ARTICLE 1 review:
Author Information: Who created the site. What information did you learn about their motives and their credentials.
US Dept of education
Weaknesses: A paragraph describing the weaknesses of the website in function or in application to the classroom.
None really – just good facts and info.
Strengths: A paragraph describing the strengths of the website in function or in application to the classroom.
One stop shop to find State and Federal info. Has good links to resources (state info, publications).
Uses: A paragraph describing the classroom uses and applications of the website. Indicate any instructional objectives which can be addressed with the use of the software tool.
It is a resource site for standards, state info, laws publications – will help keep your lesson plans and classroom in compliance and targeting the desired areas.

ARTICLE 2 review:
Author Information: Who created the site. What information did you learn about their motives and their credentials.
National Institute of Early Education Research. Their goal is to provide research based information that is not slanted. “The Institute offers independent research-based advice and technical assistance to four primary groups: policy makers, journalists, researchers, and educators.” (quote found at http://nieer.org/about/)
Weaknesses: A paragraph describing the weaknesses of the website in function or in application to the classroom.
None really
Strengths: A paragraph describing the strengths of the website in function or in application to the classroom.
It was like a news page for educators. It makes you feel like one big school. Easy to look for research in an area you are interested in. It was easy to look for state info, latest research, anything – even I could do it. I really liked this site! It was the perfect combo of current events, advertiseing for upcoming conferences, search engines for research and much much more.
Uses: A paragraph describing the classroom uses and applications of the website. Indicate any instructional objectives which can be addressed with the use of the software tool.
It is a resource site for teachers. It will really help them keep up to date and it makes you walk away with a big picture view.

ARTICLE 3 review:
Author Information: Who created the site. What information did you learn about their motives and their credentials.
National Association for the Education of Young Children. It is info for kids birth to age 8 so it has items for grades prek-2nd. Founded in 1926. It has a national network but is growing more global. Their basic goal is to do what they can to see that there is high quality education for the young kids. It was kicked off by a lady named Patty Smith Hill in the 1920’s.
Weaknesses: A paragraph describing the weaknesses of the website in function or in application to the classroom.
You need to be a member to see most things. 
Strengths: A paragraph describing the strengths of the website in function or in application to the classroom.
Great place to find conferences for teachers, buy products for the teacher and the classroom. Links to other groups,
Uses: A paragraph describing the classroom uses and applications of the website. Indicate any instructional objectives which can be addressed with the use of the software tool.
It is a place where a teacher can learn how to improve, get up to date, find new ways and methods to use in the classroom. (probably even more – but I can’t see it)

ARTICLE 4:
Author Information: Who created the site. What information did you learn about their motives and their credentials.
Live Wire media who produces and distributes educational media for character education, youth guidance, and life skills.
Weaknesses: A paragraph describing the weaknesses of the website in function or in application to the classroom.
This was limited to life skills. It is created by a company who sells life skills products. So it probably only has info from there program.
Strengths: A paragraph describing the strengths of the website in function or in application to the classroom.
This site has nice tools. I liked the Teaching guides section. It broke it down by grade level and life skill.
I know this is the soft and fuzzy stuff but I think itis important to teach to kids – especially when they are young.
It has tests, videos, discussion questions, etc. Loved that.
Uses: A paragraph describing the classroom uses and applications of the website. Indicate any instructional objectives which can be addressed with the use of the software tool.
It provides the PBS style of skills that you can buy posters, books, etc to use in your classroom. It can provide a structure to teach the skills needed to interact with people in a positive way.

Ken also talked about creativity and how we teach kids out of creativity. I agree with this. I think older teachers get sort of stuck in their ways and find one thing that works and sticks with it. As new teachers, we need to remember that no 2 kids are really alike. We have to teach to all different intelligences and teach kids to be creative, especially in an environment that is so structured like school. I think it is important for kids to have the choice to be creative. As a teacher I think you will receive better work and it gives the students more freedom so they will be happier.

I agree with his comments that we are harming our students by excluding art from the schools. As in the example of the dancer that he gave, some people think through motion, so we hurt even our reading and math classes by eliminating opportunities for those students to succeed as we require that students sit motionless all day.

I was struck by Robinson’s comments on creativity. In a past video class with 8th grade students I found myself talking with individual students and encouraging them to step out of their comfort zone. I have also found myself saying that it is important for math students to feel safe enough to risk in order to learn. I think Robinson is right on the mark to say that we need to encourage students to be creative.

We need students of today to solve problems that we do not even know exist. In order to do so they must be able to come up with creative solutions. As educators we so need to nurture creativity and imagination, not test it out of students.

I was struck by Robinson’s comments on creativity. In a past video class with 8th grade students I found myself talking with individual students and encouraging them to step out of their comfort zone. I have also found myself saying that it is important for math students to feel safe enough to risk in order to learn. I think Robinson is right on the mark to say that we need to encourage students to be creative.

We need students of today to solve problems that we do not even know exist. In order to do so they must be able to come up with creative solutions. As educators we so need to nurture creativity and imagination, not test it out of students.

I think it is exciting that there are options for the average person to setup wickis and blogs to communicate globally. I also am excited to have discoverd several sites that can assist me in designing lesson activities to empower students of the internet as a communication tool.

Along with this was the idea that kids are not afraid to take chances or of being wrong. They can therefore come up with original ideas. If being “wrong” continues to be stigmitized, then where will our original ideas come from in the future as adults go into the work force?