What is Computer Literacy
In Poly's Computer Science Department, "computer literacy" can mean
three somewhat different things: literacy with a computer, a
university graduation requirement, or a group of the department's
courses.
- Because computers and their applications are so diverse and
changing so rapidly, no one is completely computer
literate. However, the term "computer literacy" usually refers to
basic skills of use to students in any field, as opposed to those
needed only by computer professionals. You can increase your
computer literacy in many ways: just sitting down at a computer and
trying things, perhaps with a skilled friend or a good how-to book
at your side; taking non-credit workshops offered on campus by
Information Technology Services, the Library, or the College of
Business; or taking a for-credit course offered by this or other
departments on campus. You may see references to the term
"information competency": This means about the same thing as
"computer literacy", but with more of an emphasis on skills of
interest to librarians, such as how to find and evaluate information
on the Web.
- Students graduating under the General Education requirements in
the 2000-2001 or earlier catalogs must fulfill an "Area F -
Technology" requirement which most students complete by earning
credit for an approved "Computer Literacy" course. Many of these
courses are designed for students in specific majors and are not
"computer literacy" courses in the popular sense. For a discussion
of how to use credit by examination to fulfill the Area F - Computer
Literacy requirement of an old catalog, and what courses on campus
are regarded as equivalent to courses on the approved Area F list,
click on "Course Challenge" at the bottom of this page.
- The Computer Science Department offers nine different courses
that can be taken by students as their first college course about
computers. Some are "computer literacy" in the popular sense, some
are not, and some are in-between. For a discussion of which course
may be right for you, click on "Which CSC course should I take?" at
the bottom of this page.
