity defines working in the early 21st century.

Our students do the same thing, only more so… reading a book while listening to music, watching TV, sending text messages, eating a sandwich all while doing homework.  For instance, a recent study indicated that 46 percent of teenagers had sent text messages while driving.

The question is… Is this really multitasking?  Or is it being distracted and unfocused?

Both.  In my mind, it is simply the new reality.  As educators we must be ready to engage our students in a manner that prepares them for future.  They are digital natives. Multitasking is not going to disappear.  Current neurological research indicates that the loss of attention and the time spent switching from task to task may have an adverse effect on learning complex concepts. Given this research, we must develop strategies to help our students manage the overwhelming stream of information they are faced with each day. Exercise, breaks before moving on, and alternating tasks are all proven ways to combat “techno-brain burnout.” Students need to be prepared to be in control of their learning in the digital age.