We live in a fast-moving world where almost everything must come instantly to us. In this computer era, we depend on the computer to help us complete tasks, and to solve problems. Computers are used in various fields like Business, Pharmacy, Entertainment, Education, Engineering, Defense, Transportation, Banking, Cooking etc. as they help to ease certain tasks, provide information faster, and speed up the work. Wherever you go whether it is a mechanic’s shop or a fast food restaurant or a fuel pump, some form of technology and computers are being used. It may be a computerized cash register or the machine that cleans out your engine but it is a computer and everyone needs basic computer skills to function in today’s job market. By computer education, we mean learning how the basic concepts related to a computer, gaining the basic knowledge of computer operation, basic knowledge of Internet & its Applications, the basic concepts behind the use of computers and knowing how some of the elementary computer applications constitute computer education. As computers are widely used today, acquiring computer education is the need of the hour.
The basic computer skills that every person regardless of age should know include common application programs such as MS- Windows, MS-Word, MS-Excel, MS-Power point, Access & Outlook. They should know how to go online, check their email account. The use of email and familiarity with the internet are becoming basic requirements for almost every job. Most jobs are posted online, and how can a person respond to an online advertisement without knowing how an email works? We use this technology to check our bank balance, entertain ourselves, social networking, search any kind of information. With the advent of Internet, we can obtain information, exchange messages, and perform other important tasks. In most places of business, a computer is standard. In the bank they use computers to look up for your account information. They use computers in the auto repair shop to assess your car. You can’t find books in the library by looking in a card catalog you must use a computerized database. Doctors’ utilize computers to store patient information. The point is this, no matter where you find employment, there is a good chance a computer will be a basic tool you will have to use. It is in your best interests to start off and be a computer literate. It will help you get a job and it will help you advance in your career.
Computer literacy does not mean you need to know how use every single piece of software you may encounter. It does not mean you need to know how to write programs or network computers. You just need to know some basics, how to save and open a file, how to use a word processing program, and how to send and receive email for starters. It means having some sort of level of comfort around computers rather than a look of fear and a feeling of foreboding. As computers are used daily, they have gained immense importance in day-to-day life. Their increasing utility has made computer education the need of the day. Computers are not only storage devices and processing units, but also are excellent communication media. They are the means to access the Internet and get connected to the world.
A small minority of people may have managed to avoid computers for the last several years, but even jobs behind a fast food counter are entering the age of computer machinery. I remember taking my first classes in basic computers and I marveled at people who left the class the first day because they were already effortlessly creating error-free and complex Microsoft Word documents. I did not reach that level of comfort around computers until after I was forced to learn more if I wanted a better job and a career. I am still shocked and disappointed when I hear of kids and adults who have very little or no computer skills at all. I’ve met teenagers who could create beautiful complex websites by the age of 15, so how is it possible that some people have stayed in the unplugged dark ages? Hadn’t computers been a standard part of their education? Hadn’t they learned reading, writing, and computing? No… It is still up to each and every one of us to learn why the public school administration haven’t stubbornly provided Computer Literacy.
Computer education helps one manage one’s own business assets and personal finances. Computers serve as efficient means for management of information. Personal financial assets, medical records and important documents can be stored in an electronic format in a computer system. Today, banking transactions and payments of bills can be done over the Internet. Similarly, online shopping is becoming widely popular. To be in the race, it is very important to take computer education.
The word processing applications of a computer serve as an effective means of documentation. The database management software that is a part of computer systems serves as the means of managing large amounts of data. The networking capabilities of a computer facilitate connecting to the Internet to reach out to the world. Gaming applications and media players are some of the popular computer software, which are widely used across the world.
We give lot of priority to our school education then why not to computer education? Computer education is also equally important to build up a strong career. It is a technical knowledge which helps us to choose a good career. In today’s world it is difficult to acquire appropriate job only with regular education, we also need computer knowledge. Today we have lot of computer courses like Accounting, Software courses, Computer Languages, Multimedia courses, Hardware & Networking, Cad, Animation courses etc. And also along with computer knowledge one should also excel in communication skills, body language, eye contact, appropriate attitude, time management, English language, resume or CV writing skills etc. Those with knowledge of computers are considered hirable for many kinds of jobs. As most of the jobs involve the use of computers, computer education is an eligibility criterion for almost all the modern-day jobs. Higher education involving network administration, hardware maintenance or software skills, open doors for brighter job opportunities. Computers, which have such a wide variety of applications, are indeed ruling society. To keep up the pace in this fast life of today, computer education is extremely important. Computers are an integral part of life and so is computer education! At least now let us understand the true need of computer education and support our children, youths as well as all regardless of age to pursue computer education.