The #1 way to improve the academic achievement levels of students

From the Winter/Spring 2007 National Alliance of Black School Educators News Briefs:

Among the most significant trends that will increase the academic achievement levels of students is the use of technology. Technology makes learning opportunities more accessible to students at any time/any place. In particular, minority students will begin to realize their interests and learning patterns can be fulfilled with this new technology. Technology will enhance the classroom teacher, so that skill levels, learning styles, language barriers, and the place of learning will not be deterrents.

The National Alliance of Black School Educators (NABSE) is an organization devoted to furthering the academic success of the nation’s children – particularly children of African descent. This is an organization devoted to education and they agree that for Black people to move forward (i.e., become better educated) we must embrace technology.

I agree with their premise obviously. Let’s go one step beyond. Why not take this approach with our children in our home life? Must we wait for the school system to embrace using technology with our children? My daughter is 4 years old.

Since she has been watching me work on the computer since she was born, she is already aware of the keyboard, mouse and monitor. She had a toy computer, which she uses to practice the motor skills needed in order to use it.

I decided that once my son is a littler older I will purchase iPads for both of them. We know that learning technology is important. We have studies that illustrate that academic achievement levels increase in most cases where technology is integrated into learning.

Why are we still not doing this? We can no longer claim we don't know. The information is there. Some school leaders are handcuffed by their districts and restricted from introducing many technologies on their campus.

What is the reason? We must examine these matters and challenge these decisions. Unfortunately some leaders still do not feel that technology is important to learning or that it does not improve learning. They are wrong.

Please take it upon yourself to either introduce technology use into your home in order to familiarize your children with the possibilities or speak to the instructional leaders in your schools to determine their stance on technology integration in the classroom.

This is no longer a luxury it is a requirement if we wish our children to grow up and lead strong successful lives.

How to build your information technology network in one weekend

Have you ever heard of The Black Data Processing Associates (BDPA)? BDPA has been around since 1975. The organization came into being when Earl Pace and David Wimberly met in Philadelphia to discuss their concerns about people of color in the computing industry. People of color were under represented in the field and an overall lack of career mobility existed for those who were in the field.

I first learned of BDPA in 2008. As someone who has been a computer scientist for over 20 years at that time, it is unacceptable to me that it took me so long to learn of its existences. I am not sure what took me so long to learn of this wonderful organization, but part of my mission going forward is to make sure people of color who are interested in technology (which should be all people of color), are aware of the opportunities that BDPA provides.
The lack of blacks and other people of color continue to be a problem. Many including myself are still studying this problem in 2010. One of the factors that have come to the fore is the social conditioning of people of color when it comes to computing.

It is social conditioning that plays a role when we see blacks over represented in entertainment and athletics and it is social conditioning when there is an under representation of blacks in computing. The best treatment of this topic that I have found thus far is Stuck in the Shallow End by Jane Margolis.
I have attended many conferences on technology and education. This was by far the best technology conference I have ever attended. I have never attended an event where there were so many black women and men who were technology professionals. There were thousands. The conference provides an opportunity for learning in a environment that is culturally relevant.

The conference is also a place where the youth are encouraged and exposed to technology. Every year the youth participate in the High School Computer Competition. (HSCC). During the conference, each chapter that entered the competition presents their project which could be anything from developing a piece of desktop software, a website, or perhaps an iPhone app. The winner is crowned as part of the conference.

My observation is that the conference is strictly business during the day and a lot of fun and mingling in the evening. This year the conference is being held in Philadelphia July 28 – July 31. If you are interested in a career in information technology or you are a technology professional who wants to learn what is hot in terms of technology or you simply want to connect with other black professionals in information technology you should make it a point to be in Philadelphia this year.

I know I will be there.  For more information about BDPA please visit their site at http://www.bdpa.org/









Hotep Kai

How to purchase an inexpensive computer that you can take anywhere

Although I was keenly aware that Apple was releasing their new iPhone today (iPhone 4), I completely slipped my mind as I headed over to the mall to pick up some new workout gear. But I was soon reminded as I bumped into a long line that extended from the Apple store all the way back to where I was entering the mall at the food court.

