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What is Computer Literacy? Benefits, History, Skills & Assessing Your Level

Introduction

Computer literacy is the ability to understand and use computers and other technology. In today’s world, having a basic understanding of computers is essential for almost all aspects of life, from finding a job to engaging with online communities. In this article, we will explore what computer literacy is, the benefits of being computer literate, the history of computer literacy, tips and strategies for developing computer literacy skills, and how to assess your computer literacy level.

The Benefits of Being Computer Literate

Having a basic understanding of computers can open up many doors in terms of job opportunities and other life skills. Here are some of the main benefits of being computer literate:

Increased Job Opportunities

In today’s job market, having a basic understanding of computers is essential. Most employers expect their employees to be able to use computers and other technology, so having a good grasp of computer literacy can give you an edge when applying for jobs. Even if the job you’re applying for doesn’t require you to use a computer, having computer literacy skills can still be beneficial as it shows potential employers that you have the ability to learn new skills quickly.

Improved Communication

Being computer literate also makes it easier to communicate with others. Whether you’re using email, video conferencing, or social media, having a good understanding of computers can help you stay connected with friends, family, and colleagues. Additionally, having a basic understanding of computers can make it easier to search for information online and keep up with the latest news and trends.

Enhanced Problem-Solving Skills

Having a basic understanding of computers can also help you develop problem-solving skills. By learning how to troubleshoot computer issues and research solutions online, you can become more adept at solving problems both on and off the computer.

History of Computer Literacy: How We Got Here

Computer literacy has come a long way since its beginnings in the early days of computing. Let’s take a look at how we got here.

Early Days of Computing

The first computers were large and complex machines that required highly skilled operators. These machines were mainly used for scientific and military purposes, and only a small number of people had access to them. As such, there was no need for widespread computer literacy.

Emergence of Personal Computers

The emergence of personal computers in the 1980s changed the landscape of computing. These machines made computers more accessible to the general public, and people began to realize the potential of computers for everyday tasks. This led to the development of computer education courses and the rise of computer literacy.

Growth of the Internet

The growth of the internet in the 1990s further increased the need for computer literacy. With the internet came a whole new range of possibilities, from shopping online to researching topics and communicating with people around the world. This led to the creation of more computer literacy courses and resources.

Developing Computer Literacy Skills: Tips and Strategies

If you want to become computer literate, there are several things you can do to improve your skills. Here are some tips and strategies for developing your computer literacy skills:

Learn the Basics

The first step to becoming computer literate is to learn the basics. You should familiarize yourself with the different components of a computer (such as the monitor, keyboard, and mouse) and understand how they work together. Additionally, you should learn how to use the operating system and common software programs such as word processors, spreadsheets, and web browsers.

Practice, Practice, Practice

Once you’ve learned the basics, it’s time to start practicing. The best way to learn is by doing, so try out different tasks on the computer and see how they work. This will help you get a better understanding of the different functions and features of a computer.

Utilize Online Resources

There are also plenty of online resources available to help you learn computer literacy. From online tutorials to forums and discussion groups, you can find a wealth of information online to help you become more comfortable with computers.

Exploring the Different Types of Computer Literacy

When it comes to computer literacy, there are three main types: basic computer literacy, digital literacy, and information literacy. Let’s take a look at each one in more detail.

Basic Computer Literacy

Basic computer literacy refers to the ability to understand and use technology. This includes being able to use a computer’s operating system, performing basic tasks such as sending emails or using a word processor, and troubleshooting basic computer issues.

Digital Literacy

Digital literacy is the ability to use technology to create and share content. This includes creating websites, writing blog posts, and using social media. It also involves understanding how to protect yourself online, such as avoiding scams and phishing attempts.

Information Literacy

Information literacy is the ability to find and evaluate information from a variety of sources. This includes knowing how to search for information online and being able to critically evaluate the reliability of a source.

Assessing Your Computer Literacy Level

Once you’ve developed your computer literacy skills, you may want to assess your level. Here are some tools you can use to do so:

Self-Assessment Tools

Many websites offer self-assessment tools that allow you to gauge your computer literacy level. These tools ask you questions about your knowledge and experience with computers, and then provide you with an overall score.

Online Tests and Quizzes

You can also take online tests and quizzes to assess your computer literacy level. These tests usually cover a wide range of topics, from understanding computer hardware to using common software programs.

Teaching Computer Literacy in the Classroom

Computer literacy is an important skill for students to have, and schools are beginning to recognize this. Here are some ways schools are incorporating computer literacy into their curriculums:

Implementing Technology Into the Curriculum

Many schools are incorporating technology into their curriculums, such as teaching students how to use computers and software programs. This helps prepare students for the future and gives them a better understanding of how to use technology in their everyday lives.

Offering Computer Literacy Courses

Some schools are now offering dedicated computer literacy courses, which teach students the basics of computers and how to use them. These courses can be beneficial for those who don’t have much experience with computers.

Utilizing Technology to Enhance Learning

Technology can also be used to enhance learning in the classroom. For example, teachers can use interactive whiteboards and tablets to engage students and make lessons more interesting. Additionally, students can use computers to research topics, write papers, and collaborate with classmates.

