[Air-l] multitasking

[Sam Tilden]

Charlie,
   
  Cognitive neuro-science suggests that even our sensory array shifts attention in the same parsing behavior we see in computers. As I said several posts ago, some people are able to do this quite well and others not. The fact is that, this ability is normally distributed across human population and can be improved with practice.
   
  HCI research suggests that multiple screens provide an advantage in that it allows holding some data set in a fixed frame while allowing another to be dynamic. This research suggests that 2 dynamic screens effects performance adversely.For example writing computer code in one screen and testing it in another. The Apple people have been doing this for years while the PC crowd has been limited by the operating system (until recently).
   
  It all comes down to the human perception in real time.
   
  Based on a normative evaluation this parsing proves to be an impediment while listening to music and doing homework. It seems more efficient to study a short period, listen to relieve the boredom and then go back to studying. There is a vast body of research available in education, psychology and cognitive neuro-science.
   
  This is a very rich area for cross-disciplinary Netspace research.
   
  Sam

Charlie Balch <charlie at balch.org> wrote:
  Great points. I happen to have a perfect opportunity to do a little research
here. I'm teaching two sections of the same class. In one section, I'm
lecturing in a computer lab and in the other in a traditional classroom. I
do not discourage my students in the lab environment from using the
computers while I lecture. (Those that want to yell at me for this should
start a new thread.) Assuming that my lectures are the major factor in
student learning, tests are meaningful, and that use of computers is a
distracter, I'm going to compare the test results at the end of this
semester.

Charlie
http://charlie.balch.org


 		
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