The Social Network

Mark Zuckerburg started Facebook using a laptop computer and a connection to the Internet.  Mark Zuckerburg started Facebook using a laptop computer and a connection to the Internet

Mark Zuckerburg started Facebook using a laptop computer and a connection to the Internet.  Mark Zuckerburg started Facebook using a laptop computer and a connection to the Internet.

Mark Zuckerbrug is the world's youngest BILLIONAIRE!  Mark Zuckerbrug is the world's youngest BILLIONAIRE!  Mark Zuckerbrug is the world's youngest BILLIONAIRE!  Mark Zuckerbrug is the world's youngest BILLIONAIRE!

Mark Zuckerbrug is the world's youngest BILLIONAIRE!  Mark Zuckerbrug is the world's youngest BILLIONAIRE!  Mark Zuckerbrug is the world's youngest BILLIONAIRE!  Mark Zuckerbrug is the world's youngest BILLIONAIRE!

Any questions?

What Are Your Family Technology Goals?

Does your family have a technology plan? Next month is National Black Family Technology Awareness Week (February 13 – February 19). In light of that, I began wondering how many black families actually have a household technology plan. Many of us have plans for everything in our household. Why not a technology plan?

We have budgets, which is nothing more than a plan for your money. We have health plans. Some of us spend a great deal of money monthly for expensive gym memberships in attempt to stay in shape and lead a healthier lifestyle. But how many of us have a technology plan?

Most businesses and some schools have a technology plan. This is something you should know about the school your child attends. It is not a good idea to assume there is a plan and that the plan is adequate. It is time we take some responsibility in terms of engaging and nurturing our children to pursue technology.

Especially in light of the results of a recent study of female and minority chemists and chemical engineers the nation’s K-12 education get an average grade of ‘D’ for the job it does engaging and nurturing minorities to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

This would be a great time to also setup your technology plan for the year. The first thing that must be done before you can setup a plan (which is defined as activity you will engage in to reach your goal), is to determine your goals. So, a better question here might be. What are your family’s technology goals?

I would like to hear your ideas. If you have a plan you have been using please send me a copy and I can share it with the community.
Hotep,
Kai

We Can't Afford to Focus on The Basics

I was having a discussion via Facebook recently regarding technology integration in our schools.  Many people still wish to hold on to this idea that our schools should not focus on technology and just focus on the basics.  They are mistaken.  These attitudes are why the digital divide still persists.  I am so tired of hearing this silly argument. 

This mindset must be changed. And to be honest I spend a great deal of time trying to change this mindset. I do not want the next generation of our young people to be the designated serfs of the information age.  What exactly are the BASICS?  Most folks would define the basics as reading, writing and arithmetic. 

So, the idea is that we should not teach our young people about technology but focus on the basic subjects.  Here is the problem with that.  Do you think those subjects are taught without using technology?  What exactly do these folks think a chalkboard, a pen, a book, a pencil or an overhead projector is.  These things are technology.

What do you consider the basics? What do you consider technology? There is no such line between learning the basics and using technology. This is why I used the word INTEGRATION. It should all be one and the same the way it was when we learned in school. We did not learn 'the basics' sans technology.

Technology was all around us and we learned the basics. Technology is now part of the basics. Those who are unable to navigate technology will be locked out the same way that years ago those who could not read or write were locked out. Remember we did not learn our basics without technology. A book is technology.

No one said learn how to read, and you can use the technology (book) after you learn to read. No.  You learned to read from a book.  And now you may learn to read an ebook or a electronic book using an ereader.  Please tell me what is the difference?

Take a look at the comments from a PhD student in Carnegie Mellon's Computer science department regarding the teaching of computer science in our schools.  These comments are from a recent study:

The point is not that every student needs to become a computer scientist, but that all students have the basic knowledge they need to understand an increasingly technological world, said Leigh Ann Sudol, a PhD student in Carnegie Mellon's Computer Science Department and another study co-author.

Technology is a new basic. 

It's All Greek to Me

While discussing the importance of embracing STEM fields with folks in our communities, I frequently hear the comment "I am just not technical".

It is interesting to me that we have somehow reserved the term 'technical' for computers and technology.  This term is not reserved for technology professionals.  Everyone is technical at some vocation or occupation.

Everyone is technical at what they do for a living or what area of endeavor they possess knowledge.  When it comes to technology and computers I am very technical.

When it comes to automotive repair or sculpting for example, I am not very technical.  I bring this up for 2 reasons.  The first reason is because I would like for us to recognize that we are technical at something, and any area that we are not it is simply a matter of learning, not some inherent inability to deal with computers or the Internet.

The other reason is that there is much more at stake in today's digital society by not being technical when it comes to technology as opposed to not being technical in the area of sculpting or automotive repairs, as these areas have not permeated every facet of our lives.  Having a lack of technical knowledge in those areas does not affect your ability to navigate society or earn a good income in the 21st century.

