Efficiency Of Multitasking As A Way To Accomplish Priorities In A Limited Time

Abstract

Multitasking is when a person is doing more than task at a time. The question is, is multitasking effective or is one task being left halfway done. An article states that ‘’Multitasking seems like a great way to get a lot done at once. While it might seem like you are accomplishing many things at once, research has shown that our brains are not nearly as good at handling multiple tasks as we like to think we are. In fact, some researchers suggest that multitasking can reduce productivity by as much as 40 percent!’’ there are many different pros and cons to multitasking. In the past, many people believed that multitasking was a good way to increase productivity. We would like to think that if you're working on several different tasks at once, you're bound to accomplish more. But research, however, has demonstrated that that switching from one task to the next takes a serious toll on productivity. Tuning out one task in order to focus on another hinders your ability to focus and tune out distractions. Doing so many different things at once can impair cognitive ability. What do we mean by multitasking? If you ask people what they mean they will generally say that multitasking is doing two or more things concurrently. Despite the widespread acceptance of multitasking as a virtual necessity in today’s distracted society, considerable research shows that we do not actually “multi-task” because our brains are unable to do so except when performing subconscious tasks that are essentially automatic, such as breathing, or to a lesser extent walking. Instead, humans “switch-task”; that is, we switch back and forth between two or more tasks. Each time we switch between tasks, we lose time on the task most recently vacated.

Introduction

Multitasking demands you to work at a fast paste. In some cases, it can become efficiency and increased production but, in some cases, it can lead to a compromise in quality. There can be plenty of mistakes too. It can also be distracting. While a person is focused on multiple tasks at hand, she or he is distracted from everything else. This distraction can become chronic. The person may not be able to focus on anything else. Simple or individual tasks may not draw enough focus and one may be drawn to minor tasks that are repetitive or done swiftly without much brainwork which leaves the task half done.

In this experiment I will be comparing students who study in groups to students who study alone, I want to measure the effectiveness of the two types of studying. So, let's take studying in group into consideration. There are plenty of distractions probably going on such as side conversations, music and just the simple fact that other people are around in general. But on the other hand, some people may get distracted easier when they are alone. Certain students may feel like they work better being around other students. In this experiment I will be measuring the effectiveness of these two variables. All students have different study strategies for preparing for tests. Some students want to sit in their own rooms listening to soft background music. Others need to be in a public space with lots going on around them to keep focused. Studying alone allows students to obtain information in an environment that’s perfect for them. All students have different study strategies for preparing for tests. There are benefits to studying in groups.

How do you know if this tactic is effective? A genuine test in knowing whether a study comprehends an idea or not is if the individual in question can disclose it to another person. discussing it with others offers a chance to more readily comprehend the theme by talking about it with another person. If the student experiences a mental blackout when somebody requests that the person in question clarify an idea, it implies that the student needs to consider more. If the student works best with others, study groups can be a great option. Many students derive energy from being around other people and look forward to learning and discussing material with classmates. Having a study group will also make students more accountable. Other people are counting on him or her to help with studying, so it’s less likely that he or she will skip studying.

In this modern era, it has become commonplace to try and accomplish as many tasks as possible as quickly as possible in order to be more efficient. With the help of technology, many believe that multitasking is becoming a required and helpful skill. Multitasking is actually a detrimental habit. Multitasking divides a person's concentration in order to attempt to complete multiple actions. Even though in the end the tasks are all finished, the quality of the finished task and the time required to finish all the tasks makes multitasking very inefficient. In addition, this division of concentration is causing many people to not pay attention. For most, multitasking is a disadvantageous skill that should not be encouraged as a valid method of completing assignments. The majority of people who multitask may think that they are getting a lot of tasks done and gaining tons of information at the same time. However, most multitasking reduces one's ability to retain information and concentrate, it diminishes efficiency, and it creates stress.

