Scholarship Essay Computer Classes in Curriculum by Eunice Marpaung Directron 2008-Best Computer Online Store Houston Buy Discount Prices Texas-Directron.com

Computer Classes in Curriculum

Directron Scholarship 2008 Essay No. 40

by Eunice Marpaung
Current School: Senior at Berrien Springs High School in Berrien Springs, Michigan
Intended School: Harvard College
Intended Major: pre-med program with a major in Chemistry and possibly a minor in Music

Computers have truly made its mark in this generation of technology. They can be found in grocery stores, banks, offices, and of course, schools. With computers, the impossible becomes possible. New programs are appearing that will help people save more money, time, resources, and space. As technology advances, the demand for computer skills increases. Unfortunately, not very many people have these skills, especially those that are middle-aged or older, because they were not taught these skills in school. Therefore, it is vital that computer skills be a fundamental part of school curriculum, so students can learn it while they are still early in age. Computer skills are important because they are a major key to be successful in careers, they will help people do their work more efficiently, and will aid students in their schoolwork.

Computers in Life

Computer skills classes will help people do their work more quickly and easily. Life itself is made more convenient through the advancement of technology, but it will only benefit those who know how to make it work for them. An example is the Internet. It is a tremendously huge part of people's lives. Through the Internet, people can talk to millions of people, send them information, post updates on their company's website to promote a new sale, receive the latest news around the world, and so much more. All of this information can be accessed by those who have the knowledge to do so.

Computers will also help the workload at home. There are now new programs that will allow a person to access recipes right on their kitchen counter and display a slide show of pictures on one picture frame. Imagine how fast things can be accomplished! Without computer competency, almost nothing that is done today can be accomplished. This also applies to areas outside of the home. In hardware stores, people can use computers to not only select a paint color for the room, the type of wood for the floor, and how big the windows are, but they can also set it up so they can see what their room will look like on the screen, which makes the home improvement process go by more quickly.

Increase in computer skills will also help people communicate with those outside the state or even overseas. Computer skills classes are necessary to teach students how to navigate around certain software programs, such as language programs for Spanish, French, German, etc. There is a great competition in technology between countries. If students are not taught their basic skills, the technology gap will only increase. Through computer skills classes, teachers are preparing the next generation for the advancement of technology in other countries as well.

People should know at least how to maneuver around Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and how to refine their search on the Internet. Microsoft Word is widely used for writing papers, whether it is at home, work, or school. PowerPoint is used a lot in business presentations. One can also use PowerPoint to make slideshows for weddings, reunions, and graduations, or to show the lyrics for songs at church.

Computers in Careers

Computer skills also help people be more qualified for jobs. Many people now use computers in their career. From careers as technical as secretaries and accountants to careers that are less technical, like furniture builders and interior designers, computers are a significant part of their work. There are many high-tech jobs that are vacant because employers are finding that the people who are applying lack computer competence, which poses a threat for the business because of the company's high use of technology.

Because many careers require a certain level of computer competency, there is a better chance to get hired if one possesses certain computer skills. Not many people posses these skills, so there is an even bigger chance for those who do have computer skills to get the job. Those who have more computer competency will also most likely become promoted to higher positions. In the end, computers determine how successful one will be in his or her career.

Computers in School

Computer skills classes will help students in school. Many students struggle in their schoolwork because they have a hard time researching. They spend a lot of time sifting through the endless unneeded information in search engines. Moreover, they take longer on their assignments because it takes longer for them to type things. Computer skills classes will teach students how to refine their searches on the Internet and also allow students to practice and develop their typing skills.

Before the spread of computers, students had to rely on typewrites to type their papers. If a student forgot to type in a paragraph, or maybe even a sentence, he or she had to type the whole paper again. Erasing was only for little mistakes because it was easy to tell where erase marks were. With computers, a student can easily insert the forgotten paragraph without have to retype the whole paper. Afterwards, he or she can erase that whole paragraph and the presentation of the paper will still be neat. Computers also remind people of their due dates, appointments, and updates in schedules. When data is stored or sent on a computer, it will still exist, even if the machine breaks down.

In addition, now that assignments can be done on computers, there is increased family involvement because work can be taken home. Parents can go on the school's website to see how their children are doing in school. Parents will be glad of their children's ability absorb knowledge not only locally, but internationally as well. Teachers also become both a mentor and a coach. They are mentors in that they are teaching students the subjects in school and coaches in that they can watch their students' progress as they learn and improve on their computer skills.

Another advantage is that students will be more engaged in learning, which will create positive results academically. There can be a great improvement on standardized tests. There are programs that have sample test questions for students to test themselves on before the real test. With higher standardized test scores, students have a better chance of getting into a better school, and in the end, getting a better career. Computers bring so many new possibilities and opportunities for students. Sadly, not many students have those possibilities due to their lack of competency in computer skills.

