Week 4: Computer Literacy

Being able to use a computer is one thing. Being able to understand actions on a computer is a completely different thing all together. As defined in the lecture, “Information Literacy is a transformational process in which the learner needs to find, understand, evaluate, and use information in various forms to create for personal, social or global purposes. (Abilock, 2004).” Information Literacy is vital to everyday computer use. It includes processes such as reading a web address and understanding its components, being able to decide whether content available online is from a legitimate source, and dating Web sites and their history verification.

This link is to a Quiz on Computer Literacy.

This quiz is from a class at the University of Oregon, and I felt it was relevant a it demonstrates all sorts of knowledge about computer literacy. Computer literacy is a very vast concept, and people have to make a conscious effort to become more "computer literate" whether that involves personal research, taking an advanced class, etc. This quiz represents a small fragment of computer literacy needs.

As a Public Relations major, this subject applies to my work very much. Understanding the parts of the computer and Internet which a consumer uses is vital to using it most efficiently. An example would be of Web site verification. For instance, say a press conference was being held by a client, and the PR spokesperson did not verify the source of the information a “press agent” listed at the conference. Not verifying the legitimacy of one’s information is very damaging, especially if you trust that information as a resource useable in your presentations.