The Myth of Multi-tasking

I've been reading an interesting book lately called "Brain Rules: 12 principles for surviving and thriving at work, home and school." Author John Medina is a molecular biologist who specializes in applying brain research to learning situations. One point about which he is very clear is that students who allow their study time to be interrupted by email, phone calls, texting, etc. are not doing themselves any favors. "Studies show that a person who is interrupted takes 50 percent longer to perform a task. Not only that, he or she makes 50 percent more errors." (p.87) Time is a precious resource for many college-bound adults who need to juggle work and family responsibilities with school. In our study skills class, we help them learn strategies to make their learning more efficient, some as simple as finding a quiet place to study, free from interruptions. In our adult education classrooms, we require that all cell phones be turned off to protect the learning environment.
Medina suggests that we try carving out an interruption-free zone during the day to see if we get more done. That's one challenge that I would like to try.