Now I am no stranger to witnessing a long line to get your hands on the latest life changing technology from Apple, as I stood in quite a line to purchase my iPhone 3GS. But this line was longer than those I stood in to purchase any of my previous iPhones. People were obviously prepared to wait a long time.

Some had chairs. Some had their laptops, complete with a portable charging device. Of course some had iPads. Thank goodness Apple decided to only release the phone in black or I would have been in that line myself.

I had black the first 2 times around. I am only rocking the white these days. As I followed down the line headed to Dillards, I noticed that I had not seen any black people in the line. I thought to myself. Where are the brothers and sisters? Do black people know that the iPhone is being released today? Do black people care? Should they care?

So I decided to do an informal poll. I walked the entire line. I was about half way through before I noticed the first brother. I was almost at the end of the line when I finally noticed a second brother. I am only guessing but I would say there were at least 250 people in that line but I counted only 4 black people.
When I mentioned this observation to my wife she quipped, “Well there are not that many black people in Austin so you should not be surprised.” Is that right? I do not remember seeing a shortage of black people when the Texas Relays were in town. Sure there were plenty of visitor for the relays but I would venture to guess some of those folks were Austinites.

Also, seems to be plenty black folks around during the football season when Texas has a home game. Maybe I am just being too sensitive. I hate it when I get the feeling that black folks are being left out of something significant. Mobile computing devices, particularly the iPhone is definitely that.

Do not think of the iPhone as simply a cell phone. It is a mobile computing device and it is a great way for us to get our hands on a relatively inexpensive computing device. And according to most it, is the best one available.

I think its time we got in line.

Kai

How to make your customers wait and like it

I have been getting my haircut at Black barbershops for a very long. Since my son received his first haircut at the tender age of two (almost 7 months ago), and since I just celebrated my 46th birthday, I can say that I have been frequently the black barbershop for approximately 44 years.

Would you believe that I have just recently had my first experience with a barbershop that provides free wi-fi. I know that this technology has not been around for 44 years, but it has been around for quite some time. What gives?

Are black barbers not paying attention? Have they not noticed it is good business practice to provide free wi-fi where your customers gather? Have they not noticed this trend at McDonalds, Starbucks and Barnes and Noble? The issue with going to most black barbers is the wait? Am I wrong here?

Most of them are still having us put our names on list. Now this is a primitive practice as well, but that is a topic for another article. Obviously, technology provides much better ways for accomplishing that task.  But lets stay with the issue of waiting. Most people hate waiting.

We hate waiting to buy tickets to a movie. We hate waiting in line to get our Grande White Chocolate Moccha, and we hate waiting to receive our haircut. Many businesses practice what is known as line management or wait management.

This is the practice of taking your customer’s mind off of the fact that you are making them wait to give you money. This is why when you are pumping your gas now at some stations you can watch television while you are pumping. It is part of the reason why when you are waiting for a movie to start that you can play games, guess answers to trivia questions, and listen to the latest single by Trey Songz.

I experienced a wonderful local example of wait management recently at the popular Houston eatery The Breakfast Klub. I can remember dreading when my friends visited from out of town and they wanted to visit the local breakfast spot. Why? I dreaded the visit because the wait to enter and order was brutal.

It was not only a long wait, but it was outside. During the summer it would be very hot and it was of course cold during the winter. Neither scenario is ideal for waiting. A few weeks ago my wife and I met friends there for breakfast. There was still a wait, but the owners have made the wait much less painful.

They now have water for customers as well as a canopy to protect you from the heat. Additionally, they have a very lively and entertaining greeter who keeps the customers engaged and the orders are taken while you are in line. Brilliant. I love it when a business rewards my patronage by providing me with better service. Barbers are you listening?

One of the most widely used tools for conducting wait management is free wi-fi access. Think about it. If you provide your customers with access to the Internet you do not have to worry about entertaining them while they wait to be served. They can entertain themselves by surfing the web, playing games, catching on email, or reading a book.

The options are virtually infinite. I have had wi-fi in my home since the technology’s inception. All you need to install a wi-fi hotspot if you already have an Internet connection is a wireless router. You can buy a wireless router for about 50 bucks. Time is money. Customers do not like it when you waste their time or make them wait. I know I don’t. black barbershops I appeal to thee.  Provide your clients with free wi-fi.

