The Beneficial Aspects of Computer Proficiency Amongst Students
Over the course of the past two decades, the rapid growth of technology has been astounding. Gizmos and gadgets have evolved into our everyday lives causing us to become completely dependent on it. Technology has also been incredibly beneficial and helpful, changing what was once impossible into incredibly practical. Smart phones allow us to record our favorite television programs from hundreds of miles away. iPod’s can store tens of thousands of songs from our favorite musical groups. For good or for worse, technology is taking on a life of its own and is here to stay.
One of the most highly developed and utilized piece of technology is the computer. Compared to how restricted they once were, computers are now “miracle machines” allowing us to accomplish virtually anything we want. With the advancement of programs, we can make graphic presentations and access unlimited amounts of information with the click of the mouse. Educators have taken advantage of the power of computers resulting in the need of computer literacy and proficiency amongst students. The use of computers and the methods in which they are applied to students grows in every grade. The most advanced methods and the fastest use of computers are found at the college level accounting from the knowledge accumulated by students throughout grade school. At this point in an education, basic knowledge about computers is extremely vital to a student’s success. Requiring students to demonstrate computer proficiency upon high school graduation will not only prove that they are ready for the rigorous work of a college education, it will also justify the massive investment into one area.
The Term Paper on Computers And Technology
Ever since I was a child I have been fascinated by the way things work the way they do. From the simplest of video games, that I played with in the pre-school ages, to todays more advanced computers and computer systems, these have always amazed me. As I look forward to furthering my education, I am interested in learning more about what computers can do for education, Industries and ...
Having taken six different computer courses throughout my middle school and high school career, I feel more than comfortable with the work content at the college level. The courses varied from typing skills to web page development, and even basic computer animation. I was able to explore different interfaces and find many ways in which to receive, send, and transport files. Completing these courses on a satisfactorily level helped me to observe different aspects of the computer which allows me to understand their capabilities even more. These courses have made me more proficient in everyday computer functions allowing me to approach college writing with a tremendous amount of confidence.
The modern college curriculum consists of several high volume writing classes, including classes that have nothing to do with writing. College life in itself tends to be very stressful so fitting major papers into the schedule is difficult. Students heading to college need to be quick typists in order to efficiently and effectively complete writing assignments on time. Spending too much time just getting the words onto paper and not enough on the actual content and quality of the work is not a successful plan. Along with appropriate typing skills, students need to understand how to save, print, and even transfer files effectively. Many professors require hard copies of writing assignments and students don’t want a grade reduction due to avoidable mistakes. In addition, having your own laptop in college has become almost the norm. The access to your own computer makes writing papers virtually hassle free. If high school students can demonstrate computer proficiency before graduation, their general knowledge of the PC will relate to a positive experience when they purchase their own. The student will be able to seek features he or she wants in addition to understanding different components and systems. For those who say that paying for a laptop on top of high tuition costs is out of reach, many universities provide PC grants. Just like financial aid, colleges provide grants to students who qualify. Students should buy through the school because many institutions have deals with computer manufacturers greatly lowering the final cost.
The Development Of A Prevention Dropout For Secondary Student In An Urban High School Setting
The Development of a Prevention Dropout for Secondary Student in an Urban High School Setting According to Noguera and Dimon (2003), the rate of dropout in American urban high schools may be the biggest but least known problem today. Noguera and Dimon estimated that at a great amount of schools 50% and even more of the students who start their ninth grade leave it without graduation. [3]. Many ...
With the progressive development of voice recognition software, users can simply speak into a microphone and the program will type out the text onto a word document. Students may be saying: “Why do I need to show computer proficiency? I can just buy that software and it will type my paper for me. Not only will this save me time, I won’t have to touch the computer once.” The best voice recognition software, according to ConsumerSearch.com, is Dragon NaturallySpeaking 10 Preferred. Not only is it expensive, ranging from $50 used and no less than $150.00 new, it also takes up one gigabyte of hard drive space. In addition, tech support is only free for the first 90 days, meaning there are enough issues with the software that the company feels comfortable giving the user three months of free support. Consumersearch.com also reported that the program works best with Windows office applications. Are students willing to buy an expensive program that not only takes up lots of room and their PC, but could potentially have many issues? What if their computer doesn’t have the recommended specifications? The student now has to go out and buy the appropriate applications and install them on their PC taking up more memory and costing even more money. Speech recognition software seems enticing, but the extra baggage and uncertainty isn’t worth the risk.
A major epidemic in recent years has been plagiarism. Plagiarism is a serious offense which can lead to expulsion but it is completely avoidable. An effective way of preventing plagiarism is understand and using credible databases. Many high school students are taught how to search through trusted databases and properly cite the information. Granted, demonstrating computer proficiency has nothing to do with properly citing information, but many databases automatically cite the information, leaving the student to simply transfer the text correctly. Trusty databases are vital tools for students when searching for information, and are especially important in research papers. If retained properly, students entering college will know how to sufficiently find reliable databases and extract their information in an appropriate manner. Students who demonstrate computer proficiency will not only understand how to access reliable information, they will also greatly deplete their risk of committing major offenses, saving the student uncountable time and money.
The Essay on Austrian School Cost
Our behaviors and decisions in our daily lives are affected by economics. When making decisions, we will use economic theories either consciously or subconscious to decide if we will make or reject that decision. The same can also be used to explain our actions and behaviors when making an economic decision to purchase a house. This paper will evaluate how economics affect one’s decision to ...
Not only for the student’s sake, requiring students to demonstrate computer proficiency will reveal whether or not the amount of money and time schools are putting into technology is effective and worth the cost. Students get tested on math skills they are taught. Students even get tested in gym class. Why not test students about computer knowledge. They are being taught different components of the PC and testing will show how effective the material is being covered. Not only are schools paying for bulk computers and the teachers to teach the material, schools also pay for technicians to install high tech security and fix problems when they arise. For the 1996-1997 school year, the total cost of technology per school district was a staggering $274,000 and was expected to grow by 47% to $407,000 the following year (“Understanding Total Cost”).
Even over fourteen years ago the numbers were incredibly high. Now consider some modern numbers:
Project RED, a research group, is proposing that the federal government implement a 1-to-1 computer to student ratio. In 2007 there were 3.7 million seventh graders in U.S. public schools. If the federal government spent $400 to supply each seventh grader with a mobile computing device, and then did this for every subsequent class of seventh graders, the cost would be about $1.5 billion per year (Pierce).
Considering these projected numbers, there is no way to determine the effectiveness of such an expense. Although this seems to be a smart investment, there needs to be way of assessing the worth of such high costs. By simply requiring students to demonstrate their computer proficiency, the school system and federal government will have a much easier time determining the effectiveness of how their money is being spent.
The Essay on A Quantum Computer… A Future Technology
By the strange laws of quantum mechanics, Folger, a senior editor at Discover, notes, an electron, proton, or other subatomic particle is “in more than one place at a time,” because individual particles behave like waves, these different places are different states that an atom can exist in simultaneously. Ten years ago, Folger writes, David Deutsch, a physicist at Oxford University, argued that ...
Requiring students to demonstrate computer proficiency will have lasting impacts and benefit numerous groups. Coming from someone who has felt the benefits of simple computer knowledge I highly recommend that students seek to take computer programs if offered. Doing so will teach students intangible skills that are invaluable and incredibly helpful. The transition from high school to college isn’t easy but can be surprisingly gratifying if done successfully. The technology age is in full swing; students have an incredible advantage and would be silly not to embrace it.
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