March 1, 2017 MULTI-TASKING, HELP OR HINDER? By Linda M. Penn Walking and texting; driving and
texting; homework and watching TV; cooking and helping the children with
homework; listening to music and writing. ARE YOU A SUCCESSFUL
MULTI-TASKER? AND HOW ABOUT YOUR CHILDREN? Do they watch
TV, text, and play a video game – ALL AT THE SAME TIME? And probably
when you ask them if they are doing their homework, they will answer,
“yes.” So…is it possible to concentrate
successfully on several tasks at the same time? I used to be able to
fix supper, do laundry, help my kids with their homework, answer emails,
grade papers, talk on the phone, and even manage
to munch on a cookie. However, now that I am retired, there is no way! I recall complimenting a friend’s
daughter on her “gift” of multi-tasking as she played an online game,
texted with a friend, and supposedly completed homework. I used to
think multi-tasking was evidence of efficiency. Guess what? I recently read articles
about multi-taskers who thought they were boosting their performances
when actually they had reduced efficiency. The research that supported
the articles said that our brains can only focus
on one thing at a time, and brains could even be damaged, developing
“bad brain habits” with so much switching quickly from one focus to
another. Gee, I knew there was a reason I
disliked trying to have a conversation with the grandkids when they were
playing on their phones. I was feeling “old and outdated” by their
marginal attention to what I was saying. I suppose
their brains were just acting normally by staying focused on whatever
important items happened to be on their phones.
Okay, can we all be a little more
conscious of trying to concentrate on ONE thing at a time? Particularly
if I am a passenger in your car while you are texting! Let’s somehow
try to be good models for our kids. I have to admit I am sitting on the
couch writing this article, and trying to watch two programs on TV – all
at the same time. It is not working well. My husband just came in and
asked what were the scores of the basketball
games I was supposed to be watching. I responded with, “we were
losing by four points, but that was awhile ago. I have no idea what it
is now. And the other game, gee, too much to keep up with!” (I had no
kids or grandkids watching me at this time, so,
was that alright?) I promise I will try to do better! As a
matter of fact, it is two days later and I am now concentrating totally
on finishing up this blog.
If this research about multi-tasking
interests you, there are several websites that popped up after I typed
in “Is multi-tasking good or bad for our brains?” Check them out!
(I wonder if I can get my husband to read them? Do
you think he would then start concentrating on what I am saying to
him? Just kidding, honey!) Come back the first week of April. Blog title: “SPRING BREAK, THEN, IT’S THAT PESKY TESTING TIME!” COPYRIGHT 2017 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED LINDA M. PENN |
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