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Computer Literacy for the Adult Learner

If you are an adult thinking of going back to college, or just starting college, it is absolutely essential that you become computer literate. You might wonder why. The reason is that all colleges now require computer-generated papers. You can't turn in a paper written by hand or written on the typewriter.

Also if you are taking math courses or business courses you will have to know such programs as Excel, Access, and other programs. If you are taking Social Science courses such as Psychology, Sociology, and Anthropology you will need the computer for doing statistical calculations and research using such programs as SPSS.

If you are studying any of the writing courses, such as writing screenplays or novels, you will need a good command of MS Word and today there are many computer programs in this area that can be used to help or enhance your writing.

You will be required to give presentations especially if you are doing your Masters or PhD. These require knowledge of the presentation programs such as Power Point and other presentation programs.

You will not only need a computer while in college, but an up-to-date computer, such as a laptop that is Windows Vista.

I was lucky when I went back to college in 1996. The colleges were just beginning to require computer literacy and most members of my class were computer illiterate. So we were offered a four-day free computer class to give us understanding of the computer. With each new program we used we received a one-hour class giving us some instruction on the program.

I got through my first Masters program by using various computers at the college and other college libraries and the public library. I don't think that would be possible today.

I also learned to use the computer as I did my assignments by asking questions of anyone and everyone I came in contact with in libraries and at the college. It wasn't easy. But somehow I got my assignments in and by 1998 when I graduated and started another Master's program I bought a brand new computer, which I used for that program.

Having my own computer and having learned quite a bit by then through trial and error made turning in assignments a breeze compared to turning them in by using a multitude of computers that I barely knew how to use.

So if you are planning a college career as an adult your first step should be to purchase a new computer and become familiar with all aspects of using it. There are often free courses offered

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