Shaw University

Today we visited Shaw University. I didn't realize how historic the school was. We took 16 TechnoScholars and two chaperones. The university is much smaller than my Alma Mater, Hampton University. This was just the right size for many of our newer members. One mentioned how the campus reminded them about their neighborhood during the night time with the exception that in their neighborhood the multitudes (my word) that walk around at night time don't carry books. This Technoscholar was new to our program and had not been on any of our earlier trips. His brother has been on our trips and had inspired his older brother to accompany him on the trip. It was truly warming to see this neophyte look at a college campus and see people who reminded him of "home" with an educational "upgrade." Now he could imagine himself in the setting. Mission #1 accomplished.
Shaw University is a private historically black university located in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. It is the oldest HBCU in the South.[1] Shaw is a religiously oriented institution affiliated with the General Baptist State Convention of North Carolina and has been instrumental in developing generations of leaders. Shaw is a member of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. Shaw has emphasized the connection between learning and religion. Since its founding, the university has stressed development of moral character as essential to the learning process.
Recently the university won a 5-year grant with University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill to create a Partnership for the Elimination of Health Disparities for minorities, which adds to its research capacity and a 7-year grant with John Hopkins University for the two institution's partnership for Gerontological Research. And in 2007 created a foreign exchange program with The People's Republic of China's Southeastern University, the first program established between an American and a Chinese institution since 1978.[2]
The university offers a variety of undergraduate degrees in fields ranging from natural science, to business and accounting, religion and philosophy, education and computer science. Shaw University offers various graduate programs such as the Master of Divinity, the Master of Arts in Religious Education and the Master of Science Degree in Early Childhood Instruction. As of 2007, Shaw's enrollment has increased to 3,700 students.[3]

The Techno Scholars and Public Speaking

The NSU Techno Scholars again, continued with their Public Speaking Sessions with Ms. Jessica. The purpose of the Public Speaking, is to teach the mentees, the necessary and essential tools that will be needed for not only public speaking, but also for effective oral communication in every aspect of life; personal or professional.

CJ and Deonte gave oral presentations about themselves and while both had very different approaches of their oratory abilities, they also displayed similarities as they were both genuine and authentic with their presentation material. While their feedback from their peers was positive the consensus of the group as a whole was for the presenters to improve on their body language as body language is pivotal when giving speeches.

For example, if they presenter has their hands folded, and slouching, that may reflect an interpretation and/or perception as boredom, or not comfortable speaking to the audience, etc. We also continued the session discussing impromptu, or instant topics where the group spoke on their viewpoints on the respected topics.

One of the topics was "Should Homework be Banned." Keon expressed his thoughts on the aforementioned topic and felt that: "Homework should not be banned, but his key point is that it should only be maybe a couple of days a week" I also shared my thought on homework in that homework should not just reflect the preparation of the SOL's (The required testing for schools to maintain their accreditation.) but that it should also reflect a students reflection on learning both mentally and socially.

Overall these sessions in Public Speaking, I feel have the youth thinking, and over the next few weeks would like to have the Public Speaking and Blogging come together in one session as both, as previously stated represent effective communication: The Public Speaking representing the Oral Communication, and the Blogging representing the Written Communication. Both of these essential communication skills are used throughout life.

Hopefully, over the next couple of weeks, the youth will catch up on their blogging so that we can start reviewing blogs and help improve essential writing skills, especially the fact that school will be starting in a few weeks.

My Experience in Blogging

Well, the whole concept of technology for personal use is still new to me; after all, the only computer in the house growing up was the calculator....LOL Over the past 12 years since the birth of Cyberspace and the World Wide Web, I have gotten better with my fear of technology, especially recently when I was introduced to the idea of Blogging, or Online Journaling.

Journaling, which is something that I've done off and on over the years, is a way of expressing feelings in writing rather than verbally and/or orally. I don't know about anyone else that may read this, I know 95% of the time I do better expressing myself in writing rather than verbally. I know that blogging has also improved my writing skills.I have always enjoyed writing when I was younger, however; I had a teacher and a professor that both told me that my writing was bad and I stopped writing, and I think when that happened, my confidence and self esteem literally hit to an all time low.

Someone very special to me, encouraged me to give my writing another chance, and so here I am, trying to give my writing another chance.
I would like to say that I have done well with it, writing and submitting some poetry. Now my job is to get the not just the youth that I mentor to blog their experiences in the program that they are of; NSU Techno Scholars; but also to help them as well as my students throughout the school year to improve their writing skills.

