The Myth of Multitasking: Media, Teens, and Homework.
In reality, multitasking during homework can be particularly difficult for kids who have ADHD. “There’s pretty compelling literature that suggests that nobody is actually good at multitasking, but I think kids who have ADHD also have a set of cognitive distortions about their skills and capacities,” says Dr. Cruger.Multitasking with media during homework Many young people—especially teens—use media while doing their homework. This multitasking includes listening to music, having a TV on in the background, texting friends, or checking social media. Most young people who use media while doing their homework think.Many teens multitask with media while doing their homework, and most of them think this has no effect on the quality of their work. Consider the stats: 51 percent of teens say they often or sometimes watch TV during homework. 50 percent often or sometimes use social media while doing homework.
Top 3 Negative Outcomes of Studying While Being Distracted by Technology. According to an article by Annie Murphy Paul, research has shown that there are various negative outcomes that result from students multitasking while doing homework. Paul describes the top 3 negative outcomes.While most media-related forms of multitasking can be distracting to students working on their studies, some forms can benefit their focus and concentration on homework. Eating while doing homework, although technically a form of multitasking, does not take away from a student’s language understanding, and can keep a student focused and less bored without causing a loss of attention.
How Does Multitasking Change the Way Kids Learn? Living rooms, dens, kitchens, even bedrooms: Investigators followed students into the spaces where homework gets done. Pens poised over their “study observation forms,” the observers watched intently as the students—in middle school, high school, and college, 263 in all—opened their books and turned on their computers.
