Computer Literacy
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What Computer Literacy IS:
and Is NOT

Computer Literacy is NOT:
Knowing how to turn a computer on.

Computer Literacy IS:
Knowing what happens as a result of turning a computer on.

Computer Literacy is NOT:
Being able to write a letter with a computer.

Computer Literacy IS:
Knowing what is required, in terms of hardware and software, to write letters.

Computer Literacy is NOT:
Being able to save a file.

Computer Literacy IS:
Knowing what a file is and where it physically goes when it is saved.

Computer Literacy is NOT:
Being able to use Windows.

Computer Literacy IS:
Knowing what Windows is and how it functions as an operating system program.

Computer Literacy is NOT:
Being able send e-mail and search the web.

Computer Literacy IS:
Understanding the Internet and how it works, in basic terms, as a computer network.

Computer Literacy is NOT:
Being able to use programs.

Computer Literacy IS:
Managing programs and what we create with them.

Computer Literacy is NOT:
Knowing how to do things with a computer.

Computer Literacy IS:
Knowing what it means when we do things with a computer.

There are so many misconceptions about computers and computer literacy that we devote this entire page to addressing some of the more common of them. If you'd like voice your opinions about this please send your comments. We will post it in our "What People are Saying" section.

Myth: Using a computer means understanding computers.

Fact: Many people use computers and get good at using certain programs but are unable to function on their own. They do not understand computers.

Myth: Today's high school kids are up to speed with computer technology.

Fact: Kids have grown up with computers and are not afraid of them. Generally, kids are fearless, under no pressure and have plenty of time to experiment. Because personal computers are designed to be easy to use (but not easy to understand), kids figure out how to do many useful and impressive things. But their knowledge is very superficial. Most teachers and parents are not only computer illiterate, they are not fearless and don't have a lot of time. Naturally most kids take advantage of every opportunity to lord something over adults, and computers are one of the greatest vehicles for this. But the reality is that all they have done is memorized a number of procedures to make things happen. By CL-USA standards, though, the vast majority are not computer literate.

Myth: If you keep working at it you will eventually figure your computer out.

Fact: The typical "brute force" method of memorizing procedures without learning the underlying concepts usually leads to long-term frustration. It almost seems counterintuitive that no amount of memorization will lead to understanding. It is not that the principles and concepts are difficult to understand, it's just that they are not obvious when you are using a computer. It's much like the act of driving a car gives no insight into how it works and what must be done to maintain it.

Myth: The technology keeps changing, and there is so much more to learn that it gets progressivley harder to catch up.

Fact: While it is true that more programs are being developed to allow us to do much more with our computers, computers themselves have not changed in principle since the first PC's of the 1970's—and even before that. They are certainly much faster and work with more information than before but what they do and how they do it have not changed. Learning to drive a car is no more difficult today than it was seventy years ago—even though they have a lot more amenities today and we can go more places faster. It is important not to confuse computers with what we do with them.

Myth: Learning the terminology and how a computer works is "too technical" and difficult to understand—and not necessary for the average computer user to know.

Fact: It is no more difficult to learn the essential workings of a computer than it is to learn what is needed to drive a car--—and it is absolutely essential. If people would put the same amount of time and effort into learning what they need to know about computers that they do into learning to drive, most of the problems and anxieties would evaporate. Even though the technical details behind the development today's computers is incredibly deep, we don't have to be computer engineers to understand how they work. Just like we don't have to be auto engineers to know how a car basically works (it burns gas, needs oil, shouldn't be overheated, etc. We don't need to know the firing order of the pistons or how a transmission is put together). Computer literacy is not "rocket science." The CL-USA standard for computer literacy is targeted at the average 14 year old.

Myth: The definition of computer literacy must change as the technology advances.

Fact: Computer literacy has many definitions, most of them centering around what we do with computers rather than understanding them. Any definition that centers on understanding computers should not change over time. The CL-USA definition (see Establishing a Definition) is as applicable now as it was in the 1970's.

Myth: Most people use computers and know a little bit about them.

Fact: You either understand computers or you don't. There is no "little bit" about it. Just like driving a car: you either know enough to be able to function on your own with a car or you don't. It would be very disturbing to hear someone who drives say "I know a little bit about driving."