Computer Literacy
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The surprising truths
about computer literacy

• It does not require a great deal of time and expense to become computer literate.
• The popular notions of what computer literacy is are ambiguous, inconsistent, ridiculously complicated and completely misguided (see "Establishing a Definition").
• Computer literacy is not being taught in our public schools (see the article about the CL-USA test being used to quiz Texas teachers).
• What it takes to become computer literate has changed very little since the first PC's appeared in the 1970's.
• One cannot become computer literate by learning procedures.
• One is either computer literate or not.
• Those who are computer literate are rarely able to explain things to those who are not.

The challenge facing CL-USA, and the rest of society is to reverse the perception that computers are appliances of convenience that require little knowledge in order to use them effectively.

In reality, computers represent the primary tool of the Information Age, where the way we live, work and play is changing dramatically. The computer must be treated as an essential productivity tool rather than an incidental component of our daily lives that we grudgingly accept as a necessary evil.

• People would embrace the technology rather than feeling like victims.
• The limitations that most people have would dissolve.
• Meaningful communication about computers could take place.
• There would be far less stress.
• Computer users would become avid self-learners.
• Computer users would be able to solve many of their own problems.
• Fewer problems would arise.
• Much less time would be wasted fixing the same problems over and over.
• Help desk activity would drop instantly and dramatically.
• Talented, high-functioning computer specialists would not have to spend so much valuable time with people who need constant attention and cause problems.
• Productivity would skyrocket in business and education.

Is it really so far-fetched to believe that the entire population could become computer literate? In America, nearly every adult is able to drive and maintain a car. Becoming computer literate takes about the same amount of time and effort that it does to learn to operate a car. We all submit to the state mandated testing and licensing policies when it comes to driving, and we spend the necessary time learning the essential concepts and procedures. Why not the same for computers?