My job is to teach literacy, and technical literacy is an important part of that today,” Lawson said. “It’s not just about reading and writing anymore

Here is a great article regarding a teacher using iPods to teach literature to his students. Here is a quote from the article:

“My job is to teach literacy, and technical literacy is an important part of that today,” Lawson said. “It’s not just about reading and writing anymore.”

Click here to read the full article.

Can someone tell me again why school districts in San Antonio outlaw the use of technologies such as Kindles and Second Life?


I would love to hear from ya.

Warmest Regards,
Kai Dupué

Top Ten Technology Skills

Click here to read a great article about the latest ranking of technology skills.

Thoughts from my personal journal that are relevant to this conversation

I started this online journal back in 2005 as part of a course I was taking in the doctoral program at Pepperdine University. Today I am starting to write in it a new as I reflect on my life in the early mornings as I rise. I have become an early riser and thoughts pop into my head about my life and where I want to go. I intend to use this space to capture those thoughts and ideas and reflect upon them weekly. Today I want to capture a brief thought I had about my career in Information Technology. I have been a software programmer since 1987. In recent years, I had decided that I no longer had any passion for this field and I began to search for a new passion. That journey is another story. But recently, while writing my dissertation and studying the history and application of computing and problem solving something came to mind. Perhaps I still like problem solving and computer science--the practice of solving problems with the aid of a computer--but maybe I need a problem that has meaning for me. Something that I am passionate about solving. For years, I have solved problems for organizations that I care very little about. That thought generated another one which was. What problems do I care about? Well my dissertation is centered around the problem of "Why Are There So Few African Americans in Information Technology"? African Americans have a myriad of problems that need solving, and I have always resonated with those who have taken up this quest. Leaders such as Dr. King and Malcolm X. Can I use computing and my vast experience with technology to solve a problem that has meaning for African Americans? If I can do that then maybe I would have meaning in my work. I see the root cause for many of the problems that plague the African American community as being the way we think. I understand why many of us think the way we do and I am not interested in analyzing that here, however, can technology be used in a way to persuade, to change our way of thinking. Recently, MIchael Lang of Black Digerati introduce me to B.F. Fogg's work and his book Persuasive Technology. He suggests that technology can be used and is being used precisely to that end. I have much more to think about.

Warmest Regards,
Kai

A Nation at Risk

“The people of the United States need to know that individuals in our society who do not possess the levels of skill, literacy, and training essential to this new era will be effectively disenfranchised, not simply from the material rewards that accompany competent performance, but also from the chance to participate fully in our national life.”

The above quote is from a report that was published in 1983. The report is entitled A Nation at Risk. It was published by the National Commission on Excellence in Education. The sentiment above is why I started this blog and why my purpose in life is to do my part to make certain that communities of color do not become even more disenfranchised.

Stay Tuned,
Kai

Cursive may be a fading skill

A few months ago I had a conversation on my Blog Talk Radio Show (The Diop and Dupué Show) regarding technologies such as the iPhone and the Kindle and how they will change schooling. Dr. Diop posed the question: “Do you think in the future schools will continue to teach cursive writing?”

My answer to the question is a resounding No! Why should they? Cursive writing is simply a form of communication or writing using the tools of the day. The tools of a different era were the pen and pencil. After the pen came the typewriter and now the computer. Why would we continue to teach a skill that is based on a fading technology? Pencils and pens, just like a computer, are tools used to write.

Some argue as you can see from the article posted here, that “In the age of computers, I just tell the children, what if we are on an island and don't have electricity? One of the ways we communicate is through writing,” she said. This is not a good argument. What if we are on the same island and there are no pens? Same problem.

You should not look for the context in which your tool of choice works. What if we are on an island and there is nothing to write on. I can go on and on. The fact of the matter is tools used to write will continue to change. Why are we not still writing using clay or blood the way it was done in ancient times? The answer is we have created or invented better ways to communicate and write.

Prepare for the future, and do not be shocked when your child comes home the way the ones did in the above referenced article and informs you that he or she is not learning how to write cursive anymore.

Hotep,
Kai Dupué

Digital Nomads

Asked where her co-workers were, Moysey said: "I don't know — because it doesn't matter anymore."

I love the above line. As I continue to point out in this space, how we live our lives is changing everyday as technology continues to penetrate every facet of human activity. We need to make sure we are embracing technology and taking advantage of the benefits of using it. The article reference above can be read by visiting this link.

You no longer have to live in the same city where you conduct your work. And even if you live in the city where you work you no longer have to drive into the office. Become a digital nomad and work when and wherever you want.

Kai

Imagine Cup 2009

Here is another opportunity to enter the Microsoft sponsored ImagineCup competition. Click here for more information.