2023 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Abstract:
This research paper describes the evidence-based study on how thinking capabilities can be affected significantly (negatively) with excessive focus exhaust. It is very important to make sure your brain is not exhausted and not losing its thinking capabilities. With respect to research, it is found that both focus and un-focus are vital for efficient thinking and learning. When you unfocused your brain, it uses the energy to activate old memories, goes back and forth between past, present, and future, and reinforces imaginative and creative thinking (1).
A study conducted at the University of British Columbia (2) suggests that people who are struggling to solve complex problems might switch off to simple and short tasks. This switch will distract their brains and reinforce their thinking capabilities.
To improve students' success and their thinking capabilities, we applied the proposed strategy. During exams, in addition to the course-related test questions, irrelevant logic questions were asked. The main objective is set to un-focus their thinking and prevent excessive focus exhaust before they give up during the exams and improve their success rate.
Two different test groups were prepared. The first group of students was the control group, and this group received the test with only course-related questions. The second group of students was the experimental group, and this group received the test with course-related and irrelevant logic questions. Both groups received the same course-related questions. The experimental group, who received the mixed test, had a chance to un-focus their brain from overthinking, refresh their mind and go back and solve the test.
This experiment was implemented for multiple courses including theoretical courses as well as problem-solving courses, both for lower-level classes as well as upper-level classes in engineering. Consistent with the research, the success rate of the group which had a chance to un-focus was found greater than the control group.
References:
1. Sirini Pillay, " Your Brain Can Only Take So Much Focus" Harward Business Review, May 2017.
2. University of British Columbia. "Brain's Problem-solving Function At Work When We Daydream." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 12 May 2009. .