A Longitudinal Perspective on Multitasking and Collaborative Problem Solving

• In Event: Problem Solving in Complex Settings: Technologies, Teams, and Learning Environments

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine problem-solving abilities in complex settings. The main question asked was: how are collaborative problem-solving processes different from independent problem-solving processes over time? A total of 104 university students (63 female and 41 male) participated in an experimental study. Participants were randomly assigned to four different experimental groups: individual & multi task, collaborative & multi task, individual & single task, and collaborative & single task. Results showed that the participants who collaborated and had multitasking activities outperformed the others. Additionally, collaboration helped to improve overall performance.

Authors

• Dirk Ifenthaler, University of Mannheim

• Lin Lin, University of North Texas

• Leila Mills, University of North Texas

• Nicole Bellin-Mularski, University of Potsdam

• Dana-Kristin Mah, University of Potsdam