I-L-L-I-T-E-R-A-C-Y

The word is defined as ignorant: uneducated in the fundamentals of a given art or branch of learning; lacking knowledge of a specific field; “she is ignorant of quantum mechanics”; “he is technically illiterate” As taken from WordNet.  There’s also an article in Wikipedia about Functional Illiteracy, and it states..

Functional illiteracy refers to the inability of an individual to use reading, writing, and computational skills efficiently in everyday life situations.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Functional_illiteracy

There is also an entry about Computer literacy and the article states like this..

Computer literacy is the knowledge and ability to use computers and technology efficiently. Computer literacy can also refer to the comfort level someone has with using computer programs and other applications that are associated with computers. Another valuable component of computer literacy is knowing how computers work and operate. As of 2005, having basic computer skills is a significant asset in the developed countries.

Well, I believe that the Philippines is already developed enough for most of its citizens to be literate enough to do some basic computer manipulation. Some even are able to change their Friendster profiles to an extent that some other people can’t follow the style. Hey, everyone has their own style on manipulating their own profiles right? But what about those who use computers to type some assignments, documents or make slideshows? I guess they are also literate enough to do those basic functions on manipulating the computer and I think that people HAVE brains enough to learn from what they are doing.

How Do You Prevent Computer Illiteracy?

The primary factor preventing such functionally computer illiterate users from self-educating may simply be fear (of losing data through doing the “wrong thing”) or lack of motivation; in any case, more technically oriented friends and relatives often find themselves pressed into service as “free tech support” for such users.

Motivation as defined is are the wants, needs and beliefs that drive a character. Everyone who is mentally healthy has to have this almost everytime. They are driven to do work in one way or another.

Illiteracy is one of the things that make a person dumb. Laughing at literate persons makes you dumb. Literate people know when they made a mistake by acknowledging the fact that they made such a mistake – illiterates makes excuses to get by their problem. I guess everyone in school today especially those who are in the college level are literate enough to solve problems and not excuses.

~ by dchen on May 9, 2008.