Anytime you are learning something new you have to come to grips with a new vocabulary.  This is true of all professions.  Doctors  have their own language.  Lawyers have their own language.  Educators have their own language.  Professionals of all walks of like have a language that they use to communicate with each when they are communicating with others in their profession.

If you are outside of the community you would not have an understanding of what any of these terms mean.  But not knowing what the terms mean does not mean you don't understand the concepts that are being discussed.  You simply need to learn to decode or translate the language.

I decided to write this post based on my appearance on Bill Anderson's Wake Up With Bill show last week.  During the interview, a caller referenced a few 'technical' terms and Mr. Anderson remarked that he had no idea what we were discussing.  That got me to thinking.  What he really meant was that he was not familiar with the terms being used.

Here is the point I wish to make.  This is not unique to a conversation of computers.  We could have been talking about automotive repair or any other profession in which he was not familiar with the jargon and he would have the same issue.  As would I or anyone.

There is nothing magical about technology terms.  The concepts are based on science and math.  The same science and math that you learned in high school.  And certainly once you get past some the acronyms and abbreviations that are used in the industry it is easy to see that there is nothing magical about the terminology used by computer professionals.

We need not let these terms intimidate us.  Once you look up a few terms that are frequently used it is easy to realize that what is being discussed is not all that complicated at all.  Particularly when one realizes that most of these terms of simply made up out of thin air or they are simply abbreviations.

If you have teen-aged children, you are probably aware of the term 'bff'.  Almost every knows that bff is an abbreviation for best friend for life.  Nothing intimidating or complicated about that.  But how many are intimidated for example by the term 'ISP'?  ISP is simply an acronym for Internet Service Provider.

If you were having problems with your computer at home and a support person asked you who was your ISP you might me confused and intimidated, but If they simply asked who supplies you with your Internet connection you could easily reply Comcast or Time Warner.  Most of the jargon surrounding technology is just that simple.

Don't be intimidated by these terms and don't proclaim that you are not technical.  Chances are you are very technical at something.  Please just recognize that technology is something new that has become crucial to learn.

You simply need to get started on that learning.

cwyl (Chat With You Later)
Kai

Youngest African American Male Bio-Engineer

Cortlan James Wickliff, at nineteen (19) years old, was the youngest African-American male to attain a bioengineering degree from Rice University in Houston, Texas. Cortlan is now attending Harvard Law School to complete a JD in Intellectual Property and Patent Law. He also plans to complete a PhD in Biomedical Engineering.

From an early age he has displayed a profound and unusual sense of the world in which he lives and the role that he has been called to play as a student, leader and community activist, regularly seeking to give back and encourage his peers to likewise pursue stretch goals. A few weeks after his 15th birthday, Cortlan left home to began his college experience at the University of North Texas.

His early departure from high school was featured on Fox news and captured in print media in the Austin, Texas area. Two years after entering the University of North Texas, Cortlan completed the Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science and transferred to Rice University in Houston, Texas to complete a bachelor’s degree in Bio (medical) Engineering.

Often recognized during his collegiate career as a President’s List and Dean’s List student, he received his bachelor’s degree in Bioengineering on May 15, 2010.  While attending Rice, Cortlan gained significant research experience in the biomedical and bio-fuels areas. His research exploration efforts have included an Apparatus for Testing Hearing in Severely Premature Infants, Bio-fuel Catalysts and Enhanced Electronics for Cardiology Prototype Devices for which his presentation won his team a Commercialization Award.

His goal is to make significant contributions to enhancing medical equipment, medical treatments and the FDA processes for approving medicines and their delivery methodologies.  Cortlan also has a passion for serving others especially within his peer group. He often reflects on the benefits gained from early exposure to professionals, their careers, and his travels.

Cortlan is convinced that if his peers are likewise exposed to more, they will elect to achieve more and perform at a higher level. Recognized nationally as an outstanding young leader, Cortlan appeared on the Tavis Smiley television show in December 2009 which was recorded in Los Angeles, California. He was also featured on the Houston based show Cross Roads hosted by Melanie Lawson and on NBC News interviewed by lead reporter Courtney Zavala.

Additionally, he has started his foundation, hosted several educational outreach forums, and served as a mentor and tutor for many middle schools through college aged students. He stands firm in his belief that he can make a positive impact on our global community and encourages others to do the same.  Cortlan was born in Austin, Texas though his family is from a small town east of Houston – Liberty, Texas.

His mother, Tanya Dugat-Wickliff, a young teen mother who worked hard to defy the odds and achieve a PhD in engineering, served as a great inspiration for his career choices. His entrepreneurial spirit was birth while growing up shadowing his father in his automotive business, Anthony “Tony” Wickliff (deceased). Cortlan enjoys his side passion as a movie critic and spending quality time with his family and friends, especially his two brothers, Jamar and Raymond.