Computer literacy is an important skill to have in today’s world. Having a basic understanding of computers can open up many doors, from increased job opportunities to improved communication and enhanced problem-solving skills. To become computer literate, you should learn the basics, practice, and utilize online resources. Additionally, you can assess your computer literacy level with self-assessment tools and online tests and quizzes. Finally, schools are beginning to recognize the importance of computer literacy and are implementing technology into their curriculums and offering dedicated computer literacy courses.

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Students and Their Computer Literacy: Evidence and Curriculum Implications

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For a number of years, education authorities have responded to the importance of school students developing computer literacy by including it as part of the school curriculum, directly as a cross-curriculum capability, and by assessing the extent to which students are computer literate. Computer literacy and related concepts, such as ICT literacy, are defined so as to include both technological expertise and information literacy. Assessments of computer literacy, even though they vary, indicate that there are substantial variations in levels of computer literacy among students in the lower years of secondary school. In technologically developed countries, approximately one half of Year 8 students demonstrate proficiency, or advanced proficiency, in computer literacy, but up to 10% have very limited computer literacy. Assessments of computer literacy can also provide the basis for progression maps that could be used to inform curriculum development. Those progression maps will be more valuable if the frameworks on which they are based become more strongly integrated with each other. In addition, computer literacy appears to be influenced by student background, including familiarity with computers, as well as the emphases placed on it in classrooms and schools and the support provided by ICT in education systems. At present, there is less information about school and classroom influences on computer literacy than there is about student background influences. In the immediate future, the construct of computer literacy may need to accommodate increasingly to changes in software and hardware contexts in which it is manifested.

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The Influence of Information and Communication Technology Use on Students’ Information Literacy

ICT Literacy: An Imperative of the Twenty-First Century

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Ainley, J. (2018). Students and Their Computer Literacy: Evidence and Curriculum Implications. In: Voogt, J., Knezek, G., Christensen, R., Lai, KW. (eds) Second Handbook of Information Technology in Primary and Secondary Education . Springer International Handbooks of Education. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-71054-9_4

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Essay on Digital Literacy

Students are often asked to write an essay on Digital Literacy in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Digital Literacy

Understanding digital literacy.

Digital Literacy is knowing how to use digital devices like computers, tablets, and smartphones. It’s about understanding the internet and social media. It’s important because we live in a digital world. We use digital tools for school, work, and fun.

Why is Digital Literacy Important?

Digital Literacy helps us learn and communicate. It helps us find information quickly and easily. It can also keep us safe online. We need to know how to protect our personal information and avoid dangerous sites.

How Can We Improve Digital Literacy?

We can improve Digital Literacy by learning. Schools and libraries often have classes. We can also learn from friends or family. Practice is important too. The more we use digital tools, the better we get.

Challenges of Digital Literacy

Sometimes, Digital Literacy can be hard. Not everyone has access to digital tools. Some people might find them difficult to use. But with time and patience, we can overcome these challenges.

In conclusion, Digital Literacy is a vital skill in today’s world. It helps us learn, communicate, and stay safe online. Despite challenges, we can improve our skills with learning and practice.

250 Words Essay on Digital Literacy

What is digital literacy.

Digital literacy is the ability to use digital devices like computers, smartphones, and tablets. It’s about knowing how to search for information online, use social media, send emails, and protect your personal information. It’s a bit like learning to read and write, but with technology.

In today’s world, technology is everywhere. We use it for school, work, and even fun. Being digitally literate helps you do all these things easily. It also helps you stay safe online. For example, knowing how to spot a scam email can protect you from losing money or personal information.

Parts of Digital Literacy

Digital literacy has many parts. One part is technical skills, like knowing how to use a keyboard or mouse. Another part is understanding how to find and use information online. This could mean using a search engine, reading a blog post, or watching a video tutorial.

Learning Digital Literacy

You can learn digital literacy at school, at home, or even by yourself. Many schools teach students how to use technology safely and effectively. Parents can also help by showing their kids how to use devices and the internet responsibly.

The Future of Digital Literacy

As technology keeps changing, digital literacy will also change. It will be more important than ever to keep learning new skills. This will help us keep up with the digital world and make the most of the opportunities it offers.

In conclusion, digital literacy is a key skill for the modern world. It helps us use technology safely and effectively, and it will only become more important in the future.

500 Words Essay on Digital Literacy

Digital literacy is the ability to use digital technology, such as computers, smartphones, and the internet. It includes knowing how to find information online, how to use social media, and how to stay safe on the internet. Just like we need to know how to read and write in school, we also need to learn digital literacy in today’s world.

Digital literacy is important because we use technology every day. We use it for schoolwork, to talk to our friends, and even for fun. If we do not know how to use technology safely and effectively, we could get into trouble. For example, we might accidentally share personal information online, which can be dangerous. Or we might have trouble completing school assignments if we do not know how to use the internet for research.

Digital literacy is not just about knowing how to use a computer. It has many parts. Here are a few:

1. Technical skills: This includes knowing how to use different devices, like laptops, tablets, and smartphones. It also includes knowing how to use different types of software, like word processors and web browsers.

