Screening Baggage and Playing Video Games

In this week’s article, the author poses the idea that security screeners at airports might do a better job spotting weapons if they spent their downtime playing video games. Go to the link below and read the article. Write a reflective comment about the article and address my questions.

How do you feel about the government report and the Transportation Security Administration document that were mentioned in the article? Is the money that is being spent to study the problem sufficient? Is the money being spent well? How would you try to improve the situation? Which of the research findings surprised you the most?

Screening Article

Cellphone Vigilantes

Have you ever been annoyed by someone using a cellphone in public in such a way that everyone around them had to listen to the conversation? If so you are not alone. This week’s article is about one way that some people are dealing with this problem. Go to the link below and read the article. Then, write a reflective comment that expresses your views and answers my questions.

How frequently do you find yourself in situations in which someone uses their cellphone in a manner that disturbs others? How do you react? Do you ever use your cellphone in a way that disturbs others? What solutions can you suggest for dealing with this problem? Would it be appropriate to have laws that forbid using a cellphone while driving?

Cellphone Vigilantes Article

Cellphones as Incentives

Many schools ban the use of cellphones during the school day. This week’s article is about a proposal to use them as a reward. Go to the link below and read the article. Write a reflective comment that demonstrates you have read the article and addresses my questions.

Is Mr. Fryer’s proposal likely to make a difference in the New York City schools? Is it appropriate to reward students who do well? What kinds of incentives would work in our school? What sort things should students be rewarded for? How would you go about developing academic success in schools with students from low-income families?

Cellphones as incentives article