Comments on: Students Think They Can Multitask. Here’s Proof They Can’t.

By: Anonymous Person

Anonymous Person — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 23:33:16 +0000

Those are interesting results, and it seems far more accurate than the idea that all texting during class results in poor grades.

By: Undergraduate

Undergraduate — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 23:30:04 +0000

While I don't disagree with these results or that these results do implicate something that's true (I can agree that sometimes multitasking doesn't work), I don't believe these studies were incredibly thorough, at least according to their summaries. A class size of 62 students is not a sufficiently large sample size. That's about the size of one class, and you're trying to apply that across the board? Also, the 22 to 59% difference in reading pace doesn't sound entirely accurate either. People read at different paces, which can easily account for the pace difference between the two groups. I believe that there are strong correlations between academic performance and technological multitasking, but I don't believe there is enough to substantiate this claim.

By: Mlou Guzman

Mlou Guzman — Sun, 10 Mar 2013 21:11:06 +0000

May I use your logic in my presentation for school? I like the train track example. Brilliant.

By: Have we learned nothing from the guys? | Cracked Glass

Have we learned nothing from the guys? | Cracked Glass — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 04:39:59 +0000

[...] I had to choose I would work with men. There is something to be said for being focused. In fact, research shows that only about 5% of people multi-task effectively, so it’s complete hogwash to claim that we women do this more effectively in the workplace. I [...]

By: Sean

Sean — Sat, 26 Jan 2013 23:16:02 +0000

Hi Virginia,
I work in the resources industry – it is for these exact reasions that we remove all electronic distraction and reading material from our operators at shift start.
The ramifications for students are obvious, though the effect on productivity and safety in the workplace are huge.

By: 21st Century Skills | Annotary

21st Century Skills | Annotary — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 18:37:36 +0000

[...] More from Erno Mijland: De Sporen Leeswerk Twitter Noun Project Sort Share http://www.facultyfocus.com 2 months [...]

By: Free Courses Online | Annotary

Free Courses Online | Annotary — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 16:21:25 +0000

[...] English/Vocabulary/Spelling/Literature Art Video/Sound/Photo Editing Sort Share http://www.facultyfocus.com 3 months [...]

By: Megan Martinez

Megan Martinez — Sun, 11 Nov 2012 19:42:48 +0000

ALthough I agree on the topic of mulitasking that it distracts a student from learning the full view of a subject, from reading this article they mainly tested the multitasking theory in class/lecture. From experience I do multitask in class and I find that I learn more while not multitasking in a class. However I also multitask outside of the classroom and it works well fo me. My point is I agree with the article about multitasking in a classroom while learning because it takes the students attention off of the topic being discussed therefore we miss things that could be vital to know. However I do believe multitasking outside of a classroom works for some people if they like to stay busy. I believe that a study should be done for school work/homework outside of a classroom to see how well students handle that because students in class do not handle multitasking very well because they are focused on something other than the subject.

By: Comment 2: Multitasking

Comment 2: Multitasking — Sun, 28 Oct 2012 11:09:20 +0000

[...] article share within the blog post multitasking-confronting-students-with-the-facts, shared by Michele clearly provides evidence as to how it affects or lessen scores and attainment [...]

By: The UMHS Pulse - Life At Caribbean Medical Schools: Assessing Your Study Habits - The UMHS Pulse

Tue, 23 Oct 2012 22:12:32 +0000

[...] you doing during the lectures? Research shows that only 5% of people can multitask effectively (Weimer, 2012). Do you honestly believe you are in that 5%? Note the following quotes: “…students who did not [...]

By: sta

sta — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 18:10:04 +0000

Unfortunately, we faculty are increasingly being "assessed" on our ability to teach based on the test scores of these multi-tasking students. It is frustrating when we cannot control the most important variable in student success, their participation and effort to learn.

