Computer Foundations – Are you Computer Literate?
From the opening sequence of LearnKey’s new Computer Foundations course, you will instantly see that this is not an ordinary LearnKey production. You will begin to see just how inundated we have become by technology and electronics—and what’s more, you will also learn how easily you, (or your computer neophyte friends with whom you will please share this article), can take advantage of these “new-fangled innovations”.
Although the course is aimed at youngsters, there are still many in the adult population who may not have been exposed to computers, for whatever reason. Even 2008 presidential candidate John McCain admitted, when asked about computer skills, “I am an illiterate that has to rely on my wife for all the assistance that I can get”. The truth of the matter is that he has a whole entourage of tech savvy assistants who can “get on the Google” and send emails for him, his wife alone is not enough.
Can’t we just get by nowadays as long as we are fortunate enough to have a personal assistant, a friend, a spouse, a life partner, or a computer-literate pet to help us when the need arises? Well, here’s food for thought: * 42 million American adults can't read at all; 50 million are unable to read at a higher level that is expected of a fourth or fifth grader.* The number of adults that are classified as functionally illiterate increases by about 2.25 million each year.* 20 percent of high school seniors can be classified as being functionally illiterate at the time they graduate. The point is that if there are that many people just “getting by” somehow with just the reading skills of a fifth grader, just think how many are also “fooling the digital world” by “just getting by” in regards to computer skills. “R U serious?”
As for the rest of the computer literate world, imagine not knowing some of the basics we know and use everyday: The checkout at the store, the ATM machine, using a digital camera, the ability to communicate instantly across the globe would all become embarrassing and difficult challenges everyday without a foundation of computer skills.
What does computer literacy even mean? The word “literacy”, as with reading ability, implies that there is a universal need for knowing a certain skill. Just as a person should be able to actually read words in order to be “literate”, a computer literate person needs to be able to actually “do” computers. That’s the beauty of this courseware; you learn technology by actually using technology. After all, being computer literate doesn’t mean you know about computers because you have read about them! Computer literacy means you need to know some simple basics — how to open and save a file, how to use a word processing program, and how to send and receive email — for starters. It means being as comfortable using a computer as you would a microwave, a phone, or a DVD player.
Okay, so you’ll need someone’s help in getting the course up and running, but from there you will immediately use the mouse and keyboard to do such vital, but ominous-sounding, computer tasks such as "data input"! You will watch and learn, and then be prompted to do, such things on your own as: navigate Windows operating systems, change application settings and manage files within an application, perform common editing and formatting functions, perform common printing functions, manipulate and control the Windows desktop, manipulate files and disks, and Identify how to change system settings. [Deep breath]. You will learn: appropriate use of hardware components, technology-related terms, concepts, data input strategies, basic introduction to networking concepts and file share methods, understand basic software packages, methods to manipulate files, integrating files from different software, and saving files.
You will even learn how to install and remove software! At which point you will be fully able to install and setup your next LearnKey training course such as Word 2007 or the like.
I’m not done yet.
You will also learn about the internet, use terminology related to the Internet appropriately including, but not limited to, electronic mail (e-mail), Uniform Resource Locators (URLs), electronic bookmarks, local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), World Wide Web (WWW) page, and HyperText Markup Language (HTML). You will learn electronic search strategies in the acquisition of information including keyword and Boolean search strategies.
This course will take you into Business Application software where you will learn to format text and documents including the ability to use automatic formatting tools, Be able to insert, edit and Format tables in a document, boarders, alignment in cells. Even learn to develop strategies for capturing digital files while conserving memory and retaining image quality. Explore, identify, create, and use files in various formats such as text, bitmapped/vector graphics, image, video, and audio files.
It’s all no different, really, than when you first learn to drive a car: you are shown how to do it, you practice doing it—even if timidly at first, and soon you’re going 60 miles an hour down the freeway while texting your friend, listening to your iPod, and steering with your knee (not recommended).
Speaking of things “not recommended” we didn’t forget to include some of the dangers and pitfalls included with a digital life. The course helps you understand social responsible computer usage, covering legal usage and copyright concerns. You will even learn how to discern sources, discerning fact from fiction or opinion.
Evan Glassett will be your guide into this brave new world of computer literacy. He will do it effectively while maybe making you laugh out loud. Have fun while you take this course, we had fun making it for you!
*Information found on education-portal.com
