Multi-Tasking

For the introduction, the presenters provided two different cartoons that provided explanations for multitasking. We had briefly discussed women commonly being the multitasker within the past years. The question they had asked the audience is “Are we really capable of multitasking?”
It’s difficult to believe that we understand the human mind with the human mind. It can be overwhelming that to we actually do operate like this. The presenter had mentioned that it is easy to understand the human mind by using technology. The scenario of a pianist playing Rondo Alla Turca was provided for the audience. The presenter had asked if this would be considered multitasking or is it considered something else.
We are doing something more profound, we are parallel processing with our multiple resources that depend on handling tasks independently. Human beings can parallel process but are not terrible at multitasking, provided by the PowerPoint presentation. Richard Feynman could read while counting in his head, although he was unable to talk. Prof John Tukey could talk while counting in his head, although he was unable to read. These are examples of parallel process and how we are able to comprehend information.
A study was done on college students and they received the following: 93% reported they multitasked by engaging in non-computer activity as well as 93% said they chatted and did schoolwork at the same time. Their school work had suffered because of multitasking.
Multitasking may also be called dual-tasking yet it deals with how you are paying attention, and what you are focusing on. Our attention span is limited and so we need to pay attention to one thing or another, which results in opportunity cost. The presenter provided a scenario for using our cell phone while driving. He provided statistics about how this was one way people multitasked.
In conclusion, the presenters gave the audience a very widespread version of what multitasking is and how it affects us. It was very interesting to understand who does it, why they do it, and how they do it. Many people multitask without even knowing they are doing it. If students would recognize that they are multitasking, and that the multitasking was affecting their grade, they may change their mind as to what they focus on.