While that may sound a lot easier that it actually will be, at least introducing the youth to blogging and journaling; hopefully will also give the youth a place where they can feel that they can express their innermost thoughts and feelings without feeling pressure, or being scared. Self expression is the key of communication which is something we do as a people in society 24/7/365 whether it is verbal or written with no vacation and no benefits.

So while I get into my blogging and/or journaling, it will teach me to be a role model and to help the youth and the students that I work on a daily basis to get into blogging and/or journaling as well, but introducing the basics of writing; who, what, when, where, how, and why. I look forward to enhancing my skills in blogging and hopefully and prayfully, I will be an example to others, especially the youth...

Why Should Youth Blog and why it should be encouraged?

The youth of the 21st century have an advantage over the youth of past generations, the use of technology. However, with the youth of technology and the invention of the Internet; the youth somehow forgot the ability to create and think; most importantly, the power of expression in a positive way. What has came to our attention recently with youth and cyberspace, is all of the online predators, as well as the cyber bulling.

So my question is why not use cyberspace in a positive for youth, rather than a negative? This is where Blogging or online journaling is so pivotal. The purpose of journaling, or a diary, is to express our inner most thoughts. The first PC known blog and/or journal was on a TV Show in the late 1980's called: "Dougie Houser, MD." The main character Dougie, a teenage doctor, ended his day with some type of journal (blog) entry on his PC to express his most innermost thoughts and/or feelings or experience of that particular day.

That idea of Journaling and/or blogging was also done by the character, Carrie Bradshaw on Sex and the City. The idea of Journaling with youth is nothing new, it's just that now it's not encouraged. The purpose and idea of Journeying and/or blogging, is simple; as stated previously, it is used to express one's innermost thoughts, ideas, feelings, and or experiences throughout ones life. What is not realized with journaling and/or blogging is that it also helps with improving writing skills, as well as self expression and communication skills.

So why do youth have such an issue with self expression, communication, and writing skills? Well the self expression is simple, most youth is not aware that behavior is something that is taught, as well as learned, but if behavior is either taught of expressed in a negative light, well; then the youth will be likely to behave in a negative or inappropriate way.Youth should be introduced and expose to different things so that they will be able to create their own Identity. In self expression comes the ability to communicate, and communication comes in various forms, one being writing.

Writing is a key communication tool that is used throughout the world and society to get important news, views and opinions, out to the world. In order for youth to understand the importance of blogging and/or journaling it needs to be introduced in steps beginning with self expression.

Exercises in what they like to do, or where they see themselves in 20 years, or why is the election important, is how we can encourage writing. Using the pivotal who, what, when, where, how, and why, is a beginning. If we do not take the time to prepare these youth and teach them how to express themselves by journaling/blogging, issues like cyber bulling will continue, and worse we will have a generation that will no longer be able to think or express themselves as they will have technology to do it for them.

This was submitted as an article on Helium.com and Suite 101 and is waiting for approval for posting......

Public Speaking and Blogging

Tonight was a very informative evening as the mentees, had a lesson on public speaking. Public speaking is very important as it is not only a form of communication of getting necessary information out, but also to express the thoughts of the speaker.

Ms. Jessica was very informative and helped the mentees begin to think about the tools necessary needed for speaking; posture, writing their thoughts, using description, etc. She also assisted in giving positive feedback to the mentees on how to improve their public speaking.

Over the next few weeks, and especially during the school year my goal is to work on blogging and tie into the public speaking in with the blogging; as blogging help and assist with necessary writing skills. Writing and Speaking are imperative tools that are needed for communication.

The idea of both writing and speaking is to get your point across; to express necessary thoughts and feelings. Writing, as well as speaking are tools that are used everyday whether you are prepared to speak and write or not.

You may be very shy and not like to, unless if you are around your closest peers, not like to speak in public. But there are times that you are going to have to step up to the plate and have to speak.

Enjoy the evening......See you soon.....

Ms. Mitch

Greetings and Salutations

Hello all;



I am still new to this technology stuff so I am hoping that you all will be able to read this. I am so sorry that I cannot be with you all tonight; but rest assure; I will be with you all the rest of the week and I have an interesting writing project for you all to work on. I want you all to think of the things that you all like to do the most.....Good. Now that I have you thinking, I want you all to put the things that you like to do in this format:



Example: "On the weekends, I like to do_________________ . I don't always get to do _______________ because_______________________..."



"Another example I would like you to use: During the school year I like to do_______________; because__________________, and I __________________."



