Activity 4.4 Open Post

Christine Rosen describes multitasking as the “human attempt to do simultaneously as many things as possible, as quickly as possible, preferably marshaling the power of as many technologies as possible” (2008, 1, Rosen). I am interested in this topic as I am frequently busier than I would like to be.  Perhaps this is uncomfortable for me because I am not a member of the younger generation discussed in the article.  Reflection seems the natural outgrowth of focus, the antithesis to multitasking.  I wonder, is reflection necessary for meaningful, long term, learning, or any learning?  Meaningful is subjective but if we consider just the physical aspect, Russell Poldrack has observed physiological differences in the brain activity of those engaged in multitasking versus focused learning.  I recently attended a meeting to define the scope of a very large, complex project.  We met, literally, in an old farmhouse in the country; no phones, etc.  It was incredibly effective.  We were able to reflect upon and refine what we were learning through the dialogue and built in “reflective time”.  Many individuals study a painting or sculpture to arrive at an understanding that can’t be obtained without studious focus; can one appreciate art without focus?