2. Information skills: This involves knowing how to find and evaluate information online. Not everything on the internet is true, so it is important to know how to tell the difference between reliable and unreliable sources.

3. Safety skills: This includes knowing how to protect yourself online. This means understanding how to create strong passwords, how to avoid scams, and how to protect your personal information.

Improving Digital Literacy

There are many ways to improve digital literacy. Schools often teach students how to use technology and the internet. There are also many online resources that can help. These include tutorials, videos, and websites that explain how to use different technologies. It is important to practice these skills regularly, just like any other skill.

In conclusion, digital literacy is a vital skill in today’s world. It involves understanding how to use technology, how to find and evaluate information online, and how to stay safe on the internet. By improving our digital literacy, we can become more confident and capable users of technology.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

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Computer Literacy Essay

Type of paper: Essay

Topic: Education , Computers , Students , Learning , Pollution , Information , Future , Literacy

Published: 12/02/2019

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Recently, computers are being used in most of the current jobs students will be taking on in the future. Computers are known to make many tasks easier and faster to perform while still being accurate. For instance, computers are being used in finance, business, education, and medical fields. With this, students should be taught at least the basic skills that they will need in the future. There are several reasons why computer literacy should be considered as a requirement: First, computers make the student learning process easier. Second, these machines are used in almost all working fields. Finally, technological developments depend mostly on computers.

A computer is an important tool for learning. Students can write their school paper using computers. They can conveniently look-up information using the Internet. If students, for example, were asked to write a paper about pollution, but they do not know the meaning of the word, they could use a search engine to search for its meaning. They will find different information from the definition of the word, to the types of solutions to prevent pollution from happening. They can also find recently published studies on pollution as well as new techniques for its prevention. All these information can be found easily if the student was taught how to use the computer and on how to use search engines. This will be useful for them in their future.

Finally, the massive improvements in computer technology invite us to utilize it in the field of education in an innovative way. It is a must that students possess the basic knowledge of using computers in order to cope up with this development. An example for this massive improvement is the newly developed way for communication such as using the web camera to communicate via computers as well as through smart phones.

It is not exaggerated to say that those who do not know how to use computers are ill equipped for the future. We definitely have to make computer literacy a requirement for high school graduation.

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Chapter 6: 21st-century media and issues

6.14.1 Literacy in computer science (prospectus)

John Parker

English 102, February 2021

My final research essay will cover the ways in which the literary aspects of reading, writing, and communication are involved in the field of computer science. I chose to focus on computer science for two main reasons. Firstly, I am pursuing a degree in this field and have a love and passion for programming. Secondly, computer programming is becoming a massive filed as time passes, due to the national increase in automation throughout the workforce. This means that it is a topic that is very relevant, and that it is a topic that has an impact on more individuals than just computer programmers. The argument that I will be making throughout my essay is that computer programming is a “language,” meaning that it is its own unique form of literacy. The process that I will utilize to display the various ways in which literacy is involved in the field of computer science and to create a strong, cohesive argument involves three key steps. The first of which is analyzing the ways in which computer programming involves reading, writing, and communication. Using the evidence from the previous sections of my essay and further sourcing, I will then discuss how computer programming is its own unique form of literacy. Finally, I will use evidence from earlier sections of my essay and further research to show how literacy skills and programming ability benefit one another. This organizational structure can best be described as climatic, as I am building up the essay to reach the point of proposing a use of the research that I have composed.

In order to effectively compile and display all necessary and relevant research, I have proposed six research questions that I will answer throughout my final research essay. The first three questions are: “How is writing used within the field of computer science?,” “How is reading applicable to the field of computer science?,” and “How is communication involved in the field of computer science?” These three questions work together to analyze the ways in which the literacy aspects of reading, writing, and communication are involved in the field of computer science. The next question that I will answer is: “Is computer programming its own literacy in the same way that English is its own literacy?” This question will incorporate the evidence gathered from the first three research questions and use further research to show how programming can be considered its own language. This leads into the final question that I will be answering: “Do programming ability and literacy skills have benefit one another?” This question uses the research on how computer programming involved literacy, how computer programming can be described as a language of its own, and further research to depict how these findings can impact the ways in which computer science is taught academically.

Using these research questions as a guide, I was able to find an ample amount of research on my topic. I found that there were two common “categories” that research on the topic of literacy within the field computer science falls under. The first is research on how computer science involves one specific aspect of literacy, whether it be reading, writing, or communication. The second is research on the relation between literacy skills and ability to learn programming efficiently. Although most of the research on this topic does not analyze how computer programming is a literacy of its own, it does allow for me to piece together how reading, writing, and communication are used within the field to create a strong argument on the topic. I also found a few interesting articles that do not specifically focus on literacy at all, but that I can use to further examine the literacy involved in computer programming. The article that most directly falls under this category is: “Classifying Programming Languages.”

