Computer literacy can be defined as someone’s knowledge and ability to effectively use a computer and other Information and Communications Technology (ICT). It covers everything from using a computer’s hardware and software to perform basic tasks to more advanced computer programming. Computer literacy also includes knowing the meaning of vital computing terms.
Computer literacy is different from digital literacy. Digital literacy refers to someone’s ability to communicate or locate information through digital platforms, such as checking emails on the phone or creating an online social media profile. In contrast, computer literacy refers to someone’s ability to use a computer and their functional knowledge of how computers work.
What are basic computer literacy skills?
While there isn’t a definitive list of basic computer literacy skills, it is possible to provide a general overview.
Basic Functions
The starting point for computer literacy includes using equipment like the vital board, mouse, and trackpad, switching the computer on and shutting it down correctly, and launching applications. Users should also be familiar with basic functionality like typing using the vital board, clicking and double-clicking using a mouse or trackpad, and using the copy and paste commands.
Office Software Packages
Computing is viewed as a vocational subject because many employers require their employees to use basic office software. For younger learners, typing using a word processor will be one of their first skills. Word processing will probably also be their first introduction to the ‘undo’ and ‘redo’ functions and text formatting using bold, italic, and underline. Creating documents will also require learners to understand how to use the ‘save’ function.
Alongside drawing and painting packages, children in vital stage 1 will start using presentation software to create slides. It might include adding images and formatting text in visually-appealing ways.
Later in vital stage 2, children might begin to use spreadsheets, learning how to enter formulae into cells, using basic functions such as SUM, MIN, MAX, and AVERAGE; this might even lead to creating graphs, which are then formatted appropriately.
Browsers And Search Engines
In vital stage 1, children are introduced to using the Internet safely; this will usually include using ‘for kids’ to ensure safer search results, searching the Internet using one word, making sense of the search engine results page, and following links and returning to the results page. They can also expect to be given a chance to try out a range of search engines.
Communication
An essential part of computer literacy is communicating safely using services like email. In vital stage 2, children are likely to be taught how to identify and deal with ‘spam’ emails and create secure passwords for their online accounts. Children are also guided on how to safely, respectfully, and responsibly communicate online, including what information they should never share and how to deal with cyberbullying. This learning will probably include how photographs can be altered and presented as reality online.
Why is computer literacy essential?
Computer literacy is essential for several reasons:
- Many jobs require the use of computers in some form. For example, office work is mostly based around a computer.
- Basic computer literacy skills can help children move onto more advanced skills, such as programming.
- Communication today is mostly digital. Therefore, children must understand how to communicate safely, appropriately, and effectively through various communication tools.
- With computer literacy developed through vital stages 1 and 2, children can move on to more advanced and technical computer skills.
