By Susan Biggers

TECHNOLOGY INTERVIEW

withLisa Eidson

Media Specialist, Villa Rica Middle School

Lisa Eidson, Media Specialist at Villa Rica Middle School in Temple, GA, goes beyond the norm when teaching teachers and increasing their technology comfort level. She not only trains teachers to use technology in the regular staff development class format, but she continues the training with classroom demonstrations which make the technology relevant to the teachers’ instruction.

Introducing Mrs. Lisa Eidson:

Mrs. Eidson's Qualifications Media Specialist three years.

Middle Grades Teacher, ten years.

M.Ed. In Middle Grades, West Georgia College 1998.

Media Add-on, West Georgia College 2006

Question: What does “technology integration” mean to you?

Response:

Integrating technology is the use of software or hardware to enhance curriculum standards and meet the objectives of each lesson, unit or activity.

Question: How should technology be used in education?

Response: Technology

should not drive the curriculum. The curriculum should drive the technology.

Teachers must remember that technology is only a tool to enhance or support instructional strategies.

Response:

Technology Literate means that educators are able to use learning specific tools, such as software or hardware, successfully in the classroom.

They are knowledgeable in the applications that enhance learning and are able to implement those applications with the learning objectives as the focus of the lessons.

They are able to differentiate instruction by infusing technology.

Question: What is the definition of “technology literacy”?

Response: Lack of teacher trainingLack of administrative supportLimited time for teacher planningDiscontinuation of use by teachers because of

minor problemsTechnology infrastructure problems-network

connections, wireless connections, electrical connections, cable availability

Budget constraintsBasic resistance to change by teachers

Question: What are possible obstacles when trying to integrate technology?

Response:

Planning by the school district for every aspect of technology integration from budget, to installation of hardware and software, to teacher and staff training.

Planning by school administrators for teacher training and time needed for follow-up, staff development, and promotion of collaboration among teachers, media specialist, and technology specialist.

Question: What principles should guide your approach for integrating technology?

Response:Make sure you are fully trained to use the

technology.Speak with educators that are successfully using

the technology.Find specific examples of how best to implement

the technology.

Question: What should you do if you are not convinced you can integrate technology successfully into your instruction?

• Teachers must plan how they will teach the curriculum, what areas they need to cover for content, and where they can use technology to meet learning objectives

Integrating Technology Continued

Response:Successful technology integration is when

you achieve the goal you were seeking and your students master the standard being covered. A failed attempt would be when one of these two are not accomplished.

Question: What makes the difference between successful technology integration and a failed attempt

Mrs. Eidson currently serves students and teachers as a media specialist in Carroll County. She was previously a classroom teacher and has certification in math, science, language arts, and social studies. Her previous classroom experience has helped prepare her for the task of integrating technology and has made it possible to identify with the classroom teacher’s need for support. She makes every effort to train teachers and educate students on ways to integrate technology in teaching and learning.

Special Thanks to Mrs. Eidson!