Can We Do it All?

In this project, we will be finding if multitasking is as efficient as monotasking.
Aqsa Jadalowen Hanin El Jichi
Grade 7

Presentation

No video provided

Hypothesis

  • Although this factor is not mentioned in the question, age will affect the participants abilities because the brain weakens as humans grow older. 
  • Multitasking will not be as productive because both tasks are competing for focus-—for key efficiency and quality, one task must require less brain power than the other.

Research

Variables

 

Controlled

  • Duration
  • Sequence
  • Room conditions
  • Verbal instructions
  • Task
  • Recorded words
  • Voices
  • Drawing

Manipulative

  • The task condition [multitasking or monotasking.]
  • Participant approach.

Responding

  • Whether multitasking is as, more, or less efficient as monotasking.

Procedure

1.Draw

- participants are asked to draw a house. They have 2 miutes to do so, and every 15 seconds we ask them to add a detail like windows, pathaways, brick walls, etc.

2.Listen

- a 2 minute audio of randomized words are played and participants just listen. the audio is the same for all the participants. they do not know the next step.

3.Recall

- 1 minute to write down as many words as they can remember.

4.Draw and listen

- participants do step 1 and step 2 at the same time. the list of words is different than the first one but same across tests.

5. recall

- participants have 1 minute to write down as many words as the can remmeber.

Observations

  • Participants who strategized to remember the words did well.
  • Kids were most confident when writing the words.
  • Both genders did equal.
  • Participants who did significantly worse on the multitasking test had drawings as good as the monotasking test.
  • Participants were more visibly confused during the second test.

Analysis

Conclusion

  • The hypothesis was partially correct.
  • Participants did not excel in the multitasking portion of the experiment, however, adults performed better than kids.
  • The adult brain was more efficient than the child’s brain, showing that in fact, as human’s age and work more, their multitasking brains develop.

Application

  • Multitasking training and practice.
  • Efficiency tools on when and how to multitask.
  • Multitasking isn’t always bad for the body, but when overdone, it can have negative effects and worsen work quality and efficiency.

Sources Of Error

  • More contestants.
  • Controlled amount of people per test.
  • Questions for each participant before they are tested [eg., do you plan out your days?]
  • AI for recording words.
  • Script for instructions.
  • Less words and details.

Citations

Acknowledgement

Attachments

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