How much thought process is required for you to talk on a cell phone and do another activity at the same time? Let’s find out!
- In your group, assign three volunteers to do a fairly physical yet fun activity.
- Have the rest of the group choose a topic for the volunteers to discuss (perhaps make a topic like “cell phone use while driving”).
- Volunteers are to carry on a discussion about the chosen topic, BUT each volunteer has to pick a position (standing, sitting or leaning*) during the conversation.
- The volunteers should change positions randomly and frequently while they are talking. If one person changes from standing to sitting, then the person who is sitting must quickly pick a different position, and so on.
- Encourage the observers to yell out to the volunteers if they see more than one person in the same position at the same time.
- Continue play for a few minutes before stopping to discuss.
*NOTE: If the teaching environment does not have a chair to sit or lean on, you may alternate with kneeling or bending instead.
- Volunteers, how did you feel when doing the activity?
- Was it stressful?
- Did you make mistakes? Did it get confusing?
Doing another task that requires focus impacts your ability to carry on a conversation at the same time.
You can’t do two thinking activities at once and do them well. Please remember this and avoid your phones while driving!