By: lancement le 6 juin ! | Le blog des nouvelles technologies : Web, Technologies, Développement, Interopérabilité « Myblog's Blog

Mon, 22 Oct 2012 11:12:59 +0000

[...] Students Think They Can Multitask. Here’s Proof They Can’t | Faculty Focus [...]

By: Life Long Learning2 » I Think I Can; I Think I Can

Life Long Learning2 » I Think I Can; I Think I Can — Sat, 20 Oct 2012 00:16:28 +0000

[...] blog “Students Think They Can Multitask. Here’s Proof They Can’t.” by Maryellen Weimer, PhD , gives statistical evidence to prove that students aren’t as [...]

By: Lisa

Lisa — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 14:28:58 +0000

Numbers generally appear more authoritative and less whiny than my pathetic attempts to cajole, implore and beg students to put aside their cell phones and log out of facebook. So, thank you for sharing these sources! Sharing them with students is a fantastic idea.

By: No, You Can’t Multitask « Keeping Track Of The World

No, You Can’t Multitask « Keeping Track Of The World — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 19:57:44 +0000

[...] Students Think They Can Multitask. Here’s Proof They Can’t | Faculty Focus Share this:TwitterFacebookLike this:LikeBe the first to like this. Posted in Online Resource, Productivity, Writing [...]

By: Classroom Multitasking: Why Not? Well . . . « DIY College Prep

Classroom Multitasking: Why Not? Well . . . « DIY College Prep — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 04:06:42 +0000

[...] “Students Think They Can Multitask. Here’s Proof They Can’t” (Dr.Maryellen Weimer, Faculty Focus, 9/26/12). [...]

By: Nona

Nona — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 18:05:28 +0000

Why don't you record it or buy the show…
I say lol.

By: Michelle Mallon

Michelle Mallon — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 01:03:46 +0000

I worry about the obstacles with trying to convince mulittasking students that what they perceive to be their "best" performance really might not be their best. They are so used to multitasking that they really don't have any concept of what they could do if they didn't. Trying to convince students to give not multitasking a try could even be counterproductive at first since they are so used to multitasking it could be anxiety provoking at first. Many of these kids have panic type symptoms when they leave home and realize they left their phones. In most cases, a return trip home to get the item would be a given. Many of them sleep with their phones next to them at night so they don't "miss out" on anything. Every semester, I take about 15 mins out of my class to show part of a PBS Digital Nation episde with Rachel Dretzin. Dr. C. Nass at Stanford has done some interesting studies with multitaskers. His findings are consistent with what was found in this article. Despite showing students the video, they continue to multitask. Perhaps it is the belief that they might be in that 5% of effective multitaskers that prevents them from trying to see what they can are capable of by not multitasking.

By: muraPOI: October 1, 2012 | Brandon Muramatsu

muraPOI: October 1, 2012 | Brandon Muramatsu — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 14:55:26 +0000

[...] Students Think They Can Multitask. Here’s Proof They Can’t.: I’m not sure I buy the summaries of the studies that are presented in this article. I think there’s too much that can be argued about the classes themselves and the motivation for students to pay attention in the first place — but that’s heresy to bring up. But I put it forward as an interesting synopsis. [...]

By: Kathleen Burt

Kathleen Burt — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 12:44:39 +0000

Although I must agree that lectures are not the most effective way to deliver information in many cases, I must disagree that our human mind is not constructed for listening. Once upon a time, people enjoyed going to lectures, speeches and even sermons from visiting clergy as a form of entertainment. I have heard many fascinating and entertaining lectures from university professors, college instructors, and other experts in their field at conventions and symposiums. Nevertheless, listening for many adults today seems a task beyond their ken. Perhaps, the lack of listening abilities is due more to our increasing self-centeredness. For instance, when I first began teaching some thirty years ago, I could give a whole class instructions. Now, I must give those instructions individually to each student (either orally or in written form – both is best). Perhaps the media we use has changed our brains' abilities over time.