I discovered a great book this weekend that I am sure will be part of my research. I may not get time to write over the weekend but I can certainly think and read. The book I am reading is called The Black Elite by John Barber. It made me think about my study. Perhaps I could interview those who are considered The Black Digerati Elite by John T. Barber. I wonder if Barber would consider being on my committee. I could ask the elite among African Americans what they see as the factors or conditions that lead to the dearth of African American males in Information Technology.

Last night I returned to Houston. I usually do not get much work done during the weekend. But on Thursday night, working from my outline I was able to begin my writing. I have 4 pages produced toward my introduction. I am really hoping I get an opportunity to write on Sunday, but if not my goal is to double my output and organize my thoughts and ideas this coming week.

Last night I revied the introduction to my Masters thesis. This was a helpful excerise. I also continued to work on my outline. I think I came up with a few good components to begin to write my chapter 1. My plan is to start writing tonight.

I did not get any work done over the holiday weekend. But I am ok with that as I was very productive during the week. I spent the weekend enjoying time with my family. And it was worth it. I was productive in terms of locating all of the books that I mentioned in previous posts and I organized them. I also located my Masters thesis which I intended to read tonight, but I did not get it read. For this week, I plan to read it and do more brainstorming and working on my outline. This is a short week but I need to get some work done. I am very hopeful to start writing this week and submit my first draft next week.

On Thursday night (May 21, 2009) I started to think about my outline. I did some brainstorming using mind map software. I think I came up with some good things and some not so good. I intend to go through this excercise a couple of more times as I read over some of the ideas in the craft of research. I intend to have some sort of outline done before the weekend is over and I intend to spend next week writing off of the outline.

Kai

Last night I read over Whip's dissertation introduction and I also thought about the outline for my introduction. I also looked for several articles using the keywords that I came up with. Tonight I plan to sketch my outline before I start writing this weekend.

Last night while thinking about my study and reading I remembered certain books that I have read that I can use. Roger's Diffusion of Innovation. This should be a good one. And also Technology and Social Inclusion: Rethinking the Digital Divide. I also will use New Literacies by Michelle Knobel. I also thought of keywords that I can use to find literature such as digital divide, and technology adoption.

I did some reading last night and thought about what I needed to include in my chapter one. I also received clarification from Dr. Riel regarding what should be in the chapter. I love the way KE did hers and that will be my model. Tonight I plan to finish my book and do a little writing.

I also want to remember to search for my Master's thesis which Dr. Diop remarked was very helpful to him on this journey. I need to find my copy of Race, Rhetoric, and Technology.

This week I intend to get some writing done. I have received clarification on what should be in chapter 1. I also read a couple of chapter 1's last week as well as reviewed The Craft of Research. I will continue to review it as a write. I also have given myself a deadline of June 19, 2009 to be done with my chapter 1. This week I will read Blacks and Technology. It is written by Raymond Chukwu and it should fit nicely into my introduction. I also intend to use Technology and Social Inclusion. This is a work that we studied in one of my courses at Pepperdine.

And now I am back. I have just removed myself from my partnership from Fred Pryor Seminars. I am also taking a break from teaching at Kaplan University so that I can reach the two goals that I have setup for myself in 2009. The first goal is to complete my dissertation and become Dr. Kai in 2010. The second goal is to spend more time with my family. As of today, outside of work these are the only two areas that I will focus my life exclusively for the next year. I have also written to my chair, Dr. Margaret Riel about changing the focus of my study. This week I will get back to putting some serious hours into finishing my paper. And I will not lose focus again!

Kai