### We may have all of the information in the world practically at our fingertips, but all the access serves as a big distraction as well.

<center><img src="http://i.imgur.com/L1WGFmZ.jpg" /><br/><em><a href="https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/beautiful-minds/in-defense-of-working-memory-training/">source</a></em></center>

I know when I research a topic, I go from one tab with one topic, that can turn into three more tabs on one subject, and more tabs on each successive subject that I want to look into related to the original page I was on. Then the tabs just seem to grow and have a life of their own, almost.

[Previous tests](http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1207/s15327043hup1903_4) have been done to show our actual limitations and multitasking. **We are very limited capacity to perform two or more tasks at the same time, where brainpower takes a hit when we try to do so.** Despite that, some people are better at multitasking online, such as being able to switch between multiple webpages and find what they were looking for in previous tabs or other Windows. 

<center><img src="http://i.imgur.com/9ISPhr1.jpg" /><br/><em><a href="http://www.vitaminsdoc.com/omega-3-boost-brain-power">source</a></em></center>

### Finding what we're looking for comes down to how good our working memory is.

**Working memory deals with decision-making, planning, attention, quality, quantity of information processing and storage in both the short and long term memory.** Working memory can also be described as being able to *retain specific information while performing other tasks* or receiving other information.

[Another study](http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S104160801400140X) has shown that interruptions in our working memory reduces our ability to multitask, indicating that working memory is important to engage in multitasking. 

### Our working memory has a limited amount of storage space to keep certain information at one time. This limits our ability to do multiple things at once.

But [new research](http://aip.scitation.org/doi/abs/10.1063/1.4907815) from 2015 shows that different levels of working memory also influence multitasking behavior on the Internet.

The working memory of 30 students was assessed using an automated operation span test where they are asked to remember a series of written characters while solving mathematical problems. Then they were asked to search the Internet for four topics of their choice, two of which they did not have any prior knowledge of that subject. Having prior information on the subject means you can study it [with less effort](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12776755).

**Students with high working memory were able to switch between their topics of research and more search results, while those who had lower working memory were less able to do so. The strategy seems to enable them to reevaluate different methods for finding an answer they want, by spanning more of their attention across different tasks.**

<center><img src="http://i.imgur.com/faBcJ9R.jpg" /><br/><em><a href="http://mercercognitivepsychology.pbworks.com/w/page/32859865/Multitasking">source</a></em></center>

### Those with high working memory also said they could coordinate new and old information across multiple topics and deal with interruptions more easily. 

They also understand how to try different search entries, evaluate pages on search engines and save their data results for further evaluation later. Those with a lower working memory capacity cannot quickly evaluate content on topics they weren't familiar with and the research became more complex as they went along.

### This research confirms previous studies that indicate low working memory people have limited abilities to keep their attention on things. 

But for those with a low working memory, there are practices and exercises that help to expand working memory capacity. Cogmed Working Memory Training has been shown to enhance working memory and children and adults. The video is just below.

### Cogmed Working Memory Training
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-Pojkqekq0

The technology we use also has an impact on the usability for users who are unfamiliar with certain functionality. When people have to train themselves to use new functionality it adds to the complexity of trying to find information online. 

For someone who has a low working memory capacity, trying to learn a new technology as well as new information on subjects that are interested in, can be come a daunting task. This is why many elderly have trouble understanding how to use computers because it is a completely new form of technology that they did not familiarize themselves with throughout their lifetime.

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References:
- [Too many tabs: Why some people can multitask online and others can't](http://www.sciencealert.com/the-science-behindwhy-some-people-can-multitask-online-and-others-can-t)
- [Working Memory Dimensions as Differential Predictors of the Speed and Error Aspect of Multitasking Performance](http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1207/s15327043hup1903_4)
- [Relating Individual Differences in Cognitive Ability and Strategy Consistency to Interruption Recovery during Multitasking](http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S104160801400140X)
- [An investigation of multitasking information behavior and the influence of working memory and flow](http://aip.scitation.org/doi/abs/10.1063/1.4907815)

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@krnel
2017-01-06, 7:40am