We live in an increasingly connected world
Once the preserve of scientifically inclined "geeks," knowledge of how computers function is now a crucial skill for everyone to develop. Virtually every aspect of modern life is affected by computers, and developing digital information literacy is essential in the 21st century. Computer education is exceptionally important for modern society, and is broadly required in order to maintain economic competitiveness at the personal, regional and national levels.
Digital Divide
Social observers have identified a phenomenon known as the "digital divide," a term that refers to the separation between those who possess information literacy and those who do not. This divide, which tends to separate along socio-economic fault lines, is characterized by the amount of access an individual or community has to the Internet, especially depending on the presence or absence of computer hardware and/or broadband access.
Educational and Professional Advancement
Computer education is especially key for students, from primary through graduate school. Students today are expected to conduct research on the Internet, complete homework online, and make use of presentation software in class discussions. Weak information literacy skills will hold students back just as certainly as weak conventional literacy skills will. Once students enter the work force, productivity on the job requires effective use of time-saving resources, and the computer is certainly on the top of the list. Training in basic software programs is considered elementary for most white-collar positions, even at the entry level. Communication through email is an office standard as well, and employees must learn to manage multiple means of communication using up-to-date technology.
Economic Implications
The 2010-2011 Occupational Outlook Handbook of the U.S.Bureau of Labor Statistics describes above average job growth for computer and information systems managers, considering employment prospects "excellent" for qualified job seekers. Information Technology is an increasingly important element of modern industry, and computer education is an essential element for people entering the job market, or seeking to advance in their career.
Social Connectivity
Social networking in the digital environment has also become increasingly common, as people find more and more ways of creating Internet-based communities. These groups have proven very effective at everything from political mobilization to dating services. The proliferation of social networking websites have made our world much smaller, allowing individuals to connect with each other in novel ways and organize to support causes that might otherwise receive scant attention from the broader public. A lack of computer training means a person has limited access to resources that might be of significant concern.
Dangers of Computer Illiteracy
The rapid development of technology unfortunately allows for criminal innovation as well, with identity theft and other Internet-based scams proliferating. Effective computer education reduces user vulnerability to everything from computer viruses to unwanted email. This is not merely a technical skill: training provides the user with a sense of how information is shared and distributed, warning them, for example, about the problem of posting embarrassing comments or photographs on a social networking site only to find them unearthed by a prospective employer in a job interview.
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