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Empowering English Language Learners

To Drive or Not to Drive? That is the Question

1/30/2013

8 Comments

 
This is the question posed to fourth year technical college students this week in a role play activity where students will decide whether or not to permit self-driving technology onto the streets of Japan. This activity was introduced as a means to help students get comfortable voicing opinions, arguing points, and acting out a professional meeting with a cross-cultural component.  Students first read some adapted news about Google's self-driving car and legislation regarding automated vehicle technology in the United States, and watched the video below.  Next, they were given role cards outlining their new roles as members of an important Japanese committee, consisting of people from the Japanese and United States business, technology, government, and civilian sectors.  Each candidate is either for or against allowing self-driving technology on the roads of Japan, and must argue their perspective.  Each member is also tasked with challenging or responding to another team member.  After each member states their case, we will vote.  Look back to see what our mock committee thinks about an automated vehicle future!

Also, check out this TedTalk (in less than 6 minutes) where Google's engineer Sebastian Thrun discusses his mission in making the car.  Japanese subtitles are available.

2/1/2013

We voted today.  The majority of students voted for the acceptance of self-driving technology in Japan, in and out of their roles.  Please add comments below for why you are for or against self-driving technology.
8 Comments
Nobuyuki
1/31/2013 01:43:57 pm

I worryed about selfdriving car for Japan, because in Japan earthquake happen ofthen especialy near the Tokyo. I guess selfdribving car would be useless in the stuation like the Tohoku earthquake.
So, I disagree with selfdriving system.

Reply
Ayaka
1/31/2013 01:44:08 pm

I'm agree this opinion because we can drive a car easely and safety.but also we should carfully about car crash.

Reply
shuto
1/31/2013 01:47:22 pm

I against it.
because it's too new technology. so people can't believe machine can drive safely.

Reply
Hideaki
1/31/2013 01:49:56 pm

i agree with system. these days nissan and VW devaloped auto break system and cruis control. self-driving technology is evolution of these.self-driving technology is not far technology

Reply
Machi
1/31/2013 01:50:53 pm

I don't want to allow the self driving car on the public load, because it is too new technology. I think there are lots of problem to it run on the public load. in the movie, people who is blind was on the self driving car, but if some problem happen to the car, he can't notice or solve the problem. it is very dangerous. so, i want to develop more this technology before the car on the public load.

Reply
Biju
1/31/2013 01:54:38 pm

I want self driving technology, because, in the future, we have to go around by car by works, I want to use my driving time to work or do something.

Reply
riku
1/31/2013 01:55:54 pm

i agree with this opinion
because it is easy to drive. and during driving we can do another things.

Reply
Akinori
1/31/2013 01:57:59 pm

I worried about self driving car.
It is too dangerous. Because If machine is breake, It will breake car. So, it not good tecnology.

Reply



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    Author

    I'm Sarah Forbes. I'm the
    K-1 ELL Teacher at John F. Kennedy Elementary,  Vermont, and President-Elect of the Northern New England TESOL Board. I have my MATESOL and K-12 Licensure in ESL. I spent several years teaching English in Japan at Kanazawa Technical College and have also worked at Saint Michael's College as the Graduate Assistant to the Applied Linguistics Department, and Instructor in the Intensive English Program, and Summer TESOL Certificate Program. In addition, I have worked with Vermont Refugee Resettlement and through local grant budgets to provide English classes for Adults from the refugee community. I am passionate about sharing resources and experiences that can help other teachers in their work with ELLs.

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