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COMPUTER LITERACY USA

Setting global standards for computer literacy, testing and certification

About CL-USA
•Mission
•Partners & Sponsors
•Get Involved
•Advertising

Computer Literacy Issues
•Establishing a Definition
» The Three Steps to
Self-Sufficiency
•Setting Standards
•Failed Attempts
•The Real "Digital Divide"
•Myths and Facts
•Back to Basics
•How Computer Literacy Will Make a Difference
•In the News

CL-USA
Test Center
•Take the Test
•About the CL-USA Test
•Test Benefits/Individual
•Test Benefits/Business
•Certification and "Card"
•Authorized Testing Locations (ATL's)
•Become an ATL

Resources and Reviews
•Courses
•Books and Courseware
•Links

Partners and Sponsors
•CL-USA Sponsor List
•Become a Sponsor

Feedback
•Send Your Comments
•What People are Saying

Contact Us
Director Bill Stewart
281-489-7944

Computer Literacy
TEST SIGN-IN

The Three Steps
to Computer Self-Sufficiency

The Proper Sequence to
Computer Self-Sufficiency

Step 1: Literacy
Understanding the basic principles and concepts underlying everything we do with computers. This is the most critical step and the one that most people fail to take. This is the primary concern of CL-USA.

Step 2: Functionality
Learning the basic keyboard and mouse procedures used by most programs to edit, save, print, minimize and maximize, cut and paste, work with menus, manage files, etc. Today basic functionality also includes using the Internet for e-mail and web browsing. Many people have achieved this level of functionality without first becoming computer literate, which severly limits their ability to progress.

Step 3: Specialization
Learning in-depth the details of specific programs. This can range from Microsoft Office programs to Web Development to programming to graphics. Many people have become "specialized" in using progams such as Word and Excel without first becoming computer literate.

(1) Literacy • (2) Functionality • (3) Specialization

Since the 1980's, the focus of computer "education" has been on functionality and specialization (steps 2 and 3 listed above and on the right), while "literacy" (step 1) is rarely addressed.

Today, literacy is almost completely out of the equation while functionality and specialization have become substitutes for literacy.

Even the two major computer "literacy" standards established by CertiPort and the European Computer Driver's license (ECDL) hopelessly confuse literacy with functionality (see Failed Attempts).

The brute force method of learning more and more applications to achieve computer literacy is like trying to learn how to cook by eating as many different types of food as possible. Just as no amount of eating will help one learn to cook, no amount of memorizing procedures for applications will make one a comfortable, confident, conversant and self-sufficient computer user.The popular notion that if you keep at it you will eventually figure it all out is usually quite wrong.

Computer literacy (step 1) should be the top priorty for both new and experienced computer users. It will save new computer users years of frustration while experienced computer users will make much more effective use of their abilities.

	COMPUTER LITERACY USA
		Setting global standards for computer literacy, testing and certification
Home Page About CL-USA •Mission •Partners & Sponsors •Get Involved •Advertising Computer Literacy Issues •Establishing a Definition » The Three Steps to Self-Sufficiency •Setting Standards •Failed Attempts •The Real "Digital Divide" •Myths and Facts •Back to Basics •How Computer Literacy Will Make a Difference •In the News CL-USA Test Center •Take the Test •About the CL-USA Test •Test Benefits/Individual •Test Benefits/Business •Certification and "Card" •Authorized Testing Locations (ATL's) •Become an ATL Resources and Reviews •Courses •Books and Courseware •Links Partners and Sponsors •CL-USA Sponsor List •Become a Sponsor Feedback •Send Your Comments •What People are Saying Contact Us Director Bill Stewart 281-489-7944					Computer Literacy TEST SIGN-IN
			The Three Steps to Computer Self-Sufficiency		Computer Literacy TEST SIGN-IN

						The Proper Sequence to Computer Self-Sufficiency Step 1: Literacy Understanding the basic principles and concepts underlying everything we do with computers. This is the most critical step and the one that most people fail to take. This is the primary concern of CL-USA. Step 2: Functionality Learning the basic keyboard and mouse procedures used by most programs to edit, save, print, minimize and maximize, cut and paste, work with menus, manage files, etc. Today basic functionality also includes using the Internet for e-mail and web browsing. Many people have achieved this level of functionality without first becoming computer literate, which severly limits their ability to progress. Step 3: Specialization Learning in-depth the details of specific programs. This can range from Microsoft Office programs to Web Development to programming to graphics. Many people have become "specialized" in using progams such as Word and Excel without first becoming computer literate.
				(1) Literacy • (2) Functionality • (3) Specialization Since the 1980's, the focus of computer "education" has been on functionality and specialization (steps 2 and 3 listed above and on the right), while "literacy" (step 1) is rarely addressed. Today, literacy is almost completely out of the equation while functionality and specialization have become substitutes for literacy. Even the two major computer "literacy" standards established by CertiPort and the European Computer Driver's license (ECDL) hopelessly confuse literacy with functionality (see Failed Attempts). The brute force method of learning more and more applications to achieve computer literacy is like trying to learn how to cook by eating as many different types of food as possible. Just as no amount of eating will help one learn to cook, no amount of memorizing procedures for applications will make one a comfortable, confident, conversant and self-sufficient computer user.The popular notion that if you keep at it you will eventually figure it all out is usually quite wrong. Computer literacy (step 1) should be the top priorty for both new and experienced computer users. It will save new computer users years of frustration while experienced computer users will make much more effective use of their abilities.