There are articles that discuss the difficulty students have listening to lectures while trying to simultaneously do another task. Performing multiple tasks has been promoted by students, and explicitly undergrads who feel that they are really good at doing it. Tragically, as indicated by Digital Nation: Life on the Virtual Frontier, subsequent to testing students who think they are splendid at performing multiple tasks, results demonstrated that they are horrible at each part of performing various tasks; therefore, it isn't successful. According to The Dangers of Multitasking, the downsides of multitasking outweigh its upsides (Davies 39). Multitasking students can miss many necessary information that they really need to pass tests and understand lessons when they multitask during the lectures, which causes them to get a low grade on their tests. “Many experienced multitaskers have experienced an unexpected thing when, for example, their e-mail service was disabled for a period of time. They discovered that they were actually more productive during that period of time” (Multitasking 758). That means that multitaskers are more productive when they concentrate on one task; so, students will do better on tests and in school in general, if they quit or cut back on multitasking during classes. Moreover, “The human brain works more efficiently on a single task and for sustained rather than intermitted or alternating periods of time”.

Methods and Procedures

In this experiment 30 students at Tuskegee University were given a survey on their study preferences. 15 of them were girls and the other 15 were boys. 18 of them agreed that it better to study in groups for accountability reasons. Better focusing and to obtain a better understanding on the subject. They also agreed that studying with other students in the same course was motivation. While the other 12 stated that studying in groups encouraged side bar conversation, as well as other distractions. They disagreed that being around your peers while studying is beneficial to learning and obtaining the information. The survey was taken on paper with 10 questions pertaining to studying alone or in groups. The students were asked to put their age, and classification. The study was only a small indication that despite the numerous amounts of articles and research against multitasking a studying in groups that students still consider it to be an effective study habit. The survey also asked students about their overall text averages. The students who studied in groups scored higher on test and quizzes than the students who studied alone.

If the study had a negative outcome then an individual can just accept that performing multiple tasks in a classroom setting would prompt a lower grade, potentially cheating in light of the fact that the student doesn't have the slightest idea about the appropriate response, and the powerlessness to learn the information well. Students needs to figure out how to adjust day by day exercises to keep up a not so much upsetting but rather more beneficial condition. Access to electronic gadgets is getting increasingly obvious and repressing individuals from achieving the work. I will even go as far to say that the strenuous amount of work students must do on top of all the other day to day things leaves something half done.

Discussion

Modern technology is making multitasking easier and more common. However, most multitasking is not entirely beneficially. In fact, multitasking has led to many people becoming easily distracted and, therefore, unable to learn from or understand most of the completed tasks. According to one study, people who multitasked frequently are more prone to be sidetracked and, therefore, unable to learn certain skills properly (Dalton). This constant shifting of attention is literally changing how many people learn and complete actions. Most people who multitask only partially start a task and then reallocate most of their concentration onto another assignment without ever really paying attention to the task.

Is Multitasking Necessary? Does performing various tasks truly assist individuals with completing things? As indicated by Alina Tugend, a feature writer for the New York Times and writer of 'Performing multiple tasks Can Make You Lose… Um… Focus' attests that performing multiple tasks may appear to spare time at the same time, performing multiple tasks is really making individuals be pushed and less proficient. Because of performing multiple tasks, individuals exhaust their brain and can't concentrate on the main jobs which causes distractions. Performing multiple tasks fills in as an interruption, not enabling an individual to completely connect on a specific task. Performing various tasks effectively affects understudies' exhibition in school.

College students believe that doing multiple tasks at once is the most efficient way to accomplish priorities in the limited time they have each day. School, study, work, family and a social life are all tasks juggled by students and finding a way to get all done at once seems to be a great solution. Multitasking seems to be the solution to their busy lives but is it really the best way to successfully complete every task needed to be done in a day. This is a big reason for studying in groups. Students figure it is best to learn the material in a group to make sure they are all on one accord and not risk the chance of not understanding the material and failing. There are equal amounts of pros and cons to studying alone and in groups.

References

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2. Multitasking Can Make You Lose ... Um ... Focus By ALINA TUGEND OCT. 24, 2008
3. Davies, Frances. “The dangers of multitasking: numerous studies have shown that human beings are not designed to handle multiple tasks and this applies to undertaking multiple roles in the workplace as much as in our daily lives. Frances Davies, chairman of Principle People explains the dangers of multitasking.” Plant & Works Engineering Jan. 2009: 39+. General OneFile. Web. 5 Nov. 2013.
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