Re: Definition of Computer Literacy

Andrew Topper (topperan@pilot.msu.edu)
Mon, 12 Aug 1996 17:44:00 EDT

Jennifer wrote:
> I'm curious to hear what other people define as computer
> literacy?

"Literacy" to me means the skills necessary to function as
an adult in our society. The original term comes from
literature, but now can be applied to reading, writing,
speaking and participating in a democratic society.

Applying this to "computers" leads to the following
definition:

Having the computer skills necessary to function as an
adult in our society.

I know this doesn't help much, but I believe it's an
important starting point for any discussion of computer
literarcy.

Now, on to the bigger question: what do we expect adults to
be able to do with computers/technology in order to be a
productive member of our society?

AT
Andrew Topper
topperan@pilot.msu.edu
http://www.educ.msu.edu/homepages/topper