Putting more focus on multitasking

A study published last year revealed that teachers in the classroom now have to vie with students' mobile phones and laptops for attention. Most educators agree that curbing multitasking with new media in the classrooms will be futile. SMU Associate Professor of Marketing (Education) Seshan Ramaswami commented, “There are and always will be students whose minds will rove, and today's multitude of gadgets gives them a lot to choose from to entertain themselves,” he said. In his opinion, the best way to fight back is “to be a more engaging instructor who simply compels attention”.