Through the extensive research that I have done, I have found which academic fields care about my topic. These include, but are not limited to, computer science, Literacy Studies, STEM fields, engineering, communication, education, information technology, psychology, and sociology. These academic fields all have varying levels of interest in my topic, as though most interested are the fields of computer science, literacy studies, and education. Although that is the case, all of these fields have an interest in this topic for their own unique purposes, meaning that the ways in which this topic is analyzed by researched is very wide. This implies that the research I obtain is inclusive and is not limiting to the angle of approach from which I can address my findings.

An outline of the layout that I plan to use for my final research essay is as follows:

I will open my essay with a sentence that hooks the reader in, most likely surrounding the idea that a traditional STEM field includes literacy. I will then give an overview of what programming is and explain the importance of programming in my own life. Explaining how programming is relevant in my life and important to me will capture the attention of the reader, as people enjoy to read something that is more personal and in narrative form. I would usually end the introduction with a thesis statement detailing the main points that I will address throughout my essay, but I am going to experiment with conveying my thesis throughout the essay.

After my introduction, I will address the ways in which writing is prevalent within the field of computer science and programming in general. I will use the sources, “Programming is Writing is Programming,” “if You Can Program, You Can Write: Learning Introductory Programming Across Literacy Levels,” and “Computer Programming as Literacy,” to support the idea that writing is involved in Computer Programming.

I will then address the ways in which reading is prevalent within the field of computer science and programming in general. The sources that I will use to back up the idea that reading is involved in computer programming are “Encoding Literacy in Computer Science” and “Reading skills can predict the programming performance of novices: an eye-tracking study.”

Next, I will discuss the ways in which communication is used and its importance within the field of computer science. The sources that I will use in this section include “Computer Code as a Medium for Human Communication: Are Programming Languages Improving?” and “Communication Skills for the 21st Century engineer.”

The next section of my essay will focus on how computer programming can be considered its own unique form of literacy. I will open up this paragraph by discussing my experiences with learning to program. My struggles did not come with the computational side of computing, but rather with the syntax and formatting side of coding. This will lead me into the use of my first source, “Classifying Programming Languages.” I will use this source to show how complex the world of programming is, with syntax and grammar of its own, and compare it to the grammar and structure used in human language. I will spend the rest of this section discussing findings on how programming can be considered a language of its own. I will do this through the usage of many academic sources and usage of my own personal experiences whenever most appropriate. The sources that I will use in this section include “Role and meaning of functional science, technological and engineering literacy in problem-based learning,” “Human Languages vs. Programming Languages,” and “Computer Programming as Literacy.”

The next and final section of my research essay will cover how literacy skills and programming ability benefit one another. I will open this section by discussing how my reading ability has helped me to adapt to programming more quickly than some of my peers who have struggled with reading in the past. I will continue this section by discussing various academic articles that focus on how literacy skills can improve ability to learn to program. These articles include “Computational Thinking and Literacy” and “Reading skills can predict the programming performance of novices: an eye-tracking study.” Using this information, I will discuss how these findings show that teaching programming to young people in ways that literacy is taught may be more effective than just the typical STEM approach. The academic articles that I will use to back this up include “Coding as another language: a pedagogical approach for teaching computer science in early childhood,” “Encoding Literacy in Computer Science,” “Computational Thinking and Literacy,” and “If You Can Program, You Can Write: Learning Introductory Programming Across Literacy Levels.”

I will conclude my research essay by discussing how literacy is involved in many STEM fields, contrary to popular belief. I will discuss the future of programming in general, placing a special emphasis on what the findings outlined in my essay mean for the future of programming education. The paragraph and essay will end with a concluding sentence that leads the reader to both becoming more interested in programming and to look for literacy in activities that may not commonly be thought of as involving literacy.

Annotated Bibliography

Bers, Marina Umaschi. “Coding as another language: a pedagogical approach for teaching  computer science in early childhood.”  Journal of Computers in Education  6.4 (2019):  499-528.

This scholarly article discusses a new method of teaching computer science to young children starting in kindergarten. This new approach to teaching early childhood programming is called “Coding as Another Language.” This method of teaching coding deviates from the typical STEM approach, offering the proposition that computer science teaching can be enhanced by incorporating the design of literacy instruction, due to the parallels that exists between natural languages and programming languages. This article will be useful to me by enhancing my argument that programming has its own complex literacy through the exploration of the similarities between natural languages and programming languages.

Cencelj, Zvonka, et al. “Role and meaning of functional science, technological and engineering  literacy in problem-based learning.”  Journal of Baltic Science Education  18.1 (2019):  132-146.

This academic article discusses functional literacy in STEM fields for problem-based learning. The article discusses the growing dilemma in the fields of STEM regarding a lack of functional literacy, which is defined as the ability to apply reading, writing, and communication to a specific field. The importance of being able to create and read written texts in the fields of science, technology, and engineering are discussed. The results show that competency in functional literacy leads to success in STEM subjects. Since computer science is in an engineering discipline, this article will enhance the argument that literacy skills benefit programming ability.

“Classifying Programming Languages.”  Pltypes , Loyola Marymount University,

cs.lmu.edu/~ray/notes/pltypes/.

