Technology and Transportation

Introduction/Minds On
(10 minutes)

Part one

• Place the images in Appendix 1: Modes of Transportation on the board.
• Ask students what the images have in common.
• Help students realize that the images represent ways they travel to school.
• Ask students if they use any other methods of transportation.

Part two

• Place images from Appendix 2: Technology Gadgets on the board.
• Ask students what the images have in common.
• Help students recognize the images of electronic devices they may use.
• Ask students if they use any other electronic gadgets.

Part three

• Place images from Appendix 3: Environmental Conditions on the board.
• Ask students what the images have in common.
• Help students realize that all the images are of situations they may encounter on their way to school.
• Ask students if they can think of other situations they encounter on their way to school.

Development/Action:
(30 minutes)

Teachers note: Students’ prior learning, learning style and reading ability will have a big impact on how well they are able to do this activity. Consider alternate approaches, such as reading the material to them.

Part one

• Give each student Appendix 4: Safety Scenario, Skateboard and ask them to wait for a signal before looking at it.
• Give students one minute to complete the task in the appendix.

Part two

• Give each student Appendix 5: Safety Scenario, Mountain Bike and ask them to wait for a signal before looking at it.
• Play loud music while students complete the task in one minute.
• Discuss with students how this exercise is similar to real-life situations, such as in-line skating while listening to music.

Part three

• Give each student Appendix 6: Safety Scenario, ATV and ask them to wait for a signal before looking at it.
• Give students one minute to complete the task. However, every 10 seconds ask students to get up, walk around their chair and then return to work. (You might also have students complete simple math calculations on their calculators while walking around the class to mimic text messaging.)
• Discuss how this exercise is similar to real-life situations, such as texting while cycling.

Consolidation/Debrief
(20 minutes)

• Use Appendices 1, 2 and 3 to demonstrate the potential dangers of using electronic devices while travelling. Demonstrate that trying to avoid a dog crossing the street while cycling and listening to music is dangerous, if not impossible.
• Ask students if they can think of other similar dangerous situations.
• Emphasize that travelling on roadways while using electronic devices is dangerous.

Teacher Assessment

Use Appendix 7: Rubric to assess students.