Jim Davies teaches the popular Mysteries of Mind (CGSC 1001) course at Carleton. This article in The Conversation is about how multitasking is often impossible, but sometimes you should doodle in class:
When somebody can juggle lots of things at the same time, we often say that they are good “multitaskers.” All of us multitask once in a while.
For example, talking on the phone while driving makes your driving worse, because you’re distracted. (Laws allowing hands-free cellphone use are misguided; distracted driving has nothing to do with whether you’re using your hands or not.)
But there are other studies that suggest multitasking may have benefits. One study showed that talking on the phone during long, monotonous drives might help keep drivers alert and awake. And other studies show that students sitting in a “boring” lecture may be better off doodling, because the combination of activities keeps their minds occupied.
Read the rest of this article on The Conversation…