This non-academic article focuses on classifying various programming languages using a wide array of methodologies. Through the consideration of comparative aspects, many of the most common programming languages were divided into eight categories. For each category being considered, the syntax, structure, and abilities were examined and compared to those of the other categories. The article also explains various programming styles or “paradigms” that are commonly used within computer science. This article will enhance my argument that programming has its own complex literacy through the comparison of the many styles of programming and the many ways styles of writing.

Dubochet, Gilles. “Computer Code as a Medium for Human Communication: Are Programming  Languages Improving?” Proceedings of the 21st Working Conference on the Psychology  of Programmers Interest Group. No. CONF. University of Limerick, 2009.

This scholarly article discusses implications of coding that go further than just commanding a computer, focuses on how coding is becoming a channel for communication between individuals. The article explores the increase in team usage in the field of computer science, suggesting that the ability to understand the code that other’s write is extremely important. The article also examines a key role of communication in programming, which is communication between programmers and stakeholders. The study described in the article used eye-tracking and social behavioral evidence to support the claim that programming languages are developing as a channel for human communication. This article supports my argument that there is communication involved in programming.

Grafwallner, Peg. “Encoding Literacy in Computer Science.”  Edutopia , George Lucas Educational Foundation, 10 Jan. 2018, www.edutopia.org/article/encoding-literacy-computer-science.

This non-academic article discusses an instructional coach and computer science teacher’s experiences with implementing literacy lessons into a computer science class. The article examines the various ways in which reading literature differs from reading code. The researchers found that reading takes place in the form of understanding directions by thinking about them in a successive but theoretical manner. The computer science class was taught with an emphasis on literacy through directions, ultimately proving to boost the success of the students’ ability to program. This article will enhance my argument that programming has its own complex literacy and support the idea that literacy skills benefit programming ability.

Harris, Ana. “Human Languages vs. Programming Languages.”  Medium , Medium, 1 Nov. 2018,  medium.com/@anaharris/human-languages-vs-programming-languages-c89410f13252.

This non-academic article compares natural languages with programming languages, primarily using the author’s experiences as a linguist and a programmer. The article explores the criteria for something to be considered a language and explains how programming languages can be categorized in this way. It goes on to examine the similarities and differences between human languages and programming languages. The findings of this article suggest that understanding these similarities and differences will help to advance machine translation and speech recognition. This article supports my argument that programming is its own unique literacy by showing how it is a language in itself.

Hermans, Felienne, and Marlies Aldewereld. “Programming is writing is  programming.”  Companion to the first International Conference on the Art, Science and  Engineering of Programming . 2017.

This scholarly article explores the similarities and differences between programming and writing. This article uncovers many of the parallels between the writing process and the coding workflow by comparing various practices that are frequently performed in both fields. The results of the study show that there are many similarities between the two, which leads the idea that programming education may be able to adapt some teaching methods primarily used in writing education. This article supports the idea that the literacy practice of writing is prevalent in programming and strengthens the argument that programming has its own complex literacy.

Jacob, Sharin Rawhiya, and Mark Warschauer. “Computational thinking and literacy.”  Journal  of Computer Science Integration  1.1. 2018.

This scholarly article discusses programming education in K-12 schools and its correlation with literacy education. This article explores the ways in which computational thinking is its own literacy, how literary skills can lead to stronger computational skills, and how computational skills can improve literacy development. This article found that computational thinking is its own form of literacy, making a case for the integration of computer science courses in K-12 schools. This article supports my argument that computer science is its own form of literacy and strengthens my idea that both literacy skills and programming skills benefit one another.

Riemer, Marc J. “Communication skills for the 21st century engineer.” Global J. of Engng.  Educ 11.1 (2007): 89-100.

This scholarly article discusses the importance of communication skills within the field of engineering. By exploring various situations in which communication is necessary, the article shows that communication and language skills are a key asset for modern engineers. The article focuses primarily on English language and communication skills, but also discusses the benefits that come with being a bilingual engineer. The findings of this article suggest that an increase in communication and language courses in college curriculums will produce more successful engineers. This article will be useful in supporting my argument that communication is important within the field of computer science.

R Hassenfeld, Ziva, et al. “If You Can Program, You Can Write: Learning Introductory Programming Across Literacy Levels.”  Journal of Information Technology Education: Research , vol. 19, 2020, pp. 065–085., doi:10.28945/4509.

This scholarly article explores the results of an elementary school plan to combine computer programming education with reading and writing in an elementary school. The article discusses results from a test on literacy and an assessment of students’ understanding of an introductory program language, drawing conclusions based upon their correlation. The purpose of this article was to analyze the connection between students’ literacy levels and their height of achievement in grasping an introductory programming language. The results of this study indicate that there are fundamental understandings and constructs that are shared by literacy and computer programming.

Schoeman, Marthie. “Reading skills can predict the programming performance of novices: an eye-tracking study.”  Perspectives in Education  37.2 (2019): 35-52.

This scholarly article discusses a study of the relationship between reading skills and the ability to code. The results of the study show that students with low reading skills failed the programming component, while those with higher reading skills did better overall. These results depict the fact that reading skills do play a role in one’s ability to learn programming, attributing this relation to the fact that programming is high-level written language in its own sense. This article is useful to my essay, as it displays how the literacy practice of reading is prevalent in programming.

