Computer Literacy, Can You Compete?

The exact definition of computer literacy can vary from company to company; usually the definition will depend on the related technology used by the company. What cannot be argued is the need for individuals to have skills that are associated with computers to enable them to compete in the jobs market.

A second component of computer literacy is to know how computers work and operate. Having these basic skills can be a significant asset especially in developed countries. The ability to use very specific applications, usually Microsoft Word, Microsoft Outlook for example is enough to define you as computer literate. For those of you who are looking to begin your journey to computer literacy, Microsoft Office is the pinnacle of Word Processing software. It is the one-stop shop business application for writing letters, reports, essays and numerous documents. Microsoft Outlook provides an integrated solution for managing your time and information, connecting across boundaries, and remaining in control of the information that reaches you.

As companies become more dependent on computers, employers will insist that their workers have basic computer skills. This results in companies being able to compete and run their business faster and cheaper.

You will find that different countries have levels of need due to their social standards and level of technology; the digital divide is global, and often unequal, which leaves third world country’s often unable to compete. The digital divide is also prevalent in this country, the poorest in our community having little or no access to computer technology. The concern surrounding the digital divide has an increasing emphasis on “social inclusion” and all that it entails. One of the major concerns is the inability to access information, thus losing out on the competences that employers seek in the jobs market.

For the youth of our country computers are increasingly used in schools. They are used to access the internet for information and to write essays, (historically this would have been done with pen and paper). Computer skills themselves then, need to be taught, usually to the adolescent; although increasingly much younger children have access and use computers at school.

Basic computer skills will include; knowing how to switch on the computer, the ability to use a mouse to interact with elements on- screen, the ability to use the keyboard and being able to shut down the computer after use. Intermediate skills will include some of the applications already mentioned in the second paragraph. It really is important in this day and age to be computer literate; the level of literacy is for you to decide…