Multitasking

I am doing a book study on the book Rewired by Larry D. Rosen. One chapter is about multitasking and we were asked if we were multitaskers and how we felt about multitasking.

Here is my response.

Hi, my name is Jennifer and I’m a multitasker.

I am currently typing this, listening to a podcast, referencing my iPad for quotes and texting a friend. SO yes I am a multitasker. Am I doing any of this proficiently? You be the judge, but I think so.

I think multitasking is the only way to keep juggling all the balls of life. If I didn’t multitask, then I would have many fewer friends, I don’t think I would be as effective as a teacher, and honestly I would feel disconnected. So I don’t think it is a bad thing. Now do I do less when I need to concentrate on something? Sure, but I still don’t only do one thing…I can’t focus if I am worried about what’s going on elsewhere, if I, for example, keep texting I stay up to date and it only interrupts what I am doing for a few seconds as I check and respond.

This week I have been in a PD class and we were asked to put away our devices and brainstorm a question…that was torture. I couldn’t focus, not that I would have checked my phone, but knowing I couldn’t made it the only thing I thought about. I can’t help but feel that is how our students feel when we ask the same of them and I am an adult, I know ways to deal.

Are there times when I don’t multitask? Yes, riding my motorcycle for one…but am I REALLY not multitasking? I am shifting, rolling the throttle, operating the front and back brakes, checking traffic around me, and keeping an eye out for potential hazards that I may need to avoid. Sounds like I am multitasking, it’s just that they are all on the same “topic,” riding the bike. So think about it, aren’t there things that you are multitasking and just not thinking about it.