I have noticed a self-perception over the last week or so that I have tended towards becoming distracted by my need to check my various devices for messages, tweets, updates, etc. Now it may be that my perception of the issue is tainted. Due to a busy workload at the moment I have taken to keeping lists of tasks to be undertaken and, as is the way, as soon as I score one task off, I add three more on. This means that my perception of progress may be that I am not making any headway which may lead me to under appreciate what I have achieved. This under appreciation may be making me feel that I am wasting time when I am checking my devices, thus leading to over accounting for the amount of time I am using up in this checking.
Another alternative is that in my growing frustration at my inability to reduce the list of tasks in front of me I am seeking solace in checking my updates for that brief moment of pleasure associated with a new message or new update. In this case my perception of distraction may actually be true.
Yet another possible interpretation is that my perception is correct and I am actually suffering from distraction brought about by my mobile devices. Maybe I am checking my devices repeatedly during the day and as a result interrupting activities that I might otherwise focus on and complete.
To help answer the question I have downloaded an app, “Checky” to my mobile devices to provide me with some quantitative data to compare with and either confirm or refute my perception. The app basically keeps a log and reports on my daily device usage. I will share further in a few weeks’ time once I have sufficient data to at least draw some initial conclusions.
In the meantime, do you give thought to your personal use of Tech, to how long you use it for, to the frequency you check your devices or to what you use it for? How do you confirm or validate your perceptions?
Technology and Learning