Driver Texting: an issue among friends

Cell phone use while driving has been a controversial topic for some time. Now texting is becoming an issue and the friends and family members of people who text are getting involved. Go to the link below and read the article. Write a reflective comment that shows you have read the article, expresses your views, and addresses my questions.

How dangerous do you think it is to text while driving? One driver said, “I barely even look at my phone when I text.” Is it safe for this person to text while driving under those conditions? Do your parents text or talk on the cell phone while driving? If so, what do you do about it? What do you think of the statistics given comparing the percentage of female drivers who multitask versus the percentage of male drivers who multitask?

Driver Texting Article

Virtual Vacations

Taking a vacation is enjoyable for most people. The global economic situation has caused people to travel less. This week’s article suggests an alternative to real travel – virtual vacations. Go to the link below and read the article. Write a reflective comment that shows you have read the article, expresses your views, and addresses my questions.

Which of the virtual vacations mentioned in the article seem the most interesting to you. Have you used any of the programs or websites mentioned in the article? If so, what did you think of your experience? What is your impression of the road trip taken by Marc Horowitz and Pete Baldes? What do you think of their plans for September 19? Read the comments below the article. Find one that you agree or disagree with and make a statement about it.

Virtual Vacations Article

Technology and the decline in critical thinking

Critical thinking is a skill that we try to develop at our school. This week’s article looks at the negative effects that technology has had on critical thinking. You may find some surprising findings as you read. Go to the link below and read the article. Write a reflective comment that shows you have read the article, expresses your views, and addresses my questions.

The article states that reading for pleasure has declined in young people. How much do you read for pleasure? How would you answer the questions from the article, “How much should schools use new media, versus older techniques such as reading and classroom discussion?”? In addition to the use of PowerPoint presentations, what should teachers do to increase using visual media to test students? What should schools do to encourage students to read for pleasure? What should parents do? Do you know people who play violent media games? Do they show any of the effects mentioned in the article? What surprised you most about the article?

Critical Thinking Article