In all honesty, this is not just an issue with black barbershops, any business where your customers wait or gather should consider using this strategy.  I have much love for my black barbershops.  I simply want to share with them a technology tool that can make their businessess better.

All the best,

Kai

How a career technologist became at TV Host on the Oprah Winfrey Network

Well, not yet.  Last weekend my friend Curtis Wayne and I drove to Dallas to audition for a show on Oprah’s new network (OWN). If you have not heard yet, Oprah is starting her own network in January 2011. Is there anything this sister can’t do? As part of the launch, Oprah is looking for show ideas. You can read all about the contest and the rules here.

I spent 2 days in Dallas for a chance at having my own TV show. I don’t particularly care about having my own show, what is most important to me is having a medium to get my message across to young black men. That is something I hope I am doing writing in this space as well.

I pitched a show called “How to be A Strong Black Man”. I spent 2 days for 30 seconds to pitch my show idea. I guess that is show business. I was hoping for call back. I did not receive one. You can also audition online. I am going that route now. Here is the link to my show. If you like the idea please vote and tell others to vote. Here is the description of the show as seen on Oprah’s site:

Black men represent a huge untapped resource for this country. As America faces many unprecedented challenges, we need all hands on deck. “How to be a Strong Black Man” is a show dedicated to the personal development of black men. Why black men? Black men are in state of emergency. 40% of all of black males are illiterate. 84% of all crack cocaine convictions are black males. This program will SHOW these young men a way out. The show will share stories of other black men who have overcome the obstacles that most black men face and how they did it. We know that change is not simply about talking or telling them how to solve their problems; it is about showing them. Knowledge rarely leads to change. People need to be shown something that makes them feel, and that feeling is what inspires them to change their lives for the better.

The idea for the show is to have successful black men come on the show and share their stories and experiences of how they went from a position of weakness to one of strength. There are many examples of black men who have risen from tough times and from difficult circumstances to achieve greatness. We owe it to the next generation to hold these men up as exemplars that can connect with our youth and inspire them to excellence.

I decided to write this article not to promote my idea, although I don’t mind doing that. I decided to write this article to point out how I can continue to pursue my idea using technology that is available. I have already been doing this, but this experience prompted me to share tools I use so that others can use to get their positive message to those they wish to serve.

If you want to do a radio talk show you can setup an account for free at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/. I have been using this site for a couple of years now to conduct interviews and discuss topics that are important to black males. The challenge is building up your audience and promoting your show. That is one of the reasons I was pursuing The Oprah Effect.

She can deliver a built in audience. Another tool that is equally as powerful and free is YouTube. I am sure many more of you have heard of YouTube when compared to BlogTalkRadio, but did you know that you could setup your own channel on YouTube.

You can setup your own channel and have viewers follow you just like traditional TV. Of course, it is much better because no current TV channel is worldwide. If you are interested in setting up a YouTube channel you can do that at http://www.youtube.com/.

The only thing you have to do then is produce content with a video camera. Most digital cameras these days can shoot video and if not there is always the Flip Video pocket video camera. You shoot the video message and upload to YouTube. If you get a million subscribers to your channel that visits regularly, guess what you have a show.

It is not live, but most TV shows are not live. You have a way to broadcast a video message across the Internet for the entire world to see. Now that is power and it is absolutely free.  So, really I guess I don’t need Oprah. But if she does call, I will most certainly answer the phone.

Hotep,
Brother Kai

Pitching a Show to Oprah

If you haven't seen it yet, Oprah Winfrey is accepting pitches of shows for her new OWN network, launching in January. I pitched mine last week at the in-person audition here in Dallas. But you can also submit a video.

Here's a link to my video pitch, called "How to be A Strong Black Man." If you like it, please vote for it. You can vote as often as you like, no registration required please vote 300-400 times a day, if you can!! ;-)

Enjoy, y'all! And vote, please! I'm trying to get 10,000 votes before the contest closes on July 3rd. Thanks!!

