If you have absorbed the Homework Tips handout and have followed those tips, you are in a great starting space. If you have not implemented those tips yet…go back, reread the document, and set that foundation now!
Avoiding Digital Distractions While Completing Homework
“I don’t care if a kid wants to tweet while she’s watching American Idol, or have music on while he plays a video game. But when students are doing serious work with their minds, they have to have focus.”
“Parents can draw a line when it comes to homework and studying—telling their kids, ‘This is a time when you will concentrate on just one thing.’”
(http://blogs.kqed.org/mindshift/28561/how-does-multitasking-change-the-way-kids-learn/)
Before I start lecturing you on how much you allow yourself to be distracted by your electronic devices, please know that I write this as a reminder to myself, as well! I, too, have a MacBook, an iPhone, an iPad, various social media accounts, and a Kindle. I love to play games. I like to text my friends. I enjoy posting little videos to Instagram while making a playlist on Spotify. Let’s face it: we live in a digital era. So I won’t be telling you that you need to throw all your devices away because they are evil, but I will be giving you some tips that will help you get your homework done!
First off, homework will take two-to-three times longer if you have your phone nearby, Facebook up, or even the Internet running. It’s too tempting to start “researching” what you’re writing about and the next thing you know, you have gone down a two-hour wormhole about the connections between Dr. Who and Sherlock Holmes. And you were supposed to be writing about the Romantic poets!
Two important items to remember:
#1: No one truly multitasks well.
#2: No, seriously, you are NOT the exception.
Tips for all of us:
Do you know of more helpful applications not listed above? Share them with us and your classmates! Your knowledge and experience could really make a difference. Here’s to a happy, productive, and less stressful school year!