my ed205 class

Q:Describe your own plan for professional development with regard to technology…..
I guess how I plan to continue my professional development with regards to technology depends largely on what and where I will teach. Rather, the level of students I end up teaching. I will, God willing, be certified elementary regular education and special education. My experiences with special education (almost all have been with severe to moderately impaired) is that, the classrooms and students are all very low technology. The teachers might use the computer to communicate with parents; however this is limited to the ability of the parents. Also I have seen teachers use the computer to seek out ideas or for clip art but not as an interactive tool with the students. I would have to agree to this given my limited knowledge about lower functioning special education rooms. However if I taught in a resource room I could see using a computer as a direct tool and valuable resource. In my opinion if the technology is being used and/or a use is necessary or beneficial than it is the duty of the facilitator to stay up on how and why to use it. I enjoy taking classes or seminars on new things or ideas. I looked up the Kent county ISD web sight where it tells about upcoming trainings available. There were several I would be interested in taking and could gain something out of attending. I hope this will still be the case in a few years. I also think conversation with other educators such as the class discussion board we have, would be a great way to see what other people are doing. I know there are great journals and other resource out there to help keep me in the know. At this point in my life I really do not have anymore time for extra reading. However when I am teaching and my students are my job, I feel it will be my job to keep up on any new and possibly better ways to teach.
If I end up teaching lower elementary, the need to stay up on the latest ways to use the various forms of technology will be a must. In today’s society if you do not give students, even the younger ones, the skills necessary to make it in this high tech world you are failing them. Besides my opinion is that a computers provide “hands on” activities that in turn solidifies learning in a way traditional teaching cannot do. Once again if as a teacher I do not stay on top of things I am doing a disservice to my students. I would like to think that some day I could pick and chose the school I accept a job from, based on their priority to technology. But right now in my life I will just be happy to have a job. So I guess it would be irresponsible to say I could or would lean on my district to teach me or provide the teaching of the latest technology out there. But it would be nice.

I am evaluating a web page regarding Martina Luther King Jr. with the URL: http://www.martinlutherking.org/. The questions are:
1. Is the author identified? No it does not state an author. It does state it is “hosted by Stormfront”.
2. Are credentials listed? Nothing is sighted. In fact it seems as if all the information goes against all the normal accepted information regarding this subject.
3. Affiliation: Yes it is affiliated with “Stormfront” a White Nationalist Community
4Content: Is the site provided as a public service? Yes it seems to be however the agenda is that of a racial intent. It is a sight against Dr. King. It even has downloadable material available and suggest passing out such material to students in schools.
5. Does it relate to your curriculum? I would never use this sight. It does not seem to be historical or at least the history I am familiar or care to pass on to my children and/or students. There is no value in spread hate and racism.
6. Audience & Currency: is the site suitable for your students? No it is not suitable for young minds at all. I would say it is not even suitable for healthy adult minds. This type of information is corruptible and breads hate. How up to date is the site? Based on some of its sighted information it seems as if it has at least been written within the last 6 years. There is not a sighted date. Reading level appropriate? It is most likely a middle school level.
7 Design: does the site load fast? Yes. Use graphics appropriately? Yes. Easy to navigate, do the links work? Yes, it is very easy and well designed. It seems friendly and looks very appropriate for students. Very deceptive.
8 Overall I would not recommend using this sight in any classroom.

What do I think about Constructivism as a style/theory of teaching?
Maybe it is my psychology background or that I first went to school in the early 90’s but Constructivism sounds pretty good to me. It is my opinion that if a person sees a real life connection to a set of new information she/he is learning she/he will retain and understand it better. However I also do agree that some subjects must be taught in a certain way. The arguement that history cannot be taught in a true constructivism as I see it is not compleatly true. Maybe I do not understand constructivism completely but why can’t you teach history in such a way that the learner can relate and will be guided to the right conclusions. I do believe teachers are to be facilitators and advisors. I believe a teacher should have to find a connection to the content for most if not all of the students. It may take more work however if the student does not learn from your teaching then why are you teaching. A little bit of work goes a long way in the mind of a child.
In short I do like the idea of constructivism (given my limited knowledge), however like most things too much of one thing is just that, too much. But I would lean more towards constructivism rather than the traditional style of teaching.