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mamaslearning
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Can a person be taught to multitask or is it something you are born with? Is this mainly a time management skill?
I see these commercials about colleges that have only one course a month so you can concentrate on that one area, and I think that might be setting them up for failure in a job that requires you to do more than one thing?
Is guiding a child to become a multitasker (is that a word) simply the act of helping them read and follow a lesson plan, help schedule their day/week, and other natural occurrences within a home-school?
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Lara
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Angie Mc
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Here's some thoughts.
Lara, the pendulum is swinging toward valuing single-tasking in what I'm reading online related to business, leadership, and time management. Personally, I value single-tasking and still try to implement it when I can.
Love,
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Angie Mc
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JodieLyn
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Lots of studies coming out that no one really does multi-tasking (two + simultaneously) well.
I would think that being able to stay foused on one task more difficult with tv and video games and such making people used to constant stimulation.
Besides while a single course is one topic.. it's not like you're only doing one thing for it.. you generally learn a lot of new information in multiple ways during the course (at least lecture, reading and writing).
For instance, my dh is a firefighter.. and you teach how the pumps work and how to vent a fire and how to do a search at different times but when there's a fire.. you do all of them. But you learn each better when you concentrate on really learning just the one.
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mamaslearning
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Thanks Angie for that link. Very interesting discussion. I'm going to have to think on this a bit. The article link did not work, but I did read the interview. There he is talking mainly about interruptions to work, but I was thinking more along the lines of having different projects going on simultaneously (although you work on them at different times). Not being interrupted and being able to switch between interruptions.
When I think of multitasking, I think back to when I worked and we had several projects happening simultaneously. Some days we worked on project A, some days required project B meetings, but they each were ongoing in the same weeks because the nature of the projects were such that you couldn't just work on project A for 40 hours and be done. There were time gaps, waiting periods, etc. so that you worked on other projects during those gaps. If we only focused on on project, then we would sit around with nothing to do for two or three days. By working on several projects, I needed to be organized with clear files and notes on each project.
So maybe what I'm thinking about isn't really multitasking? In school it would look like having a paper due in two weeks, but also still working on math homework or science. You would focus on each subject at appropriate times, but you had to organize your time.
Hmm, maybe I'm thinking more of time management than multitasking, but actually they probably go hand-in-hand. 
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Lara
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Mackfam
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I'm not sure I'm a multi-tasker, but I do think parenting and managing a home has taught me to be a good delegator and manager, which I think could maybe "look" like multi-tasking from the outside.
I've learned the value of order and routine in the home and how much the home runs on those rails (esp in times of survival or distress!), and also of training my children in the work that goes on in the home. And then after training children in the working of the home, I delegate tasks to them and work as a supervisor as they complete those tasks. And that's where it might look like multi-tasking --> multiple children completing individual work while I may be doing a job of my own and also observing their work/jobs, offering input, requiring a re-do, etc.
So, I can't really offer input or thoughts on multi-tasking because I think I only do it out of necessity and rarely...but if you'd asked me if I had thoughts on delegating and training....well...  I do!!!
mamaslearning wrote:
| Is guiding a child to become a multitasker (is that a word) simply the act of helping them read and follow a lesson plan, help schedule their day/week, and other natural occurrences within a home-school? |
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I don't think this has anything at all to do with multi-tasking. I do think it goes back to that delegating and managing thing we do as home (education) managers --> it is training and guiding a child to responsibility, in taking ownership of choices, decisions and outcomes.
In delegating and training in these little jobs, even at young ages and with age-appropriate work, we begin to teach responsibility. In home education we may also train a child to read the lesson plan, execute the plan or some reasonable amount, bring questions and concerns to us, communicate issues and problems, etc. All of these things foster (over time) an independent learner: one who takes responsibility for their education. And this independent learner (usually middle/high school level) does not equal no input or guidance from me - not at all! I see my role transitioning as they get older and approach this independent learner mark (and certainly for the high schooler) as one that assists in brain storming and asks questions which help the student see action/consequence outcomes. My role is to help guide and support these older students into critical thinking and good judgment in decision making...it is NOT to hand hold or pull a whiny child along.
And certainly, the older a child is, the more responsibilities and tasks they must manage. They need tools to do so. I don't encourage multi-tasking in my home with my children. We encourage...and insist on...best effort in all work. We ask the child to give full attention to one task and complete it to the best of his/her ability. This may mean that we (the parents) assist the child in time management with the goal of helping the older child transition into this kind of independent brainstorming on their own:
--> Can the child/student identify priority activities in their day? (lessons, outside the home activities, home responsibilities, play/free time)
--> Do we need to say no to a good opportunity in order to give our full yes to another (more important to us) opportunity?
--> Does the child need concrete tools to help manage the day?
--> Can the child identify the difference between needs and wants? work and play? privileges and responsibilities? Help offer simple, specific vocabulary toward that end.
I don't see value in training or encouraging multi-tasking...but I do see great value, and even parental responsibility, in training in individual responsibility, time management, understanding priorities, and balancing work and play. And doing each with best effort and full attention...which, by definition, sort of precludes multi-tasking.
Anyway, I'm not really sure if that's the direction you were going in with your original question, Lara?
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Jen Mackintosh
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Mackfam
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Cross posting with you, Lara...but after reading your post it does seem like you're asking more about time management/organization than multi-tasking?
And are you asking for you...or are you more asking about training/guiding our children in these skills?
