Karen Franker is a visionary educational leader with an understanding to mentor novice computer users and technophobes. Most importantly she has an educator’s understanding of people and is able to promote effective learning in a manner that energizes and inspires.

Karen Franker teaches “Inspiration and Kidspiration: Strategies to Build Study Skills and Comprehension”, an online professional development course for K-16 educators at the University of Wisconsin-Stout School of Education. In addition, she writes the Tech Tips Online Professional Development e-newsletter and researches, evaluates, and discusses online resources focusing on current and emerging technologies.

Participants in MS. Franker’s online classes have commented:

"This class has been inspirational to me and has already caused me to change my teaching strategies. First of all, learning Inspiration has helped me change my delivery of the curriculum. I am in the process of re-writing my language arts units to make better use of Inspiration. I love the way the software helps everyone to visually make the connections with and through the text. I will definitely recommend Inspiration to other teachers. I honestly believe it can make a difference in how well kids learn. It certainly makes everything more engaging! Thank you Karen, for a really great class that has changed me for the better."

~Middle School Teacher, Oceanside, California

"I especially appreciated the care and thoughtfulness the instructor gave when responding to my work... it was highly motivating and encouraging to read her reactions and suggestions throughout the modules."

~ Music Teacher, Taiwan

"I have learned so much about Inspiration during this class. I have come to appreciate that it's is much more than a brainstorming or an outlining application. Thank you for getting me inspired; this class has been a wonderful experience."

~ Junior High Computer Teacher, Illinois

I rate Karen Franker an outstanding member of the University of Wisconsin-Stout Online Professional Development team of instructors and truly a global educator with a strong commitment to her profession.

Joan Vandervelde    
Online Professional Development Coordinator
School of Education
University of Wisconsin–Stout