Distracted by Everything: Being Wired At All Times

In today’s world, we are immersed in technology. Students are wired at all times, convinced they can multitask – text, email, follow a lecture, listen to music and answer a call, all at the same time. Researchers and professors at MIT say they cannot multitask successfully, that it is not possible to absorb and learn while doing many different things. Are students right? Would it be unfair for educators to restrict their multitasking options?

Check out our New Media Literacies curriculum for ESL instructors where we address this important issue for educators in the 21stcentury. Drawing on this video clip, Distracted by Everything – Frontline: Digital Nation we explore multitasking in our lesson plan Distracted by Everything: Wired at All Times.

Watch the full episode. See more FRONTLINE.

Have we got it right? How do educators use technology effectively with students to promote active engagement rather than distraction?

Try this quiz with your students to find out how balanced your technology use is with other areas of your life. Click on this link Be Honest: Do You Have a Balanced Relationship with the Technology in Your Life? and look for Technology in Your Life quiz.

For lesson plans activities and online resources check out KQED Education New Media Literacies web page.