Vee, Annette. “Computer Programming as Literacy.”  Coding Literacy , 2017, pp. 445–452., doi:10.7551/mitpress/10655.003.0003.

This excerpt from “Coding Literacy: How Computer Programming is Changing Writing” discusses how programming is a literacy in itself. The purpose of this article is to examine the connection between programming and writing, focusing on how programming is affecting modern literacy.  The article examines the ways in which studying programming from a humanities lens connects to literacy research that focuses on how people manage with technological entities. The author finds that programming is its own form of literacy, as it includes aspects of writing and communication, stating that computer programs are constantly being used in our everyday lives to read our interests and taste through many applications.

Understanding Literacy in Our Lives by John Parker is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License , except where otherwise noted.

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Bertie County Center

The Importance of Computer Literacy for Senior Citizens in 2024

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Senior citizens benefit tremendously from digital literacy! Photo by Sweet Life on Unsplash

In today’s fast-paced digital world, computer literacy is no longer just a skill reserved for the young. Senior citizens, often overlooked in discussions about technology, are increasingly recognizing the importance of embracing computer literacy in 2024. As technology advances and becomes more integrated into daily life, seniors who embrace computer literacy gain access to numerous benefits that can enhance their quality of life and keep them connected in an ever-evolving society. Here are some ways that seniors can benefit from having a strong digital skill set:

• Computer literacy makes connecting with loved ones, friends, and the broader community easier for senior citizens . Technology provides avenues for seniors to engage socially and combat feelings of isolation. By using social media platforms, email, and video calling applications, seniors can bridge geographical gaps and maintain meaningful relationships regardless of physical distance.
• Digital skills can also open the door to a wealth of information and resources that can enrich seniors’ lives . From accessing online news sources and digital libraries to exploring educational websites and online courses, seniors can continue learning and expanding their horizons well into their golden years. The internet offers a vast repository of knowledge at seniors’ fingertips.
• Computer literacy also enables seniors to access essential services and conveniences conveniently . Online banking, shopping, healthcare appointments, and government services are increasingly digitized, offering seniors greater convenience and efficiency in managing various aspects of their lives. Embracing digital tools and services can streamline everyday tasks and empower seniors to maintain independence and autonomy as they age.
• Another benefit of computer literacy for senior citizens is how the use of digital skills fosters cognitive stimulation and mental agility . Learning to navigate digital interfaces, solve technological challenges, and adapt to new software cultivates mental acuity and challenges the brain in beneficial ways. Studies have shown that engaging with technology can improve seniors’ cognitive function, memory retention, and overall mental well-being, contributing to healthy aging and cognitive longevity.

Despite these numerous benefits, the digital divide persists among older adults, with many seniors lacking access to or proficiency in digital technology. Initiatives to promote computer literacy among seniors are crucial in ensuring inclusivity and equal participation in the digital age. One such initiative that will directly benefit senior residents of Bertie County is the North Carolina Cooperative Extension’s new Digital Skills Education Program. This grant-funded program has enabled Extension to hire digital skills agents in 12 lucky counties to host free digital skills education opportunities, and Bertie is one of them!

Bertie Extension’s new Digital Skills Agent, Rebecca Jinnette, has been armed with a state-of-the-art mobile computer lab classroom kit which she will be using to deliver free digital skills programming. Rebecca plans to target seniors with her first round of free classes on Computer Literacy for Seniors at the Bertie Council on Aging, which begins on May 29 th and will run throughout the summer. She is also available during office hours (9 a.m.-5 p.m.) for individuals to schedule free 1:1 tech sessions. “Sometimes one-size-fits-all training isn’t the best answer, especially for people who might struggle with feelings of shame or fear about their lack of digital skills,” said Rebecca, who added “One-on-one sessions tailored specifically to a client’s needs can often prove more impactful than a classroom setting.”

In conclusion, digital skills are essential for all senior citizens because they provide a gateway to empowerment, connection, and enrichment. By embracing technology and developing digital skills, seniors can unlock a world of opportunities, stay connected with their communities, and lead fulfilling lives in an increasingly digitalized society. As we strive for a more inclusive and equitable future, let us all recognize and support the importance of computer literacy for senior citizens in bridging the digital divide and promoting active aging. The N.C. Cooperative Extension is here to support this mission. Kenny Sherin said, “Extension has always been there to help society adjust to new changes. It’s part of our DNA. Just as Extension helped farms modernize at the turn of the century, here we are again facing a new technological shift. Our mission is to empower every North Carolinian with digital skills for success in work, health, and life.”

If you want to sign up for digital skills classes through the Bertie Senior Center please call them at 252-794-5315. If you’d like to host a class, find a class near you, or schedule 1:1 tech time please don’t hesitate to reach out to the Bertie County N.C. Cooperative Extension Digital Skills Agent, Rebecca Jinnette, directly by calling her at 252-794-5317 ext. 6170 or emailing her at [email protected] .

