Multitasking? LOL!

I've been back in grad school for about three weeks now, enough time to have finished-up the third session of this semester's gawd, it's a whole semester three classes. Three of 'em. I'm on the fast track. I slogged through 6+ years for my Master's and I swore I'd never do anything so slow and agonizing again. I'll finish-up the bulk of this certificate by December, except for my practicum. I'd rather be crabby and have no life for 12 months instead of for 30.

Besides, I'm 45. I'm beyond gunning for a 4.0, I have a life to live.

I have to say, the technology surrounding college these days is fascinating. Unlike those of us in k-12 education who believe in "anytime, anywhere learning" colleges can actually start practicing it. Courses meet about 60 miles up the road; but those of us here in the Cities, in Thief River Falls, in Bemidji, can attend via interactive TV, via streaming video or via phone. I can even "attend" asynchronously via the video later. One thing that would make it better would be the option of a podcast.

I've tried each, and the hands-down winner is the phone. For the first 30-minutes of one of last week's classes I was out walking around the neighborhood with my bluetooth ear bud and my cell on mute. I focused better than I had previously when I sat in front of the computer watching the streaming video. I could be outside! Then I did laundry! I emptied the dishwasher! I could un-mute and offer input at any time this week...grocery shopping >:-) .

People say kids these days multitask when all that kids are doing is engaging in three of the same thing: they're emailing, I-Ming and text messaging all at the same time...maybe even while they're writing their paper for class. THE task is writing. They're DOING ONE THING on multiple electronic pieces of paper. And, on most they're writing things like: cold today lol or i c u hahaha or did u c harpers shirt omg.

Multitasking, my arse.

Let's see them synthesize, jog AND present a coherent verbal argument that actually relates to the concept being discussed in a room 60 miles away.

I want to see them attend class AND debate a current educational issue through their bluetooth while bicycling.

Kids these days...they're soft, soft, I tell you.

- OB