Technological Literacy

Selfe claims that students going through the education system in this century must know how to use computers in a multitude of every day situations. I couldn’t agree more. After the turn of the twenty-first century, computers started to become an absolute necessity to succeed in the world. In his presidency, Bill Clinton attempted to kick-start a program to prepare students for the future. However, American schools have fallen short of fully equipping their students for life.

Although technology in the classroom has made several advances over the past decade, it still remains unequal. Selfe points out that schools with a primarily white population with middle to upper class families tend to have more access to computers and internet than a school with a colored population and lower class families. If that is the case, then isn’t some sort of segregation still looming over our heads? Separate but equal has been tossed out the window over fifty years ago, but the government still can’t afford to offer the same technologies for different types of schools across the board.

Another interesting point is the parent’s ability to provide the necessary tools for their children. Parents who are financially unable to provide internet and computers for their children are giving them a disadvantage. Most any job nowadays requires some type of computer skill. If a student does not have access to learn these skills, then they will be behind when they start looking for a job. Even in the college classroom, more professors are turning to solely depending on computers.

Even five years ago when I was a freshman in high school, the use of cell phones in the classroom was absolutely prohibited. Now, computers are basically pocket-sized computers, and teachers are encouraging the use of them. What about those students who don’t own the latest technology? Unfortunately, they get left in the dust. It is not impossible for them to succeed, it will just be more of a challenge. On the flip side, some teachers are not utilizing any technology-based skills at all. They are stuck in their traditional ways of paper and pencil and refuse to adopt to modern times. These teachers are severely hurting their students chances of advancing in society. It is impossible to not encounter technology in higher education and in the job field. The earlier students are exposed to these new skills, the more expertise they will have when their skills are put to the test.

Computer literacy, however, is increasing in the classroom and in the home. Although not every student is guaranteed the exact same opportunities, there is more overall access to these tools then there had been ten years ago. More and more young kids are being exposed to technology at an earlier age in the hopes that they will be more successful than their peers. The NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) promotes the use of technology with children as young as three years old! But, it’s the necessary action to make sure children are prepared for this technology-crazed world that they will be influenced by.