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• Trending Events /

World Computer Literacy Day: Date, Theme, History, Significance

• Updated on  
• Nov 29, 2023

With the invention of computers, the functioning of the entire world has changed. Digital learning is introduced at primary and secondary levels to make kids familiar with computers. A specific day is dedicated to celebrating World Computer Literacy Day . The World Computer Literacy Day is celebrated on 2 December every year since 2001. It is celebrated to drive digital literacy among women and children and encourage people towards a digital future. However, to date, there are certain sections of who are deprived of digital access so WCLD supports and promotes computer literacy in all sections of society. Keep reading and explore the date, theme, history, and significance of World Computer Literacy Day!

Also Read: National Science Day

Table of Contents

• 1.1 Previous Year Theme of World Computer Literacy Day
• 2 History: When is World Computer Literacy Day Celebrated?
• 3 Significance of the Day

World Computer Literacy Day Theme 2023

Every year a specific theme is decided to celebrate WCLD. This day is celebrated to spread awareness in society about the importance of computer literacy. The theme for this year’s WCLD has not been announced yet.

Previous Year Theme of World Computer Literacy Day

Following is a list of themes that were used on the in the previous years

Also Read: What is the Full Form of PC in Computer?

History: When is World Computer Literacy Day Celebrated?

World Computer Literacy Day was an initiative by an Indian company NIIT National Institute of Information Technology. It was started on 2 December 2001 to mark the 20th anniversary of its establishment. In 2002, World Computer Literacy Day was celebrated together with many members of the Parliament. They were also provided computer training to spread awareness about computer literacy in the Presence of then Prime Minister of India Atal Bihari Vajpayee . 

The main aim behind celebrating this day is to surpass the issue of the global digital divide. It has affected millions of people to whom computer literacy is inaccessible. Therefore, this day fuels the need to bridge the digital divide among the people.

Also Read: Components of Computer

Significance of the Day

On this day, people emphasise the importance of computers in day-to-day life. Computer is a basic necessity nowadays because everything is digital. It also focuses on eradicating the digital divide between different sectors of society.

This day holds a significant role in the adoption of digital technologies, mainly by women and children. 

Also Read: International Women’s Day

Relevant Blogs

World Computer Literacy Day is celebrated to spread awareness about computer literacy and to bridge the digital divide between the different sectors of society.

National Institute of Information Technology (NIIT), started Computer Literacy Day on 2 December 2001.

Charles Babbage, the British scientist is known as the father of computer because he invented computer.

For more information about such informative articles, check the trending events page of Leverage Edu .

Kajal Thareja

Hi, I am Kajal, a pharmacy graduate, currently pursuing management and is an experienced content writer. I have 2-years of writing experience in Ed-tech (digital marketing) company. I am passionate towards writing blogs and am on the path of discovering true potential professionally in the field of content marketing. I am engaged in writing creative content for students which is simple yet creative and engaging and leaves an impact on the reader's mind.

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• MyU : For Students, Faculty, and Staff

CS&E Announces 2024-25 Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship (DDF) Award Winners

Seven Ph.D. students working with CS&E professors have been named Doctoral Dissertation Fellows for the 2024-25 school year. The Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship is a highly competitive fellowship that gives the University’s most accomplished Ph.D. candidates an opportunity to devote full-time effort to an outstanding research project by providing time to finalize and write a dissertation during the fellowship year. The award includes a stipend of $25,000, tuition for up to 14 thesis credits each semester, and subsidized health insurance through the Graduate Assistant Health Plan.

CS&E congratulates the following students on this outstanding accomplishment:

• Athanasios Bacharis (Advisor: Nikolaos Papanikolopoulos )
• Karin de Langis (Advisor:  Dongyeop Kang )
• Arshia Zernab Hassan (Advisors: Chad Myers )
• Xinyue Hu (Advisors: Zhi-Li Zhang )
• Lucas Kramer (Advisors: Eric Van Wyk )
• Yijun Lin (Advisors: Yao-Yi Chiang )
• Mingzhou Yang (Advisors: Shashi Shekhar )

Athanasios Bacharis

Bacharis’ work centers around the robot-vision area, focusing on making autonomous robots act on visual information. His research includes active vision approaches, namely, view planning and next-best-view, to tackle the problem of 3D reconstruction via different optimization frameworks. The acquisition of 3D information is crucial for automating tasks, and active vision methods obtain it via optimal inference. Areas of impact include agriculture and healthcare, where 3D models can lead to reduced use of fertilizers via phenotype analysis of crops and effective management of cancer treatments. Bacharis has a strong publication record, with two peer-reviewed conference papers and one journal paper already published. He also has one conference paper under review and two journal papers in the submission process. His publications are featured in prestigious robotic and automation venues, further demonstrating his expertise and the relevance of his research in the field.

Karin de Langis

Karin's thesis works at the intersection of Natural Language Processing (NLP) and cognitive science. Her work uses eye-tracking and other cognitive signals to improve NLP systems in their performance and cognitive interpretability, and to create NLP systems that process language more similarly to humans. Her human-centric approach to NLP is motivated by the possibility of addressing the shortcomings of current statistics-based NLP systems, which often become stuck on explainability and interpretability, resulting in potential biases. This work has most recently been accepted and presented at SIGNLL Conference on Computational Natural Language Learning (CoNLL) conference which has a special focus on theoretically, cognitively and scientifically motivated approaches to computational linguistics.

