Do the younger generations multitask more?
Judd (2013) observed that students multitasked 70% of the time in a self-study computer lab (e.g. working on a document while searching for electronic resources). Students focused fully on one task only 10% of the time.
However to support Prensky's claims, multitasking would need to be lower in 'digital immigrant' generations. |
Brasel and Gips (2011) set up a lab environment with a television and a computer, both switched on, and invited staff and students to use them as they wished. Everybody attended primarily to the computer, but students switched attention to the television more often, while staff watched to the television for longer intervals less often. Students said they multitasked more and enjoyed it more, compared with staff.
Zwarun and Hall (2014) asked people filling in an online survey whether they were multitasking.
Zwarun and Hall (2014) asked people filling in an online survey whether they were multitasking.
Their data suggests that younger people do multitask more, and that this occurs across all types of activities.