Media Literacy & multi -tasking

Of the eleven core competencies discussed in Jenkins report, one jumped out at me-- it was multi-tasking. Jenkins described schools as having taught students to be farmers ( one step following another) rather than hunters (adapting to changing conditions, thinking quickly, responding efficiently). I think students need to be able to be hunters and farmers. More importantly, I think multitasking is over-hyped as a skill.  There are times and activities that lend themselves to multi-tasking (washing dishes while making almond poppyseed muffins) and others do not (driving and talking on a cell phone).  My students spend hours longer on homework cause they feel compelled to  text message, download and listen to music, and attempt to read a densely written history essay.