Changing Minds

A chapter on multitasking in Higher Education has recently been published in a new book Higher Education Computer Science by a member of the Computing team Liz Coulter-Smith.


Coulter-Smith L (2018) "Changing Minds: Multitasking in Lectures"  Higher Education Computer Science DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-98590-9_1


Abstract
This chapter takes a multidisciplinary approach to multitasking. Media multitasking has, consequently, become a frequent topic amongst academics yet some remarkable new research reveals we may not be taking into full account the changes to our students’ ability to learn given the changes to their brains. The risks of multitasking to student achievement has been well researched yet many of the positive related developments in the neurosciences are less well known. This chapter reviews some of this research bringing together information foragingInformation foraging theory, cognitive control and confirmation bias as they relate to the multitasking Generation Z student in higher education. Some significant research findings are discussed including using laptops and similar devices in the classroom. A small survey underpins these discussions at the end of the chapter highlighting student perspectives on multitasking during lectures.



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