Can kids (teens) really multi-task?

[Observer]

The only multi tasking my son is allowed to do is hearing music in MP3 player while eating. :lol:


For me and wife, happy that he finish food without complaining (he's a damn fuzzy eater).

Watching TV and reading his school books - NO
Watching TV and reading his story books - Yes

So, we can allow the so-called multitasking in some area which doesn't affect them academically or physically.

[mintcc]

rememember when I was studying I also tell my parents that I am \"multi tasking\" when I want to watch TV of course not much got in during TV time.

[csc]

ya, i only allowed my daughter to \"double-task' ie listening to her ipod when she is doing mundane homework like 习字，抄范文，corrections and the like which do not require much 'brain' work. She says she is a audio learner and therefore needs music accompaniment while doing work. :lol:

[schellen]

csc:

ya, i only allowed my daughter to \"double-task' ie listening to her ipod when she is doing mundane homework like 习字，抄范文，corrections and the like which do not require much 'brain' work. She says she is a audio learner and therefore needs music accompaniment while doing work. :lol:

I don't think that is what an audio learner is unless she is listening to the homework being \"read\" to her while she writes it down.

Anyway, I need music to work too cos without it, work is soooo dreary. For example, when I had deadlines for essays during schooldays, I needed to listen to music while doing them. I generally get Bs so I figure that must have helped. When I started postgrad dip studies a few years ago, I did the same thing too but my DH will complain cos the music I listen to is rock, metal, rap, etc. He insists that only classical music is good for studying, to which I reply that classical music will only make me fall asleep.

Anyway, what sashimi said about multi-tasking at office is probably typing work e-mail while answering work phone call, etc. I make sure that when I visit KSP forum at work, I only pay attention to forum and nothing else.....until boss comes out of his room lah. sashimi's only multi-tasking at home is probably reading magazines or books while in the toilet. :lol:

[csc]

schellen, what you shared is funny. :lol:

you and sashimi make such a cute couple. :romance:

One child told me the other day he was tying to complete his assignment in his assessment book while in the toilet... Gosh! :!:

Actually mothers are the ones who are good at multi-tasking too... on the phone while doing laundry and keeping an eye on the stove... on the phone, checking email or surfing and photocopying documents etc..

[pinky]

There was this newspaper article sometime back about students multi-tasking-doing homework+checking SMS+checking email+watching TV snippets etc and the student claimed that she needed only a couple of hrs sleeping!! Pity their brains-overworked and insufficient rest. Sorry but I am not impressed at all at her 'capabilities'.

As to multi-tasking at workplace, I define it as doing several jobs/projects at the same time. When I was a Sales Manager, I had to handle admin/accounts/HR/sales/purchasing/secretarial duties as well. I became a Jack of all trade but master of none. Consolation was that I got to learn more besides sales and that what kept me doing that for almost 20 years till I finally quit my job. Bet in this hard times, there are many people out there who have to shoulder such burden now.

[sashimi]

schellen:

... but my DH will complain cos the music I listen to is rock, metal, rap, etc. He insists that only classical music is good for studying, to which I reply that classical music will only make me fall asleep.


Anyway, what sashimi said about multi-tasking at office is probably typing work e-mail while answering work phone call, etc. I make sure that when I visit KSP forum at work, I only pay attention to forum and nothing else.....until boss comes out of his room lah. sashimi's only multi-tasking at home is probably reading magazines or books while in the toilet. :lol:

I know one thing for sure, I can't do anything if you are blasting heavy metal/rock in the house while YOU are multi-tasking! I don't \"insist\" only classical is good for studying, it's just my preference.

multitasking is a pain in today's IT/project offices when one is expected to manage 3-4 projects at the same time. Everyone is multitasking and failing to meet each others' deadlines. :roll:

If people will just focus on one thing at a time, deadlines can be met and things can be completed faster. I.e. FINISH 1 deadline every 4 weeks, 16 weeks = 4 deadlines properly accomplished; as opposed to juggling 4 deadlines SIMULTANEOUSLY and only finishing all four 32 weeks later, and all half-baked jobs cos you can't concentrate on anything. :stupid:


sashimi can also watch Battlestar Galactica DVD + paint Gundam kit + reply SMS + Eat meal at the same time.

My DW's favourite is how I would be vacuuming the floor while rearranging the shelf next to the floor.

There is one thing I am powerless against: trying to answer simultaneously fielded questions from DD the Little Miss Chatterbox and DW the Big Miss Nag-a-bot at the same time. This one I give up.

[gajidouma]

errr.... I think I have no problem with my kid doing schoolwork while listening to music coz I was that type myself, provided that she has my special ability....


I can totally \"switch off\" the music mentally and become \"deaf\" to the surroundings if I want to concentrate on something else, then have it reactivated again when I feel like taking a break. DH was amazed before coz he needed to shout into my ears to wake me up from work.

Any boss wants to hire me? :lol: