Is multitasking a strong strength of the young and can they learn more effectively with multitasking? Good question but this needs to be looked at more closely.
The Institute for the Future of the Mind did a controlled study with two age groups. One group was 18 to 21 year olds and the second group was 35 to 39 year olds. Both groups were tested on their multitasking skills. The younger group tested at 10% better at multitasking when there were no interruptions. A second test was conducted under a realistic situation with many interruptions such as a phone ringing or a knock at the door. With this test both groups tested out at the same ability.
In summary the appeal of multitasking is so irresistible. Megan Santosus writes in an article, "Multitasking Wastes Time and Money" that multitasking just raises false hopes. "Unfortunately, even in the face of the mounting scientific and anecdotal evidence that multitasking doesn't work, companies cling to it like shipwrecked survivors to flotsam."
This ends my surmmary of the recent findings of multitasking. It was taken from the article "You Say Multitasking Like It's a Good Thing" found in NeaToday, March/April 2009. I like research about education that is new and up-to-date. Every little idea that promotes good teaching will eventually help children learn.
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