Computer Literacy Essay, Research Paper

Everywhere you look you see some sort of computer. There everywhere from schools, to the grocery store checkout line, movie theatres and even in the shirt pockets of some businessmen. Back about ten years ago it was a chore to find someone with a computer, and the Internet please what good is that. As time went on computers became just as common as television sets in homes straight across America. Now it seems if you don?t have an Internet connection what?s the point of having a computer. Also there is not a day throughout the year that we do not hear the word ?e-mail? or a new www.something.com business. Computers and technology are totally giving the workplace, education, and for that matter the world a complete overhaul. As I see the metamorphosis happen before my eyes I believe that it is imperative that young children and adults of all ages become familiar with and start using this new super tool called the computer.

I do not think I could stress enough the importance of having children become computer literate. The computer is just going to become a bigger and bigger tool in our new cyber-space era. The computer should be introduced to youngsters in the low elementary grades and slowly worked into the curriculum to become a major part of the students? everyday agenda. I believe that in the future homework assignments and reports will have to be sent into the teacher via e-mail. I also believe that eventually there will be a computer terminal at every student?s desk throughout America. Computer literacy is a must for the next generation.

I also think computer literacy is important for adults too. However I do not think computer literacy is more of a priority for older adults as it is for children. I believe adults should know at the very least the basics about the computer and the Internet. For example the other day I showed my grandfather how to instant message me when I?m online and how to e-mail me when I?m not. He was delighted to have accomplished such a feat at his age. He was amazed to see how easy it was to communicate online. I also believe that showing older Americans how to use the computer would keep them out of boredom and loneliness. For example if old Grandma Smith wanted to write to her Granddaughter Sally across the county or even across the globe for that matter the letter would arrive within seconds of it being sent. If middle-aged men wanted to research a new lawn mower for the spring it would be a snap if they knew there way around the web. I tried and tried to think of a downside to having older Americans becoming computer literate and I just cannot think of any.

Computers are the wave of the future; they?re not just a fad that?s going to disappear in a few years there here to stay. Having young children grow up with computers is already happening everywhere. Adults will only benefit from all of the convenient knowledge and information that the computer and the Internet bring. Yes, computer literacy is a must for boys and girls of all ages!!