Thanks, and here's the URL:

http://www.voteforkaidupe.com

Don't Make The Mistake of Not Owning Your Own Domain Name

I have owned my domain name since 2000. A domain name is the name that comes after that @ in a person’s email address. For example, my email address is Kai.Dupe@kaidupe.com. The domain name is kaidupe.com. Other examples are Amazon.com, YouTube.com, Honda.com and AframNews.com. Here is the official definition from the web:  A domain name is an identification label that defines a realm of administrative autonomy, authority, or control on the Internet, based on the Domain Name System (DNS).

Since I own the domain I can receive emails no matter what the email address as long as you use my domain name. You can send an email to me kai.dupe@kaidupe.com or you can send it to me at myfriendkai@kaidupe.com and I will still receive the email because I own the domain name.

My daughter Kisa is 4 and my son JohnKai is 2. They both have their own domain names. Kisa has KisaDupe.com and Johnkai has JohnKaiDupe.com. For a while, I had both of their domain names pointing to blogs where I journal daily about my feelings about being their father.

I have since made them inactive but I still own the domain names. I am encouraging both of my children to become entrepreneurs so when they are ready to their domain names will be waiting for them.
I think everyone should do the same. In the digital society having your own domain name is part of how you interact in society.

It is better for keeping in touch with folks because it does not have to change simply because you have moved or changed phone companies. I decided to purchase my domain name when I decided to start my own business.

In fact, I own several domain names. I also own the following domain names WhereAreBlacksInTechnology.com, DiopAndDupeShow.com, and DrKaiDupe.com.

In my opinion everyone should at the very least own their own domain name. I would also purchase the domain names of my children. You never know if your child becomes the next Michael Jordan , Serena Williams, or Mark Dean.

Mark Dean is a pioneer in the personal computing industry and is someone all children of color should be aware of, particularly if they are interested in careers in computing. For more of Dean and others, you can purchase a copy of the book The Black Digital Elite by John T. Barber.

If that were to happen and you did not own the domain name it could be very expensive to obtain it if someone else has already purchased it. Ask Tavis Smiley about that one. His presence on the web is at TavisTalks.com because someone else owns TavisSmiley.com and wants a ridiculous amount of money to sell it to Mr. Smiley.

Purchasing a domain name is not very expensive. You can purchase a domain name from GoDaddy.com for $10.18 and you own it for one year. It is a simple process.  You simply go to GoDaddy.com.  Type in the name you want for your domain to see if it is available.  If it is, the site will prompt you for payment information and from that momen you own the domain name. 

You will have to manage the domain name in order to have it present a certain website when thedomain is requested.  But that is for another post. The point here is that domain names are inexpensive and easy to obtain.

I think I everyone can afford that. It can valuable to you in business as well as important to give yourself a presence on the web. At the very least you should own the domain name for yourself and your children.

Kai Dupé

New technology that allows sharing your contact information even when you have forgotten your business cards

Today I discovered this cool technology called QR Codes.  Maybe I am late on this one but I love the idea of having an image that contains my contact information. 

Just last night while I was retreiveing my wife's car from the Toyota dealership I found myself in a very interesting conversation with a young service advisor regarding wealth building in the African American community.

He told me about a wonderful children's book entitled "When I Grow Up I'm Going to Be a Millionaire".  I immediately pulled out my iPhone and ordered a copy for my children.  That is how I do it.  I learn about something that can help me to improve my life and then I act on it.

I shared with him many of the many books that I have read on creating wealth.  I love it when young people are eager to learn.  At the end of our conversation he asked me for a business card so he could contact me.  I ALWAYS carry my business card in my car.

The only problem was that I was in my wife's car!  The next time I am asked that question I will just show the person my nifty QR Code on my phone with all of my contact information embedded.  How cool is that?

Kai

Use Technology to Teach Our Youth

Below is my response to a brother on LinkedIn.com. He is one of the people we are fortunate enough to have in the information technology industry who is also willing to share his knowledge and experience with our youth to prepare them for the information society. This is very encouraging and I am happy to share my thoughts and ideas with him. He was writing with regard to not having a facility to be able to teach at once 10-20 students. And he was going down the road to trying to raise money to attempt to build a facility. I do not think that is the correct path. It is not a bad path. But it is not a 21st century path. Even schools, at all levels, are moving away from doing the instruction in a brick-and-mortar facility. Here is my response and what I think we need to do to move forward to teach technology skills to our youth.

