Tuesday April 24, 2012
Check out What Cocktail Parties Teach us. This article in today's WSJ points out that the brain is wired for just one thing, trying to do multiple things at once simply results in a lower overall results. Talking on the cell phone while driving results in more accidents.
As it happens, I just finished reading Smart Thinking. I have already suggested to colleague Sam Rock Professor of Psychology, that we do a joint Faculty Seminar on just this.
There is nothing radical in the book, at least not to Sam and I. But apparently those ideas would be pretty radical to the students. Yesterday i asked both classes how many watched CNBC in the morning. the answer was, no one.
I got comments like, I don't have time. Well, when are you going to have time to learn what you need to learn to function in a financial world?
I am also thinking the move to iPads is a mistake. I strongly suspect many students are e mailing and surfing rather than following along in the e book. I suspect a Kindle that is e book only would be the better idea.
Both the WSJ article and author Art Markman agree, multi-tasking does not work.
Professor Elam 
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