Basic Skills vs. Technology

There are a few arguments against teaching students computer skills. Some believe that teachers should focus on teaching core skills, such as reading, thinking, and listening. These opponents believe that computers are only a distraction from what should really be taught in schools. Although it is important that students are taught their basic skills, in the age we live in, it is almost equally as important that students are taught their computer skills. Along with an increase in technology, there is also an increase in competition. A person can be an excellent writer, but it will be very difficult for him or her to be successful if he or she does not know how to type on a computer. Other writers who do know how to use the computer can create articles more quickly, thus becoming more successful.

Moreover, contrary to what opponents of computer skills classes say, computers actually engage the students in learning necessary skills. There are now computer games and other programs that will make learning more fun. Many children are easily bored, or some might not have a long attention span. This is why it is important that teachers make learning as interesting as possible, so the transfer of knowledge go as smoothly and successfully as possible. With computers, learning the letters and numbers doesn't have to be a tedious chore. Students can learn new words with illustrations and other guides. Now students can learn as they sing along to music and be praised by the computer for their good work.

Solution to Inappropriate Website Access

Another con might be the potentially dangerous websites that students would have access to. The Internet is a very useful tool for students, whether it is for school, home, or even as a form of entertainment. However, when it is used the wrong way, it can inflict much damage to the student. This can be through addictions, chatting with abductors and criminals, facing the consequences of being lured into meeting them, or being blackmailed because too much private information was released.

The solution to this problem is to install filter and blocking programs. Many websites offer blocking and filtering installments, which does not only block the inappropriate sites, but also warns the user of viruses that could attack the computer. Many schools have blocking installments that block all inappropriate websites. Students who use their computers cannot access any of them. Parents must also play a role in their child's protection and periodically check the children's computer. In the house, the computer should be in a public room, so that the children don't rely on privacy to go on inappropriate sites.

Benefits of Change

Another con is not many people are willing to change, especially those that were not born into the era of technology. Teachers are finding that many of their students know more about computers than they do. Along with the students, teachers must also train, and many do not prefer that. They also think that because students are doing so much work over the computer that they are losing their ability to do basic tasks. Although these are worthy arguments, they are easily refuted by the fact that positives override the negatives. If students know more than their teachers, is that not an accomplishment for the teacher? As for training, teachers should do they can in order to improve learning for their students, even if it means sacrificing their time to train.

Teachers must realize that change is good, especially when it comes to integrating technology in classroom curriculum. There's always a downside to everything, but there are so many more benefits! For instance, teachers don't have to stay up late at night to finish recording grades because now their computer can record grades for them. If a student asks a teacher a question that he or she might not know the answer to, the teacher can look for the information on the Internet with the student. Computers can also give alarms to remind the teacher about due dates, make it simple for teachers to create and print announcements, and allow a teacher to send emails home to students that could not attend class due to a sickness or emergency.

Students will stay awake in class because technology makes learning more engaging and fun. Technology can also help teachers in specific subjects. For example, in biology, if a teacher is explaining a lab experiment, such as dissecting frogs, he or she does not have to hold the frog up to explain the body parts. The teacher can simply pull up the exact anatomy of a frog on the computer and explain it on the screen. A music teacher does not have to draw the notes to teach their students. There is a program that allows him or her to type in the notes, which takes up less time, leaving more time to teach other things. Moreover, teachers don't have to write on blackboards or whiteboards and spend more time cleaning it afterwards. They can explain lessons through PowerPoint and display notes on the wall using a projector so students can see it.

It is inevitable that technology will keep on advancing. Just by looking at how much technology has advanced over the past decade, one can assume that in the next decade there will be even more advanced technology! Instead of struggling against change, we should embrace it and prepare our students for it. If people are not caught up, there will be a huge gap in computer competency, and many people are put at a disadvantage. They will fall behind in school, not be qualified for certain jobs, and can't do things as fast or as efficiently as they would life. Computer skills classes in curriculum will solve all of that. It should be the school's responsibility to make sure that the students are adequately caught up or else they will be behind not only in their schoolwork, but also whey they graduate and live on their own. Along with many other things, it will help people do their work more efficiently, be successful in careers, and do well in school.

Image Sources:

http://www.podcastingforlawyers.com/images/Computers%20around%20the%20world.jpg
http://www.reading.ac.uk/careers/images/casestudy.jpg
http://www.heart-brainconnection.com/images/computer_teacher_04qn.jpg
http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2008/01/03/kids460x276.jpg
http://www.sunderland.gov.uk/public/editable/Themes/childrens-services/images/enjoy-achieve-computer.jpg

References: | Directron.com College Scholarship |

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