In a feature article in Education Week, May 2012, “Studies on Multitasking Highlight Value of Self-Control,” the author, Sarah D. Sparks, expounds her research on the myth of multitasking and how she views self- control should be the real ability people should learn to master. The article claims that, author and professor at California State University, Larry D. Rosen found that young adult’s age 13- to 18-year-olds on average use six or more types of media simultaneously when they are not in school. Furthermore, he goes on to claim that because of this young adults of today’s society have grown up with the tendency “to pay continuous partial attention”. Consequently, this tendency gives rise to why so many struggle with fully concentrating on any one thing. Sparks suggests that the brain cannot “be in two places at once.” According to Steven G. Yantis, a researcher at John Hopkins University in Baltimore sited in this article, it actually takes someone a lengthier amount of time to try to “multitask” than it would for them to do one task and then the other task. Furthermore, he explains that because the brain has to choose it delays the time in completing or reacting to the other task. The type of tasks and how much of a distraction it is determines the delay length. According to studies, researchers found that “multitaskers” did not perform as well on memory and attention tests compared to those who do one thing at a time. The actual amount of information that is absorbed is affected when a reader’s attention is interrupted to take a phone call, email, or text message. Most of what is read is not retained because the reader has to stop, direct their focus on to something else, and then come back and try to refocus on the reading material again. Also, it takes a little time to get the brain to start taking in the information that is now being read. The article claims Yantis said, "Working memory depends strongly on how well you can control selective attention and ignore distractions. High-value distraction significantly slows performance.” According to studies researchers have done, like the “Marshmallow Test”,  and study results of test-takers responding to text messages, the ability to have self-control and not letting the want of self-satisfaction take over the need of the task at hand was a big factor in the results. Sparks goes on to agree with Rosen and Cathy N. Davidson, the author of Now You See It, that because of how involved in our life technology, media, and the need for “multitasking” are it is impossible for us to eliminate them. What is suggested is to learn to use self-control and good decision making in order to get things done in the best and fastest way. Continuously trying to get better and working on our ability to function accurately is what we need to teach people (Sparks).

Works Cited

Sparks, Sarah. "Studies on Multitasking Highlight Value of Self-Control." Education Week. 15 May 2012. Web. 19 March 2015. <http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2012/05/16/31multitasking_ep.h31.html?tkn=PTWFGpBwR5o7bKrnCvQZswL8Vr+lUoJB+62c&cmp=clp-edweek>.