These are some of the things that I would like to work with you on during my time with you as well as powerpoint presentations so that we can strengthen your writing, as well as social skills, especially for the fact that testing is going to be a lot tougher, and one of the things that you need to be able to do throughout your academic careers is be able to write as well as to speak well.



Yes, we all love to use slang (example; what up? Yo, what's good?), however, we are not always able to speak like that in the public eye and I will explain that a little more in the up coming weeks; but I would like you to try those two examples for me and we will discuss them on Wednesday. Enjoy the rest of your evening and I'll see you Wednesday......



Ms. "Mitch"

My First Night as a Techno Scholars Mentor: 4 August 2008

My First Evening as A Techno Scholars Mentor was an awesome experience. I spent the first part of the evening observing the mentees in their Martial Arts Class. The Mentees were taught various defensive techniques used in martial arts that would generally be used in both competition and in the event they found themselves defending their lives.



The instructor was very informative, and very energetic and reiterated to the mentees that what they learn in the class is not to be used on anyone or to be practiced without proper supervision, as well that they could not only hurt themselves, but can hurt others.



The second half of the evening, was spent working on their music projects (Fruity Loops), and their adobe photoshop projects. I was just totally intrigued and in awe all of the technology that these mentees know. I've just learned how to really manage my email folders and recently learned how to do powerpoint well enough for class presentations, as well as use a digital camera and post pictures on the website.



When I was the mentees's ages, we didn't have computer use or the use of technology as it is now. Hard Drives were very small, and floppy disks which have been replaced with jump drives. Floppy Disks were as large as a pizza box and then later reduced to the size of a notebook, and then were again reduced to the size of a wallet or a small billfold. Then CD's came out and CD's were used to save material, and now we have the jump drives.



I remember that the only form of communication was just the telephone and the television before the cable days. When cable came out, there were very few networks, Lifetime, ESPN, MTV, as well as WGN which is actually a TV Station in Chicago, are some of the old and faithful.



Now virtually everything is depended on technology and the internet. I remember all that I had to learn in my job as an IT Support/Customer and Data Support Specialist about technology in order to resolve customers issues on a daily basis and remembered growing up and being the ages of some of the mentees, how issues with the phone system, car repairs, and/or issues with appliances took days and even weeks to repair. Now with the Technology age that we live in, technical repairs can be fixed in the matter of minutes, never and rarely exceeding a few hours.



Yes this new mentor throroughly enjoyed her first evening with the Techno Scholars and look forward to many, many more, and looks forward to helping the mentees with their various projects.

The Summer Academy TechnoBlogs

During our Summer Academy we accepted additional participants for a two week program. During the program many of the new participants maintained TechnoBlogs. Here are their efforts:

David Johnson http://thehotspotva.blogspot.com/
William Moore http://krypton9.blogspot.com/
Christian McNeal http://christianmcneal.blogspot.com/
Andre Hicks http://unctarheels44.blogspot.com/
Sidney Simmons http://sidsplanet.blogspot.com/
Corbin McElrath http://corbinmcelrath.blogspot.com/
Tapiwa Musapatike http://tapiwam.blogspot.com/
Daquan Davis http://daquandavis.blogspot.com/
Justin Poe http://justinpoe.blogspot.com/
Khari Thrasher http://kingkt-kt.blogspot.com/
Tremal Simmons http://tremalsblog.blogspot.com/
Daevon Young http://dayoungfresh.blogspot.com/
TraeRon Sykes http://traeronsykes.blogspot.com/
Demondre Avery http://drestechnoblog.blogspot.com/

Happy New Roman-Calendar Year 2008

Happy New Roman-Calendar Year,

We will have our fist 2008 session with our Techno-Scholars Saturday Jan. 5th at 10:00 AM. We will all meet at the Brambleton Center @ 10:00 AM. We will then depart to MacArthur Cetner Mall arount 10:20 AM. If you are able to assist with transportation we appreciate your support ! We will see the movie "The Great Debaters" at 11:00 AM in MacArthur Center Mall. Tickets are $7. Your Techno-Scholar will need additional money if they wish to buy food. You may pick your boys up @ 2:00in front of Dillards on Granby Street. We will resume our normal schedule following Jan. 5th.
I've seen the movie twice now. I believe the movie will give our Techno-Scholars a glimpse into the generation of Americans who provided the foundation for the type of country we currently live in. I applaud the Great Debaters, those both alive and ancestors who we now celebrate in the great film. It doesn't hurt that Melvin B. Tolson who was portrayed by Denzel Washington is/was a fraternity brother of Askia and I.

Seko VArner, Assn. Director

A. Sparrow, Director
757-823-9122

S. Varner, Assistant director
757-823-9122, 404-3743

Turkey comes early !

