Task selection, task switching and multitasking during computer-based independent study

Bibliographic Data

ID19513742
AuthorsTerry Judd (0000-0002-4692-6701, The University of Melbourne, corresponding author)
Year2015
Volume31
Issue2
Publication date2015-04-10
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueAustralasian Journal of Educational Technology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1449-3098 • E-ISSN: 1449-5554
PublisherAustralasian Society for Computers in Learning in Tertiary Education (PUBLISHER • NZ)
DOI10.14742/ajet.1992
OpenAlexW1870665873
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited11

Detailed logs of students’ computer use, during independent study sessions, were captured in an open-access computer laboratory. Each log consisted of a chronological sequence of tasks representing either the application or the Internet domain displayed in the workstation’s active window. Each task was classified using a three-tier schema according to its likely context of use: The top-level categories being Academic , Communication , Information , Recreation and Applications . Students switched tasks frequently – median task duration was only 31 seconds. Approximately 30% of all tasks were Academic with the majority of these involving the university’s learning management system. Communication and Recreation tasks accounted for 18% and 9% of tasks respectively. Up to one half of all tasks were not related to study. Multitasking was very common during independent study sessions, particularly when Communication tasks were active. This study confirms that students are likely to regularly switch tasks, attend to distracting tasks, and multitask during independent study. Each one of these behaviours has the potential to negatively impact on students’ learning, and when combined they indicate that students are relatively inefficient at managing competing tasks and their time when studying

Cognitive psychology · Human multitasking · Machine learning · Multimedia · Computer Science · Impact of Technology on Adolescents · Online and Blended Learning · Online Learning and Analytics · Psychology

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Open DOIOpen Access