I took the pledge

It's easy to become addicted to constant connection and to feel a sense of panic if you are away from your phone for extended periods. It's easy to think we have mastered the art of multi-tasking to the point where we can use these conveniences while driving. It's easy to think we are invincible--especially if we are young. A recent Oprah episode convinced me that this isn't the case.

I took the No Phone Zone pledge, and I encourage you all to do the same. But more importantly, I encourage us all to take a few moments in our classes to explain the potential disasters that texting or even talking on the phone while driving can cause. Students may roll their eyes, but they listen to us and look up to us more than we know. When you follow the link to the pledge, you will be taken to Oprah's website where you can watch the full episode she aired about the dangers of driving and texting. It's full of useful information, but the most shocking is that a person who is using the phone to text is more dangerous than a drunk driver. Even a person who is just talking on the phone is as dangerous as a drunk driver.

Part of teaching our students how to manage the new technologies that are at their fingertips is teaching them when they need to "unplug". Most of our students have never known a time when technology in some form didn't dominate their lives. They may not know what to do with themselves without the stimulation. But they need to understand the dangers involved in becoming too dependent on it or too complacent about how physically dangerous it can be.

I'm looking forward to my "unplugged" time in the car--a time I'll use to listen to music, talk shows, books, or just sit in silence. How often do we get to claim silence in our busy lives? We should take advantage of it when we can.