Distracted Driving Project
#1 FOLLOW DIRECTIONS!!! Participation points will be deducted if that simple direction is too hard for you to follow.
Materials Needed: iPad or Computer, Cellphone, TI calculator, headphones (next to iPad cart), paper, and pencil.
Project Length: 3 Days
Day 1: Activity and research
Day 2: Work on project with table members
Day 3: Present slideshow to class
Grading:
10 points - participation (being on task and productive)
10 points - quality of content
5 points - your conduct as an audience member
Total: 25 points
Think before you speak. There is always that one person who makes an insensitive comment. Don't be that person.
Take out your cell phone and look at the last text you sent. Would that text be worth dying for? Definitely not. Sending or looking at that text, tweet, post or email from behind the wheel can be deadly. In fact, studies show those who text while driving are much more likely to be in crash.
Partner up with a classmate at your table and follow the activity directions below. Be mindful of the fact that a peer in the class may have experienced a car accident themselves or had a loved one be injured or killed by one. This can be a very sensitive issue for some so be careful with what you say.
Note: Your phone is to be used for this activity only. You are NOT allowed to listen to music.
Each student should do the tasks on their own sheet of paper.
First, you will work with a partner to do tasks 1-6. Second, take notes on tasks 7-12 on your own. Write down any information you find of value to be used in the slideshow with your table members. Third, work with your whole table on task 13.
1. Compose your own text response to the message, "What are you doing later?" Imagine that one hand is on the driving wheel and text with the free hand. Keep your eyes on the road!!! Have your partner time how long it takes you to respond. Record your time and then switch roles.
2. PUT YOUR PHONE AWAY! Use the example link below for the following question. Using your time from #1, how far, in feet, would your car have traveled while going 30 mph (miles per hour)?
Conversion Example Note: The length of a football field is 360 feet.
3. Being distracted for this length of time and distance, what could happen if you were driving through a residential or commercial area?
4. How far, in feet, would your car have traveled while going 70 mph?
5. Being distracted for this length of time and distance, what could happen if you were driving on the freeway?
6. If you are comfortable, share any car accident experiences you or a loved one have had?
7. Statistics: http://www.distraction.gov/stats-research-laws/facts-and-statistics.html
California Law
8. What is the law in California for texting and driving? Do you think they should be less or more strict and why?
9. Watch the following videos USING HEADPHONES to develop a better understanding of the potential consequences of texting and driving. Only watch videos from the links provided. Warning: Some of the videos are quite graphic and intense. Let Mr. H know if you need to borrow headphones.
Accident on a Freeway Skip to 0:30: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVS6k8c79jQ
Accident on a highway: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvDMzbgBqB0
An Accident in Slow Motion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJL8SdRCHfA
A Survivor's Story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7911kgJJZc
Convicted of Vehicular Manslaughter: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdXlhJK9gXk
Convicted of Vehicular Manslaughter: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1U54b4cpPc
10. What are some of your thoughts after watching the videos?
11. Even if you think you are a ‘great’ texter, it only takes a split second for you to forever alter or end your life or the life of someone else. If you haven't prior, hopefully you will now take the pledge to never use your phone and drive. Do you pledge to not use your phone and drive?
12. Being a passenger in a car with someone who is using their phone and driving can put you in just as much danger. You must have the courage to speak up as well. When a passenger, do you pledge to speak up and insist that the driver not use their phone and drive?
When you get behind the wheel remember... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-o308cW0hKI
13. With all the members at your table you will work together to help convince friends and family of the dangers of using their phone and driving. Use the information acquired to create a google slideshow that you will present. In addition to the slideshow, your table must create a 8.5" x 11." (Standard piece of paper) poster to put up around the high school. Use statistics, tables, charts, images and/or film clips to evoke a greater response from your audience. If you are comfortable, you can share a personal experience. Your grade will be determined by the content and quality of your presentation. The two main questions used when grading is, "Was it convincing?" and "Was it professional?" Use the tips below for presenting. You will receive a ZERO if you treat the topic as something funny. If you using humor, do so in a tasteful manner. Make sure to site your sources and the end of your google slides presentation.
Extra Credit (10 points): Make a video with your group members to convince people to not use their phone and drive.
Presentation Tips:
1) If doing a google slideshow, make the font size big and bold. What can be easy to read off of an iPad can be difficult to read when it is projected.
2) Don’t read straight off of the slides. You should already know what information is on the slide being shown and be able to summarize it. You could use flash cards or another iPad which will allow to face your audience as you speak. Speak loud and clear.
3) Each slide should not be text heavy. Keep everything short and sweet.
4) Make sure you are not blocking the audience from being able to see the presentation.
5) One person should control slide switching
6) Make sure that if you have a video clip to show that it works prior to the presentation.
7) Practice your presentation before you present. Do a mock presentation prior.
8) While speaking scan the room and make eye contact with audience members.
9) Don’t use words such as “like”, “stuff””, “uhhh”, and “ummmm.”
10) Make sure you know how to pronounce all words used on your slides.
11) Be professional, show enthusiasm, and don’t laugh at your group members or yourself while presenting.
12) Be organized.
13) The audience won't take your serious unless you are serious about your presentation.
14) Ask the audience if they have any questions at the end of the presentation.