It seems to be received wisdom that the current youngest generation can ‘multitask’ – do many different things at the same time – more effectively than their older counterparts. A New York Times article entitled Slow Down, Brave Multitasker, and Don’t Read This in Traffic presents findings from a series of studies – Vanderbilt University, Oxford University, and one by Microsoft that seem to argue against this theory. This goes against a TIME magazine article that argued that multitasking is in fact easier for younger people.

The problem, of course, is one of generalization. We’re comparing apples with oranges here: the type of multitasking that my wife as a full-time mother is much different from what I have to deal with every day at school. I suppose what I’m saying is that it’s down to organization and prioritization of activities. Yes, we need to learn not to instantly respond to ‘prods’ by digital devices, but true multitasking involves individual literacies, aptitudes and abilities which are not adequately dealt with in newspaper and magazine articles. (via Lifehacker)