Describe the difference between multitasking and combining tasks.

Answer:

Multitasking involves trying to complete many tasks at the same time, when each task really needs full attention to be completed. An example might be a person trying to write an e-mail while talking on the phone- each task interferes with the other. Focus cannot be split effectively in this way. Combining tasks involves using the downtime of one task to complete another tasks. An example would be a person trying to make a phone call while they are riding in a bus- one of the tasks is passive and the other is active. Focus can be given to one task without impacting the other. Generally, multitasking is ineffective from an efficiency standpoint and combining tasks is effective.