[Air-l] multitasking

[Charlie Balch]

Sam,
Thanks again for your contributions. I (we?) think we are getting closer to
an understanding of multitasking.

I believe the perspective of humans having multiple "processes" is
appropriate. This is in conflict with your suggestion of "sensory array
shifts need attention." While I have not reviewed the literature, my
perception is that we respond to multiple sensory channels with various
degrees of attention. The extent to which these sensory channels overlap
creates conflict. Very different tasks will not be in conflict. 

Much like interrupts in computer operating systems, the various areas that
we perceive are brought to our attention when they become important. What
qualifies as "important" is very individual. For instance, I'm more
productive with music in the background, I think that this is because the
area of me that expects music does not send out "Need Music" distracters and
that other parts of me are not distracted by processing the appreciation of
the background music.

Back to my dissertation,

Charlie 

-----Original Message-----
From: air-l-bounces at listserv.aoir.org
[mailto:air-l-bounces at listserv.aoir.org] On Behalf Of Sam Tilden
Sent: Sunday, October 15, 2006 9:35 AM
To: air-l at listserv.aoir.org
Subject: Re: [Air-l] multitasking

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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