As I was reading the most recent issue of Time magazine yesterday, I came across the following snippet:

The Couch-Potato Generation
A Kaiser Family Foundation study found that U.S. kids ages 8 to 18 are consuming more media than ever before. According to the survey, children and teens are now using their phones, computers, TVs and video game systems for a total of 7.5 hours a day, or 52.5 hours a week. The authors explain that multitasking and dual-use devices such as cell phones that play video push those figures even higher. In the past decade, listening to music has increased the most--up nearly an hour per day.

The only leisure activity that has become less popular is reading.

I must report that I was not thoroughly disheartened, as one might imagine an English teacher who is attempting to inspire a love for reading would be. I was instead intrigued and more determined than ever--not necessarily to buck this trend, but to capitalize on it. How can I use cell phones for good rather than EVIL (pronounced E-ville)? Is there a place for them in the modern English classroom? How can I get kids who CONSTANTLY read "junk" on the Internet read some "non-junk?" How can a knowledge of video games with their imaginative characters and complicated plot lines be incorporated into some type of analysis or writing assignment?

These are the questions that crowd my metaphorical inbox :)