Introduction
Advancement
in ICT (Information Communication Technology, has made the world to be viewed
as a global village. Regional economies, societies, and cultures have become
integrated through a global network of communication, transportation, and
trade), the Computers playing a major role, in this integration.
This integration of regions or nations of the world
through this global network has made the world to be like a big village, where
various nations are like clans in this big village, while the Presidents of the
various nations are like heads of clans in this big village.
Therefore as it is any thing that affects one clan
affects the other in this big village. This is what is actually happening in
our world of today. A crisis in the Niger Delta of Nigeria affects the
international price of crude oil, travels, etc.
This joining together of countries in the world
economically, through education, society and politics, and citizens viewing
themselves not only through their national identity but also as part of the
world as a whole is what is Globalization.
Globalization is a process of interaction and
integration among the people, companies, and governments of different nations,
a process driven by a combination of economic, socio-culture, politics,
international trade and investment and aided by ICT (Information Communication
Technology), in which the Internet pays a major role, through the network of
Computers cut across the globe or world
Globalization, has effects on the environment, on culture,
on political systems, on economic development and prosperity, and on human
physical well-being in societies around the world.
In our world today, there are few places a person
can’t get to via telephone or the Internet. Because of modern modes communication,
citizens of a nation are more conscious of the world at large and may be
influenced by other cultures in a variety of ways.
Time and space matter less, and even language barriers
are being overcome as people all over the world communicate through trade,
social Internet forums, various media sources, and a variety of other ways.
As a result of globalization, the world is viewed as
one Big Town or Village called a Global Village. And members of the Global
Village are called Global Community. One major medium which has brought people
of all nations closer together is the Internet. Internet is the networks of
Computers all over the globe, which enable people of the world (Global
Community), communicate with each other. Internet is one part of ICT.
ICT has been major driver of globalization. Advances
in Information Technology, in particular, have dramatically transformed
economic life. Information Technologies have given all sorts of individual
economic actors—consumers, investors, businesses—valuable new tools for
identifying and pursuing economic opportunities, including faster and more
informed analyses of economic trends around the world, easy transfers of
assets, and collaboration with distant partners.
As you are reading this book now, minds are
communicating all over the world through the Internet, to achieve their
desires. Buying and Selling, School Admission and Registration, Airline Travel
Booking, Research of any kind, Banking, Emails, looking for Employment,
Information, etc, are all going on through the Internet.
Being Part of the Global Community
From the
understanding above, no one in this present world, can succeed if he is she is
not a member of the global community. To be a member of the global community,
you must:
1. Be
Computer Literate
2. Learn how
to use the Internet
3. Own a
Personal Computer (Desktop or Laptop)
Computer Literacy
Computer
literacy is defined as the knowledge and ability to use Computers and
technology efficiently. Another valuable component of Computer literacy is
knowing how Computers work and operate. This later component is for advanced
users or operators who may want to be Computer engineers. Knowing and having
the ability to use Computers is mile stone into the global community.
Why Is Computer Literacy Necessary?
There are a
lot of things you will need the Computer for directly or indirectly in this
present age of ours. Either you use it directly or someone is using it on your
behalf. Some reasons why you have to be Computer literate are as listed below:
1. When looking for job, your employers
require that you be Computer literate, as Computer could be a basic tool you
will have to use.
2. In most places of business, Computer is
standard. For example, in the banks Computers are used for banking transactions
and to look up customer’s account information. In some auto repair shop
Computers are used to assess electronic and other faults in cars.
3. In schools Computers are used for
student’s registration and admission, accounting, exams and records. School
libraries are database of books. No more use of library cards.
4. In some Hospitals and Clinics patient
information are stored in Computers. Doctors must know how to retrieve such
information to treat a patient.
6. To send or receive electronic mails you
need to learn how to use the Computer and the Internet or you pay someone to do
it for you.
This list is
endless. It is in your best interests to start learning to use the personal
Computer now. It will help you get a job and it will help you advance in your
career.
Computer
literacy does not mean you need to know how use every single piece of software
you may encounter. It does not mean you need to know how to write programs or
network Computers. You just need to know some basics:
1. How to Start the Computer
2. How to use the OS (Operating System)
running in your Computer, Windows, Mac or Linux.
3. How to open Application Software such as
Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Create, Save and Open Files.
4. How to Exit or Close an Application
Software and open another.
5. How to properly shutdown the Computer
after usage.
6. How to use the Internet to Browse the
Internet, send and receive email.
7. How to listen to Music and play Video in
your Computer.
8. How to handle your PC (Personal
Computer).
When you
learn how to use the computer, you will have some sort spot for it in your
mind, when you come to appreciate how easy it is to use the computer and how
useful it is. Then the fear that it is impossible or difficult to learn how to
use the computer would have been a thing of the past.
I remember
when I was teaching a very good friend of mine how to use the Microsoft Word
and the Mouse. It did not come so easy. But because she had made up her mind to
learn, it did not take time for her to start using the tools. One day I went to
her office to see her, just to find out that the typewriter she so much loved
was under the table. Then I ask her how is the mouse doing? And she smiled. Her
masters programme was on Computer Networking. This is the joy of learning how to
use the PC.
How do you Become Computer Literate?
To become
Computer Literate, you have to attend a Computer Training School. There are all
over the place. In such schools, Basic Computer courses are offered. They are
usually reasonably priced, and you can workout time to learn them. There are
free online courses in the Internet, if you don want to attend any school. You
can learn from a cyber café, but some body must have to teach you. Some Cyber
Café offer computer courses. Three free computer courses online sites are:
3.
http://www.freetech4teachers.com
At this
point in time you don’t have to own a Computer. After finishing your course,
you would have made up your mind as to what you want to do with a PC. This will
guide you towards the type of PC to own.
Learn How to Use the Internet
To be a
member of the global community, you must, you must know how to use the
internet. If you can imagine the information you can find virtually from any
facet of life in the Internet, you will appreciate what humans are doing to
make life and the world an easy place to live in. You must learn and know how
to use the Internet to be relevant in this 21st Century. There is no age
barrier to becoming a computer literate. Interest is the watch word. It is good
to learn from a Computer Training School, how to use the Internet. When you
have grabed the basics, then you can visit these free sites below for further
lessons:
Own a Personal Computer (Desktop or
Laptop)
This book is
on how you can buy the best computer of you need. After you have learnt how to
use the computer and Internet, it is time to own one. Your decision to own a PC
depends on what you want top do with it, which this book has discussed
exhaustively.
Isaac
Aikoroje
CEO AIKOSYSTEMS