I understand what you are saying. I was only suggesting the use of technologies in lieu of waiting for the building of a facility in the short term. Those who have access to the Internet could be exposed via online technologies. That is better than not helping any until a facility is built.  At this point, we need to move beyond the notion that these students do not have access.

They need to get access. Period. The time has come that lack of access can no longer be a reason. Access must be the baseline. Outside of one’s health, access to technology needs to be the very next priority. I intentionally put that on harsh not because I feel that strongly about it. It is no longer a luxury and I feel we need to stop thinking of it in those terms.

Do the youth to whom you refer not have the means to have computers in their homes? Do they not have access to computers in their schools? Libraries?  The problem of the digital divide, at this point, has less to do with access to technologies and more to do with mindset. One of the best books on that subject is Technology and Social Inclusion by Mark Warschauer.

I believe that people who possess the proper mindset as it relates to computing and technology will have computers in their homes. It will become a priority. I feel this is the real issue.  That is where I devote my efforts. I work on changing the mindset and once that is accomplished those that are inspired will find ways to obtain access and to learn.

I do not think what you wish to do with the 10-20 students into a facility is a bad idea. However, please realize you will have some of the same challenges you mentioned with the online environment. Not all students do well in the classroom, the same way some are not comfortable with Second Life and online teaching methods.
The point I wanted to make is that technology offers us a way to move forward with our efforts without having to wait on building a facility. If you raise money to build a facility you could probably get more bang for the buck by using the money to get the students online access and teaching them 10-20 of them using an online tool such as webinars. In this scenario, you can help the same number of students, for less money, and the students could then use the computers and access for other productive endeavors in their lives.

Respectfully,
Kai Dupé

The Power of Facebook

Recently I have received “Friend Requests” on Facebook from many of my high school classmates. My high school class graduated approximately 600 students in 1982. In the last few months, I have received at least 200 friend requests. Only 2 out of 600 of those requests came from my black classmates.

Why is that? Now to be sure, the percentage of black students in my high school class was not very high but there were certainly more than 2. I am sure we had at least 100 black students. Do they not care to connect with their classmates or is this yet another example of black folks not participating in the information society?

If it is the latter, we should be concerned as renowned mathematics educator Robert Moses asserted in 2002, “that the knowledge gap in math, science, and technology could turn students of color into the designated serfs of the information age".

I have been using Facebook since 2005. I do not mention this to brag, but only to point out that Facebook is not new. Are they still brothers and sisters--young and old--, who are not aware of Facebook? Who are not aware what it is and how it can be used? Who do not understand why it is important?

According to Wikipedia, “Facebook is a social networking website launched in February 2004 and operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc. Users can add people as friends and send them messages, and update their personal profiles to notify friends about themselves. Additionally, users can join networks organized by workplace, school, or college. The website's name stems from the colloquial name of books given to students at the start of the academic year by university administrations in the US with the intention of helping students to get to know each other better. Anyone over the age of 13 can become a Facebook user” (Wikipedia, 2010).

Based on the description given above here are a few organizations in the black community that need to research and understand how they can use the power of social networking in general and Facebook in particular to be more effective.

· Barber Shops

· Beauty Salons

· Churches

· Day Care

· Newspapers

· Magazines

Social media is about connecting with folks. Do you think Barber shops and Newspapers need to connect with folks? There is a reason companies like Honda, Dell, and Microsoft are on Facebook. Take a closer look at the next commercial you view and notice whether or not you see a reference to that company’s Facebook reference. If it is effective for Honda can it be effective for your church or business.

Do you remember after the election of President Obama how often it was mentioned how successful his campaign was at utilizing social media? By using Facebook and other social media President Obama changed the game in terms of how future Presidents go about being elected.

For more information about social networking and how you can use it check out this book by Eric Hamilton “Social Media Branding in the age of Obama”. You can get a copy from Amazon.com. If you have further questions about this article I can be reach via email at kai.dupe@kaidupe.com.

Hotep,
Kai