1. Technology Interview by: LaTonya Greer Diffusion of Innovations-MEDT8461

2. Diedre Dekle Instructional Support Specialist with Cobb County Public Schools. Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Education from the University of Georgia. Master of Science Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Central Michigan University. Educational Specialist Degree in Leadership from Central Michigan University.

3. How is technology affecting the learning process? Technology is making learning more engaging. It enables instruction to be differentiated. Technology addresses the different learning modalities of students.

4. What is your definition of technology literacy? Technology literacy is the ability for students and teachers to be able to use technology to solve problems efficiently and effectively.

5. What does the phrase “technology integration” mean to you? Technology integration means using whatever technology is available as an instructional tool to make learning as interactive as possible.

6. How should technology be used in education? Technology should be used in education as a way to improve life long learning. We are actually preparing our students for the future by integrating technology into the curriculum. Students will not be able to make it in this world if they are not technologically literate.

7. What principles should guide your approach for integrating technology into instruction? Technology should be used as a tool for learning. You do not have to integrate technology into every single lesson that you teach. Start out with projects that will be beneficial to your students. Technology lessons should be meaningful and it must correlate with what students are learning in class.

8. When can you expect technology to be most effective? Technology is most effective when it addresses a standard and is integrated into the curriculum. Technology is beneficial to students when it adds a level of interest. Students will pay attention when learning is fun.

9. What are some obstacles you have encountered when trying to integrate technology? Not having enough equipment available for everyone. Lack of funding to purchase additional technology. The overall maintenance of technology can be a huge issue. How does a school effectively maintain technological resources once they have been purchased?

10. Do you have a technology success story? I once worked for a principal who was not a big fan of allocating school funds to purchase technology. I got together with a group of teachers and we gave a presentation on how technology can be integrated into the school’s curriculum. The presentation helped to change the principal’s attitude about technology. She was then more inclined to use money from the budget to purchase technology.

11. Credits Images Microsoft Office Clip Art Google Images Subject Interviewed: Diedre Dekle: Cobb County Public Schools