This class has made me realize the importance of keeping up with technology. I’ve begun to understand how imperative it is for me to continue with my learning about technology. Though I don’t student teach for another four semesters, I can still keep up with educational technology.
I want to subscribe to a technology and teaching magazine to get some classroom ideas. I also look for conferences, workshops, and observation opportunities in areas of interest for teaching. I’ve decided to make an effort to research these opportunities with regards to technology. The MACUL program was the most interesting to me. I’m thinking about joining the association. I’m also probably going to go to the conference in Grand Rapids this spring.
I know that I must stay up with the technology in order to be an effective teacher. I’m strong in basic computer functions, but I feel weak with educational tools and software. Hopefully the things I mentioned earlier that I want to do will help me to achieve this.

Authority: There is no exact author given, but it is hosted by Stormfront.
Affliliation: I don’t believe that the site can be linked to any agencies or schools. The website cannnot be truncated.
Content: I think that the content is inappropriate for classroom use. None of the items have been backed-up or affirmed to be truth. The website is one-sided and attacks Martin Luther King, Jr.
Audience & Currency: This site is NOT acceptable for my students. Many of the links led to inapproriate comments about Martin Luther King. The date is not given.
Design: The site does load fast. Most of the links work, and work quickly. I was unable to download the flyers and the video.

I think this site is inapproriate for use in schools. It gives a very one-sided opinion on Martin Luther King, Jr. I think that it is someone’s website that is just against King. While reading it you can sense the tension and ill-feelings. Students can learn to be less trusting of the internet by seeing examples of bad websites. However, the teacher must be careful on the kind of websites that they are using as bad examples of ones to use. For example, I would not use this website, because I find it EXTREMEMLY unreliable, and inappropriate. They also should have the information about how to evaluate websites and web research. I used google to search, and the website came up 3rd on the list. I think that the website is so high on the list because it includes the exact words put in the search. The words are even in the correct order.

Constructivism is a big trend in education. It is an interactive way of learning, focusing on the whole. I think that Constructivism will work in my classroom one day, and I plan on using it as a main form of instruction. I’m going to teach elementary students with learning disabilites and I feel that this kind of instruction will be beneficial. The interaction, hands-on nature, and fun-learning environment are all positives for my future classroom. I’ve found that many learning disabled students like to figure things out themselves. They often don’t appreciate having things simplified or feeling like things are simplified for them. Using the Constructivist theory, you could do interactive learning, and this would be less intrustive for the students. The hands-on activities keep the learners engaged and often times are the main reason that the students benefit and succeed. I have seen the positive effects of using this kind of instruction with ADD and ADHD students. Giving an ADD or ADHD student the opportunity for group work and interaction will help them to channel their energy in positive ways. The Constructivist theory allows for this learning environment and will be the main source of learning for me.