THE INTERVIEW!

Interviewee: Dr. Jan Franks

Principal

Arnall Middle School

Newnan, GA

Interviewer: Nancy Mortensen

June 9, 2011

INTRODUCING DR. JAN FRANKS Beginning her 25th year in education!

B.A. Early Childhood Education - Mercer University 1987

Masters degree in Early Childhood Education and Education Leadership - University of West Georgia 1998

Education Specialist Degree – Argosy University 2005

Doctorate Degree – Argosy University 2007

Elementary school teacher 1987-2001

Assistant Principal at Northgate High School 2001-2008

Principal Arnall Middle School 2008-present

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HOW IS TECHNOLOGY AFFECTING THE LEARNING PROCESS? TECHNOLOGY IS “THE WAY OF THE WORLD” IN TODAY’S EDUCATION. THE STUDENTS TODAY ARE BECOMING TECHNOLOGY SAVVY SO WE NEED TO KEEP UP WITH THEM TO

ENSURE THEY STAY ENGAGED IN THEIR CLASS WORK.

WHAT IS TECHNOLOGICAL LITERACY?TECHNOLOGICAL LITERACY, FOR THE STUDENTS, IS FOR THEM TO BE ABLE TO USE THE TECHNOLOGY WITH A PURPOSE. THEY NEED TO KNOW WHICH

TYPE OF TECHNOLOGY TO USE TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM.

WHAT DOES TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATION MEAN TO YOU?SEAMLESS. IT NEEDS TO GET INTO THE HANDS OF THE KIDS AND THEY NEED TO BE ABLE TO USE IT AS A VIABLE RESOURCE, RIGHT AWAY. ALSO, YOU MUST HAVE THE INFRASTRUCTURE TO SUPPORT THE TECHNOLOGY. A LOT OF THE EQUIPMENT THAT WE CURRENTLY

HAVE IS ANTIQUATED.

HOW SHOULD TECHNOLOGY BE USED IN EDUCATION?IT SHOULD BE USED FOR THE PURPOSE OF INSTRUCTION AND FOR AN

OPPORTUNITY TO VALUE IT. HAVING TECHNOLOGY (PHONES, IPADS ETC) AND HAVING THEM BEING USED FOR THE RIGHT REASON. NOT TEXTING ANSWERS,

BUT PERHAPS USING A PHONE APP TO HELP WITH A LAB.

HOW DO YOU IDENTIFY THE KEY PLAYERS IN THE TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATION PROCESS AND GET THEM TO “BUY INTO” WHAT YOU ARE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH?

BUY IN IS NOT AN ISSUE; MOST TEACHERS WANT THE TECHNOLOGY IN THEIR CLASSROOM. CHOOSING THE TEACHERS WHO ARE ON THE CUTTING EDGE IS MORE ESSENTIAL. CHOOSING THOSE WHO WANT TO FIND NEW WAYS TO USE THE TECHNOLOGY. FOR INSTANCE, NOT USING A POWERPOINT AS A PRESENTATION,

BUT ENGAGING THE STUDENTS INTO THE LESSON AND ALLOWING THEM TO USE THE TECHNOLOGY.

WHAT PRINCIPLES SHOULD GUIDE YOUR APPROACH FOR INTEGRATING TECHNOLOGY INTO

INSTRUCTION?WHAT IS THE PURPOSE? WHAT IS THE OUTCOME? STARTING WITH THE END IN MIND. AGAIN, ENSURING THE STUDENT IS ENGAGED AND USING THE TECHNOLOGY WITH THE CORRECT PURPOSE. TECHNOLOGY SHOULD ALSO, NOT BE OVERUSED, THERE SHOULD

BE A BALANCE OF TECHNOLOGY AND OTHER MEDIA.

WHAT ARE SOME OBSTACLES YOU HAVE ENCOUNTERED WHEN TRYING TO INTEGRATE TECHNOLOGY?

INFRASTRUCTURE!! HAVING THE PEOPLE AVAILABLE TO PUT IT UP IN A TIMELY FASHION. UNDERSTANDING FIRE CODE TO BE SURE WE ARE “LEGAL”.

FINDING OUT THAT WE NEED DIFFERENT WIRES, SPLITTERS AND OTHER MATERIALS TO GET THEM INTO THE CLASS

WHAT MAKES THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SUCCESSFUL TECHNOLOGY

INTEGRATION AND A FAILED ATTEMPT?A SUCCESSFUL INTEGRATION IS WHEN A TEACHER USES THE TECHNOLOGY IN A WAY THAT IT WILL CREATE A BUZZ. A FAILURE INCLUDES THOSE TEACHERS

WHO USE IT IN A ONE DIMENSIONAL WAY; AGAIN AS IN A POWERPOINT.

DO YOU HAVE A TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATION SUCCESS STORY?THERE ARE SEVERAL SUCCESS STORIES! ONE IN PARTICULAR WAS USING THE CPS FOR

A BENCHMARK TEST. THE STUDENTS WERE ABLE TO WORK AT THEIR OWN PACE TO INPUT AN ANSWER AND THE TEACHERS HAD IMMEDIATE FEEDBACK FOR REMEDIATION.

DO I DESERVE AN A?

YOU DEFINITELY DESERVE AN A!

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING THIS INTERVIEW!

I APPRECIATE YOUR COMMENTS! NANCY