Article Review #1

Does your teen need a break from all that technology?

http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/family/sc-fam-0603-parenthood-multitask-20100603,0,2724881.story

Description:
 This article asks the question: How much is too much for teenagers to handle in terms of technology and multitasking.  The article asks for input from parents and experts.  Most of the parents' opinions are there are certain activities where multitasking is appropriate, such as doing chores and talking on the phone, and inappropriate, such as texting and driving.  Most experts agree with this division of appropriate and inappropriate multitasking.  They also introduce the question of the teenager's performance.  If the teenager can do well in school as they watch television and do homework at the same time, then that multitasking, is probably fine.  However, if a student is not doing well in school, it is time for parents to step in and end the multitasking that is detrimental to their teenager. 

Analysis:
    This article includes both parents and experts concerning a topic that is highly individual to the teenager and their abilities.  Parents and teachers need to be aware that teenagers may not be able to handle multitasking and working with multiple technologies.  This all depends on a particular teen's abilities, interests, and development.  It is extremely important for teachers to know each individual child's abilities to multitask and concentrate in order to reach that student. 

Reflection: 
    I think that this article is very important when I look at the research that has come forward in the last year about multitasking.  New research is claiming that no one actually 'multitasks'.  People just dovetail activities so quickly that it seems like they are multitasking.  If students are studying in front of the t.v., they are not putting forward all of their mind to studying.  This does worry me, because I am the student that does study in front of the radio or t.v.  and I usually retain the information for a day and then forget it.  I want to make sure that I am encouraging my students to learn the material, not just remember it for the test.  This does encourage me to explicitly help my students understand the best way for them to study.