Discussing the Digital Divide with WURD's Bill Anderson

I'm live on the radio @9am EST with Bill Anderson on Wednesday. This is part of his TechWeek 2011. Go to http://www.wakeupwithbill.com/ to listen, or Radiotime  http://bit.ly/e1kFzD

I will be discussing the digital divide.

Improving Student Learning With Technology Tools

One of my dearest friends is a career educator and principal in an elementary school in Texas. As the principal and the instructional leader of his campus, he is a staunch advocate for integrating technology into the curriculum.

I applaud him for that. He is definitely fighting an uphill battle in terms of motivating his teachers to embrace the technology tools. He is constantly lamenting how difficult it has been to motivate his staff to use the wealth of technology at his school.

Technology should be part of our children’s learning environment the same way it is part of their lives outside of the school walls. Why should they step back in time when they are going to the place where learning about the world is supposed to take place? No extra effort is used to integrate technology into their lives for them in the real world. Technology is PART of the real-world and it needs to be a component of their education.

Everywhere children are in the real world technology is right there with them. I understand that some are concerned with technology overload, and I agree, we must have balance. We do not want to sacrifice physical fitness and face-to-face interaction, but at the same time, we do not wish to cripple our children by not exposing them to technology that foster and expedite learning.

Albert Einstein said: I never teach my pupils; I only attempt to provide the conditions in which they can learn. What better way to provide the conditions for learning than with technology? My friend understands this. Technology allows for students to learn at their own pace, not the pace of the majority of the students, or the pace at which the teacher prefers, but their own pace.

Most in education would agree that the best teachers are those who had to go through teaching in the field before they actually faced a real classroom. My principal friend agrees. He prefers teachers who have spent their time in the classroom as a student-teachers before trying their hand in the classroom setting.

These days student-teaching is happening less and less and alternative certification (a process that bypasses student teaching), is more prevalent. With the advent of technology, introduced as part of the TeachMe initiative at the University of Central Florida, a new tool has recently been introduced that uses software to simulate student teaching.

Here is an excerpt from a recent article on Education Week regarding the TeachMe tool: Real-time classroom simulations like TeachME, supporters say, and offer promise for a host of teacher-training applications. Through them, candidates could gain hands-on practice with urban students, or practice a discrete skill such as classroom management. Most of all, such simulations give teachers in training the ability to experiment—and make mistakes—without the worry of doing harm to an actual child’s learning.

We need our teachers to embrace the wisdom of the quote provided above by Einstein and provide the conditions in which our children can learn. Understand that they do not have to do it all. Use the tools that are at their disposal. The same way that they used the technology of years gone by such as overhead projectors, they need to recapture that same enthusiasm and master and utilize the SmartBoards of today. Our children are counting on it!

Registration now open for the Microsoft bliink Web Design Competition

* Register for online training and virtual labs

* Download classroom-tested learning resources

* Order free Expression Studio software for your school

Students will:

* Dream big about how technology can make the world a better place

* Learn more about the power of technology to solve real-world problems

* Receive Microsoft Expression® Studio professional software at no cost

* Create a website to communicate their learning and creativity

* Be excited about the opportunity for local and national recognition

* Work hard to earn prizes that include Xbox 360 and Kinect

Teachers will:

* Engage students with big ideas and meaningful problem-solving activities

* Receive Expression Studio professional Web design software for their school at no cost

* Appreciate the free teacher-created and class-room tested curriculum resources

* Value the abundant support and resources with the contest and Expression Studio


Competition is open to U.S. students ages 13-19 participating in teams of two to four.

Students can participate with projects created in or out of class.

Contest Registration begins January 5, 2011 and closes Feb 28, 2011.

Submission Deadline dates in early March vary by state.

Expression Studio software, learning resources and support are provided free of charge to qualified schools and all registered students.

Join us in free Live Meetings sessions to learn more about the contest and Expression Studio. Links to sessions on the website http://bit.ly/Bliink


Tuesday, January 11, 2011 7:00 PM EST Introduction to bliink

The Expression Web environment

Creating sites from a template

Thursday, Jan 13,2011 7:00 PM EST More about bliink

Creating a new site with layers

Tuesday, January 18, 2011 7:00 PM EST Cascading Style Sheets (CSS)


Thursday, January, 20, 2011 7:00 PM EST Creating Dynamic Web Templates (DWT)

Meet us at TCEA in Austin, Texas!!

BYOD session: Web Design: A Communication Tool for Every Classroom Wed. Feb. 9, 1:30-3:00 PM

Workshop: Modern Web Design: A Door to your Students' World Fri. Feb. 11, 8:00-11:00 AM

For complete details visit http://bit.ly/Bliink

Email questions at innovativeteachers@microsoft.com

Microsoft College scholarships Encourage Students To Pursue Studies In Computer Science In 2010

Microsoft College scholarships are designed to encourage students to pursue studies in computer science and related technical disciplines. Students will be awarded scholarships in recognition of their passion for software, academic excellence, and ability to make a difference in the software industry...more