Weekly Digest #104: Media Multitasking
We have talked about the pros and cons of cell phones in classrooms, the importance of attention for learning, and how the presence of a cell phone reduces cognitive capacity. This week's digest provides some additional resources for understanding how media multitasking affects attention and learning.
1) Media Multitasking by Leslie McClurg
Whether it's checking a text, responding to an email, or using social media - often when we think technology is improving our productivity it is actually derailing our productivity. This piece from NPR talks about how the brain handles media multitasking.
2) Single Tasking is the New Multitasking by The Atlantic
This short video describes one approach to getting rid of distractions and improving your ability to focus.
Image from pixabay
3) The True Cost of Multitasking by Susan Weinschenk
What we commonly refer to as multitasking is actually task switching. Here, Dr. Susan Weinschenk explains some of the costs of task switching and how we can reduce task switching.
4) Cell Phones in the Classroom by Andrew Watson
Andrew Watson discusses the different components of attention and explains some of the nuances in interpreting the results of experiments.
5) How Does Multitasking Change the Way Kids Learn by Annie Murphy Paul
This piece from MindShift covers recent research on media multitasking and offers advice for parents and students for how to approach homework.
Image from pixabay
Every Sunday, we pick a theme and provide a curated list of links. If you have a theme suggestion, please don’t hesitate to contact us! Occasionally we publish a guest digest, and If you'd like to propose a guest digest click here. Our 5 most recent digests can be found here:
Weekly Digest #99: In Defense of Inquiry Learning
Weekly Digest #100: Teachers' Implementations Of Learning Strategies
Weekly Digest #101: Preparing for Higher Education