Computer skills key to 21st century literacy.

With the proliferation of technology in the workplace, computer literacy is basic to getting a job today. The ability to use a computer keyboard, access the Internet, and complete online forms is as essential in the work force today as the ability to read and write. The computer is as fundamental today as pencils and paper.

Three R's In the Information Age

Adult Literacy Service, an agency of United Way, defines functional illiteracy as the "inability of an individual to use reading, speaking, writing and computational skills in everyday life situations. In short, when confronted with printed materials, adults without basic literacy skills cannot function effectively." Illiterate adults are unable to fill out an employment application or follow written instructions required to perform basic job skills to gain meaningful employment.

In the Information Age, illiteracy takes on new meaning with online employment applications and the use of technology that is now commonplace in jobs ranging from manufacturing to wine production. Today, to paraphrase the ALS' definition above, individuals without basic computer literacy skills cannot function effectively. It is clear we not only need to ensure that students learn to read and write in today's world, we also need to be sure they learn basic desktop skills to get a job.

Internet Savvy, Technology Savvy

Judy West, a Dallas-based author, consultant and cyber-recruiting expert, indicated in a recent bCentral article by Monte Enbysk that workers who lack Internet and technology savvy are "the equivalent of the immigrants coming to the New York harbor for the first time. The immigrants who made the investment to learn how to speak, read and write English fluently got the higher-paying jobs. Those who learned only to speak it got medium- to low-paying jobs, and those who didn't learn English at all got manual labor, ditch-digging and other low-paying jobs."

Addressing computer illiteracy by gaining computer skills can not only help one get a job, but also get a better job as technical skills are enhanced.

Basic Skills in Schools

Most schools are attempting to integrate computer skills into the classroom today and John Bailey, director of the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Instructional Technology, indicated that technology will be essential to implementing the requirements of President Bush's No Child Left Behind Act. The job ahead is determining which skills are important for student success--and for the work force--and how to assess them.

At a minimum, students should be able to use the Internet for research and be proficient on desktop applications for word processing. Increasing skill levels with spreadsheet, database, and presentation applications are further enhancements that can help one get a higher-paying job. Extending technology knowledge further through networking, developer and programming skills will advance students into even more lucrative jobs as technology professionals.

Whatever the student interest level, it is critical that computer skills be introduced early in the education process, to improve student success in school, as well as to give students a boost on career development and opportunity.

As computer usage becomes more integrated into our way of living, playing and working, these skills will become increasingly important in the ability to complete school work.

The Real Digital Divide

Paperless campuses are nearly here, with the pilot of Des Moines Area Community College's West Des Moines campus. A Wired news article says the campus planned to open this fall with no library and no books, and anticipated more than half the campus would be totally paperless--further predicting that the entire campus would be fully paperless in one year.

What this means is that access to computers and to computer skills affect one's ability to perform as a student and on the job. It is one concern if people lack access to a computer at school or home. It is another thing entirely if they lack the skills to use the machines.

The Knowledge Web by Merrill Lynch, published in May 2000, reported "nearly every school in the U.S. today has some form of Internet access, and student accessibility through classroom access is growing rapidly," with a forecast of 90 percent of classrooms and 100 percent of schools expected to be Internet-capable by 2003, and with student-to-PC ratios improving.

But connectivity and PC/student ratio don't tell the story if the PCs are gathering dust and teachers aren't trained to use them in instruction. Having computers in the classroom means nothing without the skills to use them.

Computer literacy is a global concern with enormous economic and employment impacts. Countries, industries and schools are finding ways to address the digital skills divide:

* In June, the leading United Kingdom awarding body, OCR, and Microsoft incorporated the Microsoft Office Specialist within OCR's IT qualification for their Computer Literacy and Information Technology (CLAIT) certificate.

* The 2003 AACC China-US Conference for Community Colleges and the 7th China-US Conference on Education, scheduled for June 24-27, 2003, will focus on the digital divide, economic and work-force development, distance learning, faculty training, and technology.

To address this concern, a growing number of schools and universities are including basic desktop training in student course work and requiring Microsoft Office Specialist (formerly Microsoft Office User Specialist) certification. Administrators value the certification as proof of what employees can do, with performance at the best possible levels it can be.

Double Credentials

In a competitive employment environment, applicants often are hired on the strength of a resume and an interview. While education and degrees are ports of entry, an assessment of ability to perform on the job is equally important today.

In fact, a 2002 ITAA study titled "Bouncing Back" reports that previous experience in a job is the single most important credential for employment.

Getting work experience is always a challenge for entry-level workers in any field, and while it can't take the place of on-the-job experience, certification does prove competency at a standardized skill level. It also distinguishes the holder from other applicants for the job.

Alphabet Soup

Especially for technology professionals, credentials represented by acronyms such as MCSE or CCNA are very familiar. A new developer certification, the Microsoft Certified Application Developer (MCAD), is now added to that mix.

Again, the value of such credentials often is debated as measured against a degree or work experience. It is arguable that one would benefit from the sum of all three, with the degree showing the necessary analytical and theoretical background, the certification showing the technical understanding of the vendor tools, and the hands-on experience showing the ability to apply learned skills in the critical work environment.

In a September article in Certification Magazine, the National Workforce Center for Emerging Technologies based at Bellevue Community College in Bellevue, Wash., reports that "Both academic degrees and professional certifications verify a set of knowledge and skills. Together they may combine to create a more complete picture of an IT professional, verifying relevant skills and identifying who is likely to be successful in today's IT job market."

The MCAD, for instance, shows that the holder is competent on the Microsoft.NET platform and the use of XML-based applications. With the ability to show specific levels of skill, why quibble about adding some crackers to the alphabet soup?

Programs and Certifications

Understanding the importance of computer literacy in academia and in the work force, Microsoft has a mission of assisting schools in providing students with the skills they will need to reach their potential. Road maps to computer skills, career development, certification and degrees are offered through the Microsoft IT Academy Program that launched last year in North America.

Diana Carew
WorldWide Workforce
Development and
Community College Relations
Microsoft Corp.