Is multitasking ruining our concentration?

       I will tell you right now that I am not good at multitasking (but I'm supposed to be one since I'm a woman, right?); but, like all teenagers, I do it anyway. When you really think about it, though, multitasking is terrible. It distracts you from really focusing on getting your work done, and, I bet that if I didn't respond every time someone texted me, I would get my genetics homework done a lot faster than it normally takes me. But I find that sometimes having background noise really helps me. And, I can tell you right now that I'm multitasking while writing this. Again, I could get this done a lot quicker if I wasn't. 
       In the first article that I read, these observers took notes in a 15 minute period how much work a student got done, and only 65% of the work was completed. In all honesty, I'm not surprised at all and I would probably be the same way. 
       Last year, my roommates and I had to reach a book for our Search for Meaning class. Well, none of us were getting it done, so we decided to put all our phones in the middle of the floor just so that we'd get it done. How sad is it that we've had to resort to that? 
       I had to take a multitasking test, and the results are.....
"You might get the job done eventually, but I bet it makes your head spin! If you insist upon studying with your media toys buzzing, allow for more time and check for mistakes. Got some serious work to do? Turn it all off and concentrate on your books!" Which, I must say, I totally agree with this. And I think my parents would agree more. I can remember them yelling at me when I was in middle and high school to put my phone away and concentrate on my studies. Oh, how times don't change...

Think you're an ace at multitasking? Take the quiz here!
For the article that I used, click here.

From pocket watches to Apple watches

       Wearable technology... I don't think I would ever see the day that this would occur. That's something that you see in movies and TV shows (Cookie from Ned's Declassified School Survivor Guide, anyone?). I can't picture just searching the web from my glasses lens. 

       But, this really cool company called Adela Health has made this vest/t-shirt that you wear, called TruPosture, that can correct your posture! As a health geek, this is totally something that I would wear. Though, I will say, my biggest fear is that I'll wear something super technologically advanced and it would all of a sudden just burst into flames. Pretty irrational, but still. The company claims that is "a safe and natural way to improve your posture." It's super specific and can even detect 1/2 a degree of misalignment. While the vest is targeted for fixing office back problems, it can also be used while doing yoga or weightlifting. 

       I think that wearable technology will catch on in the health department, like the TruPosture. If you think about the pulse oximeter, people are technically already wearing technology. I, however, would not want to wear technology like Google glasses, or an Apple watch. I am very happy with using just a regular watch and wearing just regular glasses. I am so not ready to embrace this new wearable technology. And, if the Google glasses do catch on, how are school's going to regulate the use of them (like cheating or texting) especially when they look like regular glasses? I think the more advanced technology gets, the more problems that come along with it. 

For more information on the TruPosture, click here.

Addicted to your phone? Me too!

       I know for sure that I am definitely addicted to my phone. It doesn't leave my side and is always in arms reach. I would say that even when I'm watching TV and a commercial comes on, I pull out my phone. Waiting for line for lunch... I pull out my phone. I've even looked up from a conversation to say "what was that...?" because I was, you guessed it, looking at my phone. This generation is definitely addicted to our phones, but I fear the younger generation is a lot worse when it comes to phones and other means of technology. My three year old niece is always wanting to play on my phone. 

       I think for the most part I'm in tune with my surroundings; I haven't been hit by a car yet. However, I've noticed that some people are so ignorant when they're on their phones! Even as I'm walking to Iadarola, I have to go out my way just so that you don't walk into me. The nerve of some people's children. 

       FYI: A paragraph deep into this, I pulled out my phone because I told myself that I needed to "take a break." Seriously, what is going on with the world? 

       I could understand if you're waiting for a friend outside the caf and don't want to seem awkward, or if you're responding to a quick text while walking to class, but if someone is telling a story...eye contact and looking interested in what they're saying is a huge deal of respect, and sometimes people, and even myself, are guilty of not giving that person said respect. 

       Now I've said that I'm totally addicted to my phone, and certain family members (my dad) are also super addicted, and even some of my cousins...basically, everyone in my family is addicted (we're really trying to kick the habit). 

       BUT! I've decided to do a little experiment, and I've taken the idea from a Buzzfeed video. I will download the app "Moment" to track how much I am on my phone on an average day. SO! The results got updated a little late... But the grand total is.......
Total time: 4 hours and 2 minutes, and I picked up my phone a total of 50 times! That's pretty ridiculous, but in my defense, I needed to take pictures for my genetics lab of chromosomes, so I'm sure that added extra time. Take the challenge, too, and post your total time and amount of pick ups in the comments below!