Description
It’s happened to all of us.  You’ve got a project you’re working on that needs to be done. A message from your friend pops up with a funny new Bernie Sanders meme, which inspires you with an idea for another meme. You start searching for memes.  Your search results include a new music video parody with Bernie in it. You click the link to watch the video.  Another suggested video shows up with a preview for that new movie you’ve been waiting to see . . . yada yada yada . . . It's 11pm and your project still isn’t done.

 

Okay, maybe that’s just me, but we all have issues with distraction.  And with the amount of time we spend on screens during remote learning and home quarantines those distractions have become an increasing problem - especially for our kids.   Join us today as we try to focus on distraction as we discuss “The Covid Effect”.

 
Lessons Learned
Dennis - Online learning requires low tech tools.  Have “Justin Case Bags” ready to go at a moment’s notice.

Chris - I’d have a lesson learned, but I got so distracted with pop-up alerts on my screen that I never got my “lesson learned” done. Has that ever happened to you?

Daniel - Manage your iMovie hard Disk space. Terminology: Library & Projects.  Have your teachers or students create new libraries each semester.

 
Fun Fact
22 Palindrome Dates in 2021

From the Farmers Almanac (https://www.farmersalmanac.com/what-palindrome-28106 (https://www.farmersalmanac.com/what-palindrome-28106))

According to the Farmers' Almanac, 2021 will have a total of 22 palindrome dates, which are dates that read the same forwards and backward in four, five, and six-digit formats.

From January 20 - 29 we had 10 straight days of 5 digit palindromes.

In December we’ll have another 9 straight days.

 
Notes & Links
NYTimes Article:  https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/16/health/covid-kids-tech-use.html (https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/16/health/covid-kids-tech-use.html)

 

Blog Post from Brad Jasper

“How to Maintain Your Productivity During a Crisis”

https://heyfocus.com/blog/maintain-productivity-in-a-crisis/ (https://heyfocus.com/blog/maintain-productivity-in-a-crisis/)

 

* Identify what distractions you can control and what you can’t.  (Your Circle of Control)
* Monitor your media intake
* Use a web site blocker
* Establish a News-Free morning (That includes personal news on FB/Twitter/Insta)
* Take time for your own mental health (i.e. Tai chi)

 

Students picked up a lot of bad habits during the pandemic.  How do we help them learn to manage distraction?

* Understand what distracts them. They often don’t even realize it.

* Use ScreenTime  - https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208982 (https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208982)

* Manage their distraction and Focus on schoolwork - block distracting apps, web sites, and notifications when you need to concentrate on work.

* Focus app for Mac - https://heyfocus.com/ (https://heyfocus.com/)
* The Pomodoro Technique - https://heyfocus.com/blog/master-the-pomodoro-timer/ (https://heyfocus.com/blog/master-the-pomodoro-timer/)

* Turn off notifications
* Make communication channels different from personal.  (i.e. Canvas & PowerSchool Learning vs. WhatsApp, WeChat)
* Separate personal from school - Create a second user or use a second computer that only has school related apps, minimal browser extensions.