Arshia Zernab Hassan

Hassan's thesis work delves into developing computational methods for interpreting data from genome wide CRISPR/Cas9 screens. CRISPR/Cas9 is a new approach for genome editing that enables precise, large-scale editing of genomes and construction of mutants in human cells. These are powerful data for inferring functional relationships among genes essential for cancer growth. Moreover, chemical-genetic CRISPR screens, where population of mutant cells are grown in the presence of chemical compounds, help us understand the effect the chemicals have on cancer cells and formulate precise drug solutions. Given the novelty of these experimental technologies, computational methods to process and interpret the resulting data and accurately quantify the various genetic interactions are still quite limited, and this is where Hassan’s dissertation is focused on. Her research extends to developing deep-learning based methods that leverage CRISPR chemical-genetic and other genomic datasets to predict cancer sensitivity to candidate drugs. Her methods on improving information content in CRISPR screens was published in the Molecular Systems Biology journal, a highly visible journal in the computational biology field. 

Hu's Ph.D. dissertation is concentrated on how to effectively leverage the power of artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) – especially deep learning – to tackle challenging and important problems in the design and development of reliable, effective and secure (independent) physical infrastructure networks. More specifically, her research focuses on two critical infrastructures: power grids and communication networks, in particular, emerging 5G networks, both of which not only play a critical role in our daily life but are also vital to the nation’s economic well-being and security. Due to the enormous complexity, diversity, and scale of these two infrastructures, traditional approaches based on (simplified) theoretical models and heuristics-based optimization are no longer sufficient in overcoming many technical challenges in the design and operations of these infrastructures: data-driven machine learning approaches have become increasingly essential. The key question now is: how does one leverage the power of AI/ML without abandoning the rich theory and practical expertise that have accumulated over the years? Hu’s research has pioneered a new paradigm – (domain) knowledge-guided machine learning (KGML) – in tackling challenging and important problems in power grid and communications (e.g., 5G) network infrastructures.

Lucas Kramer

Kramer is now the driving force in designing tools and techniques for building extensible programming languages, with the Minnesota Extensible Language Tools (MELT) group. These are languages that start with a host language such as C or Java, but can then be extended with new syntax (notations) and new semantics (e.g. error-checking analyses or optimizations) over that new syntax and the original host language syntax. One extension that Kramer created was to embed the domain-specific language Halide in MELT's extensible specification of C, called ableC. This extension allows programmers to specify how code working on multi-dimensional matrices is transformed and optimized to make efficient use of hardware. Another embeds the logic-programming language Prolog into ableC; yet another provides a form of nondeterministic parallelism useful in some algorithms that search for a solution in a structured, but very large, search space. The goal of his research is to make building language extensions such as these more practical for non-expert developers.  To this end he has made many significant contributions to the MELT group's Silver meta-language, making it easier for extension developers to correctly specify complex language features with minimal boilerplate. Kramer is the lead author of one journal and four conference papers on his work at the University of Minnesota, winning the distinguished paper award for his 2020 paper at the Software Language Engineering conference, "Strategic Tree Rewriting in Attribute Grammars".

Lin’s doctoral dissertation focuses on a timely, important topic of spatiotemporal prediction and forecasting using multimodal and multiscale data. Spatiotemporal prediction and forecasting are important scientific problems applicable to diverse phenomena, such as air quality, ambient noise, traffic conditions, and meteorology. Her work also couples the resulting prediction and forecasting with multimodal (e.g., satellite imagery, street-view photos, census records, and human mobility data) and multiscale geographic information (e.g., census records focusing on small tracts vs. neighborhood surveys) to characterize the natural and built environment, facilitating our understanding of the interactions between and within human social systems and the ecosystem. Her work has a wide-reaching impact across multiple domains such as smart cities, urban planning, policymaking, and public health.

Mingzhou Yang

Yang is developing a thesis in the broad area of spatial data mining for problems in transportation. His thesis has both societal and theoretical significance. Societally, climate change is a grand challenge due to the increasing severity and frequency of climate-related disasters such as wildfires, floods, droughts, etc. Thus, many nations are aiming at carbon neutrality (also called net zero) by mid-century to avert the worst impacts of global warming. Improving energy efficiency and reducing toxic emissions in transportation is important because transportation accounts for the vast majority of U.S. petroleum consumption as well as over a third of GHG emissions and over a hundred thousand U.S. deaths annually via air pollution. To accurately quantify the expected environmental cost of vehicles during real-world driving, Yang's thesis explores ways to incorporate physics in the neural network architecture complementing other methods of integration: feature incorporation, and regularization. This approach imposes stringent physical constraints on the neural network model, guaranteeing that its outputs are consistently in accordance with established physical laws for vehicles. Extensive experiments including ablation studies demonstrated the efficacy of incorporating physics into the model. 

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