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Changing Minds: Multitasking During Lectures

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Book cover Higher Education Computer Science

Abstract

This chapter takes a multidisciplinary approach to multitasking . Media multitasking has, consequently, become a frequent topic amongst academics yet some remarkable new research reveals we may not be taking into full account the changes to our students’ ability to learn given the changes to their brains. The risks of multitasking to student achievement has been well researched yet many of the positive related developments in the neurosciences are less well known. This chapter reviews some of this research bringing together information foraging theory, cognitive control and confirmation bias as they relate to the multitasking Generation Z student in higher education . Some significant research findings are discussed including using laptops and similar devices in the classroom. A small survey underpins these discussions at the end of the chapter highlighting student perspectives on multitasking during lectures.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Between 2011 and 2017 smartphone use doubled from 21.6 to 44.9 million in the United Kingdom.

  2. 2.

    For a further explanation of adult cognitive plasticity (see Lövdén et al. 2010).

  3. 3.

    Our survey found 55% of students multitasked due to boredom. 62% identified lecturers reading from slides as another cause for multitasking during formal lectures.

  4. 4.

    Our survey found 55% of students multitasked due to boredom. 62% identified lecturers reading from slides as another cause for multitasking during formal lectures.

  5. 5.

    Searching the word “multitasking” site: indeed.com and “multitasking” site: indeed.co.uk show a difference of 73,300 US compared to 6760 UK. This may suggest a difference in educational and employment emphasis. It could also be just a reflection of population differences.

  6. 6.

    Seth Godin is a well known entrepreneur, bestselling author, writer and marketing and leadership blogger.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Northampton, Northampton, UK

    Liz Coulter-Smith

Authors
  1. Liz Coulter-Smith
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Correspondence to Liz Coulter-Smith .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Computer Science, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, UK

    Jenny Carter

  2. Department of Computer Science, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, UK

    Michael O'Grady

  3. Passerelle Systems, Newcastle-under-Lyme, UK

    Clive Rosen

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Coulter-Smith, L. (2018). Changing Minds: Multitasking During Lectures. In: Carter, J., O'Grady, M., Rosen, C. (eds) Higher Education Computer Science. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-98590-9_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-98590-9_1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-98589-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-98590-9

  • eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)

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