1. Technology Interview by Carlene Bailey With BETSY HANSEN January 21, 2009

2. Betsy Hansen

3. What is your job title? “I am the technology integrations specialist for Cobb County Schools.

4. How long have you been in technology and what is your background? I have a bachelor of arts degree from Yale in art and sculpture. About 15 years ago, I was asked to work with technology. My second grader had to help me learn. I became a certified Novell administrator, and love working with the teachers. I have a bachelor of arts degree from Yale in art and sculpture. About 15 years ago, I was asked to work with technology. My second grader had to help me learn. I became a certified Novell administrator, and love working with the teachers.

5. What schools do you work at? I work at Hightower Middle School, Pitner Elementary, East Valley Elementary and Power’s Ferry. I work at Hightower Middle School, Pitner Elementary, East Valley Elementary and Power’s Ferry.

6. What does your job entail? “I go to schools, talk to teachers and administrators about standards and help them figure out ways to achieve objectives in technology. I help them manage integration of technology properly.” “I go to schools, talk to teachers and administrators about standards and help them figure out ways to achieve objectives in technology. I help them manage integration of technology properly.”

7. What is your educational background? I have a degree from Yale in sculpture and photography, but I began working in the school systems when my children were growing up. I took classes to become a “certified Novell administrator”, and started working as a tech support specialist.

8. Tell me one of your success stories. I once worked with a media parapro who had to learn to do scrolling announcements in her school. She had never done a Power Point. By the end of my class, she was building incredibly complicated Power Points and announcements. She was very proud of herself, and she had a profound affect on the students and the outside community.

9. What things make the difference technology intergration being a success and not a failure? Permitting yourself to make mistakes Permitting yourself to make mistakes Learning along with your students Learning along with your students Knowing that technology is constantly evolving Knowing that technology is constantly evolving

10. How has technology affected the learning process? It is very exciting and engaging It is very exciting and engaging It enhances a learning environment It enhances a learning environment Students are learning something they will use in the real world. Students are learning something they will use in the real world.

11. How do you identify the key players in the technology integration process and get them to buy into your ideas? “ I do three things: “ I do three things: Look at the structure of the school Look at the structure of the school Start with the principal and work down Start with the principal and work down Work with teachers to help them become comfortable” Work with teachers to help them become comfortable”

12. What principles guide your approach to integrating technology? “ What I like to do is: “ What I like to do is: Make sure technology is working Make sure technology is working Help people understand how it works Help people understand how it works Help people become comfortable with the applications Help people become comfortable with the applications

13. What obstacles have you encountered when integrating technology?  Technology is not working (either hardware, software or network)  Time to integrate technology  Helping people understand that it is new and they have to be patient with themselves.