We will not have our normal session tommorow 11/21/2007 as we begin an early Turkeyday recognition. Eat well & enjoy your families !

Seko VArner
Assistant Director, Techno-Scholars

Moving on up !

We have reached November with our program ! We began with 20 and we currently have 18 with solid attendance. The two Techno-Scholar that are in question will be replaced if they do not improve their attendance. Our boys attended a Gala celebration for the Hampton Roads Messenger last weekend and have made an indelible impression upon the Business people of Hampton Roads. It's a joy to see these 20 pearls polish themselves. They are climbing, we keep lifting........ One day they will do the lifting. Improvement is a wonderful thing !

Old Dominion University 10/29/2007

Today we visited Old Dominion University in our continuing effort to expose our pearls to college life. On campus we had a presentation, a tour of the facilities, and lunch......Our boys enjoyed lunch the most obviously. A number of questions were given by the boys during the tour which leads me to believe that they benefited from the tour. We ended the tour with requests to visit again. After O.D.U. we met with staff from Norfolk State in their audio/visual lab. Our Pearls made introductory commercials with the technology of the site. We will return to allow the Pearls to create complete Public Service Announcements ! Our boys simply enjoyed being on the microphone and did not want to leave. Another day of success for our program !

Techno Scholar's Funding Source - NAFEO

NAFEO's Programs:

Over the past several decades, the United States has lagged behind other nations in scientific and technological research. HBCUs are aggressively working to fill the increasing demand for graduates in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. Between 1983 and 2003, the number of white students receiving doctorates in engineering, for example increased only 30 percent whereas the number of black graduates receiving doctoral degrees increased by an astonishing 72%. Two HBCUs, North Carolina A & T and Morgan State were ranked among the top seven engineering programs granting degrees to African Americans. The programs outlined here directly address the goal of NAFEO to increase faculty, students, and professionals in these areas.
Through a new NAFEO program, the Minority-Serving Institutions (MSI) CyberInfrastructure Institute, NAFEO, the Hispanic Alliance of Colleges and Universities (HACU), the American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC), and a community of researchers, faculty, and students are participating collaboratively to provide training and support in developing and implementing tools and techniques that support the distributed research and education process including, but not limited to: usage of computational grids for remote processing, data mining and management, java-based web service technology, research collaboration using web portals, and distance learning using video teleconferencing.

Techno-Scholars Program
The Techno-Scholars Program is a faith-and community-based pilot program at Hampton University and Norfolk State University designed to prepare black male youth between the ages of 12 and 14 for college and/or career success and decrease the likelihood of their entering the juvenile/criminal justice system and/or prison. Today, when children in inner city schools are more likely to be African Americans but less likely to be connected to the internet, the NAFEO Techno Scholars Project has paired two universities with middle and high school youth in Virginia. This technology-focused program has engaged youth in a combination of experiences designed to introduce them to and improve their technological skills, as well as enhance their academic and social skills. The program provides laptop computers to the participants to allow them to access online content, including development plans, exercises, surveys, and tutorial sessions via a web portal. This program focuses on two strategic goals: (1) capacity building, with a focus on student leadership development; and (2) advocacy, with a focus on a public policy issues consistent with the mission and priorities of NAFEO.
2007 © NAFEO

Sat. 10/6 & Mon. 10/8/2007 Techno Scholar Events

From Seko VArner:
Saturday 10/6/07 we will meet at the Brambleton Center @ 10:00 AM. Our Techno Scholars will go to a park and enjoy themselves. We will end at 2:00 p.m. We will all return to the Brambleton Center (B.C.O.C.) at 2:00 P.M. Dress accordingly.
Monday 10/8/07 we will meet at the BCOC at 9:00 AM for our second in a series of College trips. We will either visit T.C.C. or Old Dominion University. Each Techno Scholar (T.S.) should bring $5 - $10 for lunch, snack, and/or collectibles. We will also watch the movie "Ali" which is about Muhammad Ali. This movie is rated pg-13 due to boxing violence and a few profane words. It has a great message and is culturally relevant to our purpose.

Blog 1

From Seko:
The first blog for Techno Scholars ! Follow the link below to see photos of our first few days and our Techno Blitz ! 20 young men, I've taken to calling them "pearls" since they are always trying to give me "pearls of wisdom", are going to receive technological instruction to a degree that a college student would receive after paying ! This is going to change some lives, if I don't take their lives......... Stay tuned.

http://www.nsu.edu/technoscholars/photos/index.html