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Jen Mackintosh
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mamaslearning
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We were cross-posting Jen! 
mackfam wrote:
| but I do see great value, and even parental responsibility, in training in individual responsibility, time management, understanding priorities, and balancing work and play. And doing each with best effort and full attention...which, by definition, sort of precludes multi-tasking. |
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Yes!!! I think my definition of multitasking is way off because this is what I was thinking of when I think of that word. Now I need to go and look up the definition of multitask so I can use it appropriately.
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JodieLyn
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Even in one subject in school you can have a longer term project while you have work due every day.. so while it's still one subject, you are having to manage time between two projects.
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Jodie, wife to Dave
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Kathryn
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My first thought when I saw your topic line...it's HIGHLY overrated!!!   Now, I'll come back and read everyone's replies and see if I really have anything of value to add.
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CatholicMommy
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A thought on the college classes that are only one course a month or similar - technically speaking, those particular colleges are marketing to people who work full-time jobs already, have full-time lives and just don't have any more mental stretch to handle taking 4-6 subjects in a particular semester. While a "typical" college student could certainly utilize this style of coursework, it's not marketed to them. So it's not that it's setting them up for failure, it's that the programs are only adding "one" more thing to an already full plate, in order to move ahead in a career or change careers.
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mamaslearning
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CatholicMommy wrote:
A thought on the college classes that are only one course a month or similar - technically speaking, those particular colleges are marketing to people who work full-time jobs already, have full-time lives and just don't have any more mental stretch to handle taking 4-6 subjects in a particular semester. While a "typical" college student could certainly utilize this style of coursework, it's not marketed to them. So it's not that it's setting them up for failure, it's that the programs are only adding "one" more thing to an already full plate, in order to move ahead in a career or change careers.
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I didn't think about adult learners.  I can see how this might be very helpful for someone working full-time and also caring for a family.
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Lara
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Erica Sanchez
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CatholicMommy wrote:
A thought on the college classes that are only one course a month or similar - technically speaking, those particular colleges are marketing to people who work full-time jobs already, have full-time lives and just don't have any more mental stretch to handle taking 4-6 subjects in a particular semester. While a "typical" college student could certainly utilize this style of coursework, it's not marketed to them. So it's not that it's setting them up for failure, it's that the programs are only adding "one" more thing to an already full plate, in order to move ahead in a career or change careers.
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This is exactly how I got my teaching credential. I had a very good full-time job during the day and took one class per month for about a year and a half until I did my student teaching. It worked very well.
I've always thought I was a good multi-tasker. You kind of have to be as a mom and homeschooler, no? I look at it as doing many different things during the day and being interrupted many different times and still getting back to what you were doing. Doing dishes and stopping to help teen who is on the kitchen computer doing Algebra. Changing a diaper and then finishing the dishes. Getting up to change a load of laundry but someone is hurt and needs you. Sending a quick email about an upcoming event you are planning and then listening to a child read. I think the more children you have, the more multi-tasking you probably do just from sheer interruptions. Not unneccesary interruptions either and I know one could work to minimize those with better time management possibly. There is always room for improvement in that area in my house. For me it is just life happening. :) Too simple probably.
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Angie Mc
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Single-tasking (or avoiding switch-tasking) can look very linear. But I don't have that kind of control over my schedule, especially as the children grow older. But busy business folks also have to content with interruptions and so forth yet they are the ones now promoting a single-task approach. I think there is a finesse involved for sure, one that dances between focused, uninterrupted work and the other stuff.
I always seem to land back at priorities and the Big Rocks principle. So this morning, my big rock was focused work on writing with my 17yo. A middle rock was having my 13yo at my side doing independent work. A small rock was the hot water boiling for my tea (which is amazingly hard for me to remember to boil ). And my SAND is the always ongoing laundry humming in the background .
I *try* to set everything up for uninterrupted focused time for the Big Rocks.
Love,
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Erin
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mamaslearning wrote:
| Can a person be taught to multitask or is it something you are born with? |
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Whilst I find all the new studies on multi tasking vs single tasking fascinating and tend to agree I still multi-task in some areas. Such as phone conversations, I often work whilst chatting to friends.
To answer your original question I do believe it can be taught in some areas, my dh can not do anything else whilst chatting on the phone, not even hold the baby, I'm assuming this may be a male accomplishment?? However I have deliberately taught my sons to multi-task, they can chat on the phone whilst holding the baby or unpacking the dishwasher. 
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Erin, the only thing I can do while talking on the phone is nurse a baby . I don't know why. So I rarely talk on the phone and when I do it is a treat to sit back and just talk. I'm the same way cooking. I don't even talk while in the kitchen  .
Some of this must be finding things that easily fit together, like walking and saying a rosary or watching a movie while folding laundry for me.
Love,
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CrunchyMom
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That's me, Angie! Sometimes, I have to go and hide. Otherwise, I have no idea how to follow the other person.
I *can* watch a movie while folding laundry or doing most other projects where I am focused and alone like cleaning out a closet or sewing.
But, my parents used to make me tie my shoes without talking, otherwise, I would chat the whole time I was trying to get out the door for school and never get my laces tied!
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Angie Mc
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I'm with you, Lindsay!
Now over on the bamboo knitting needles topic (I'm just going to keep saying bamboo knitting needles because I'm super cool to know they exist now) Jenn wants me to knit while cheering at baseball games. Not thinking I can do that. Dang!
Love,
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4Real Forums : Living Learning
Topic: Thoughts on Multi-tasking
