Multitasking in Education During Pandemic: A Boon or a Bane?

Gwyneth A. Payumo

We live in a world that is rapidly changing because of technological advancements. This evolution has resulted in changes that have an impact on how we live our lives today. Influences from technology have been pervasive in practically every facet of our present society, including our educational systems. As expectations for both students and teachers have risen in our classrooms, we are witnessing an increase in educational technology being utilized in the academic world and at all levels and an increase in what we term multitasking. Managing and executing many activities is one of the most impressive elements of the human brain system.

Humans can always do multiple things at the same time. Teachers' multitasking has received more scrutiny in recent years. Multitasking in the modern setting frequently states several adverse results that have increased destruction, hampered learning, and affected teachers' performance and students' achievements.

The work of teachers is described as becoming more complex and intense. Reasons for this include societal changes, reformed and increased job tasks, the changed moral and normative character of teacher work, and teachers' experiences of doing multiple things at once and always thinking about their work. Teachers are the masters of multitasking. They oversee student learning and serve as surrogate parents, disciplinarians, evaluation specialists, and mentor administrators.

Teachers must multitask to be accessible and respond quickly to the needs and demands of higher authority. Teachers are responsible for the continuous process that results from regularly switching tasks. Teachers must, however, be productive when dealing with the different jobs and responsibilities that come with multitasking. Increasing the ability to switch between roles quickly can help teachers improve the many varied skills required to manage an avalanche of information and ideas successfully. However, experience is essential for developing the analytic and critical thinking abilities required to prioritize and manage various tasks.

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The author is Teacher III at Juan Navarro Elementary School, Capas East District, Schools Division of Tarlac Province, Region III – Central Luzon