What are the elements of computer literacy? Theoretical foundations of computer literacy

14.10.2023

A person looking for a job will almost certainly be faced with a requirement from a potential employer such as computer knowledge. It happens that we are talking about a high level of computer skills - programming, three-dimensional modeling, working in accounting programs.

But most often, basic user skills are needed: the ability to check email, type text, make a query in a search engine, enter numbers into a ready-made table. In any case, computer literacy is the first qualifying step on the path to earning money.

Where else is PC knowledge needed?

Looking for a job is not the only reason to master a computer. For many users, this is an opportunity to communicate, sometimes the only one. Mail correspondence, video telephony, social networks, instant messengers simply save people who are forced to stay at home or in the hospital.

The need to express yourself, engage in hobbies, and find admirers and like-minded people on the Internet is easily realized. Introverted and lonely people share their poems, images, videos and realize that their creativity and ideas are interesting and in demand.

Computer literacy is also an opportunity to save time when making an appointment with a doctor or paying:

  • utilities;
  • courses and training programs;
  • products, industrial goods, tickets, etc.

Finally, the Internet provides invaluable access to almost any information. This is a rare opportunity to receive information that is not in the official media, analyze it and draw your own conclusions, not imposed by anyone.

Where to begin

One of the most accessible ways to learn something is to go to the Internet and find the necessary data there. A person who does not have basic computer literacy needs help with this. The easiest way is to ask someone you know. Skills you need to get first:

  • how to turn on (turn off) a computer;
  • how to click the mouse (once or twice);
  • how to open the Internet and use a search engine.

Everything that the mentor showed must be written down in detail. Beginner users, especially those of retirement age, quickly forget this first lesson. Then the person is able to work on his own, making the necessary requests and discovering sites that are useful to him.

If there is no one to help

Without the opportunity to contact your friends or family, you can take computer literacy courses. They are in every city. You can find such courses by following the advertisements:

  • in newspaper advertisements;
  • in a ticker or television commercials.

In 2015, Dmitry Medvedev signed a document according to which a special social program was launched. People who are retired and not working can receive free help with personal computer training. Many cities offer free courses for those who want to master a PC. Computer literacy training for pensioners is funded by the Pension Fund.

To find out if there are such courses in your city, you can contact:

  • to social security authorities;
  • to the branches of the Pension Fund;
  • to the libraries.

People working in these structures do not necessarily have information about training opportunities. But you need to ask - there will always be caring citizens who are ready to make a request from their work computer and help.

What you need to know about your PC

Computer literacy for beginners involves mastering the following skills:


Where to start mastering the Internet


Upward movement

  1. Cleaning your computer. Unnecessary files, like garbage, must be periodically deleted. Otherwise, the system will slow down. The procedure should be carried out at least once a month.
  2. Recovery. The system crashes at times. Before calling an adjuster, you can try to perform the restoration yourself.
  3. Mastering Skype. To expand your communication capabilities, you need to register in the program and configure it.
  4. Using "Torrent". Installing the program gives you access to transfer movies and computer toys to your computer.

When using Torrent, you need to take into account an important thing - computer literacy and computer culture should ideally coincide. We must not forget about ethics and copyright. By downloading a pirated program, the user also distributes it via Torrent (this is how his system is designed), automatically becoming a violator.

There's no limit

Many people, having felt confident in the Internet space, create their own blogs. A person almost always has something to say, and there are people who will find this information useful.

Websites are, as a rule, the evolutionary stage of “growing up” of users that follows the blog. They are made not only for pleasure, but also to make money - at least by advertising.

Computer literacy is always self-development. First, you master and use what others offer, then you create something of your own. The knowledge necessary to work on a PC in an area that is interesting and in demand accumulates and turns the user from a “dummie” into a creator and professional.

Greetings, dear visitors!

Today I want to continue the topic that I started in. This topic is computer literacy.

Computer literacy - why it's important.

1. First of all, you need to have a good understanding of your computer, study its capabilities well, the rules of effective work with a computer, .

This will greatly save your time and nerves in the future.

You can sign up for computer literacy courses in your locality or at some free school, of which there are quite a few on the Internet.

Or you can study computers on your own using books or video courses.


for the best blog


for the best video channel


for the best presentation

This is proof that I went through online school. But let me remind you that I already had experience working with a computer and surfing the Internet.

2. Second thing I would recommend, this is learning to quickly type text on the keyboard.

Even before Internet school, I independently studied this science, which now allows me to type any text fluently.

I think there is no need to explain what advantages this skill provides. Although some people may not know, this is a huge time saver.

I've tried both options. I simply recommend that you take this course.

3. Third thing to learn, these are Internet services, browsers and other intricacies of Internet surfing.

Including, first of all, Internet security.

These, in my opinion, are the three pillars on which success on the Internet will be based or not.

And it doesn’t matter what you do there: study various materials or just spend time.

You can contact me for advice on where to take it and which course is best to study (which author).

Modern society, the market for goods, services and labor are characterized by a rapid pace of change, which is largely caused by the intensive development of ICT. The role of the computer in the life of the average person is rapidly increasing. The computer is used in almost all spheres of public life: in education and medicine, on television and radio, in industry and agriculture, etc., where it turns out to be an effective auxiliary tool. Today, ICT has become the property of small enterprises, shops, institutions, employment offices, and even farms.

With the help of computer systems, documentation is maintained, e-mail and communication with data banks are provided. Computers are used to perform a wide range of production tasks and ensure the smooth operation of various units. Computer networks connect different users located in the same institution or located in different regions of the country, etc.

All this indicates that the most important condition for a full life in the information society and successful professional activity is computer literacy of citizens. This means that any person should have a basic understanding of what a personal computer is, the Windows operating system, be able to work in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), and be able to use the services of the global Internet.

In the field of personal computer (PC), the user must know:

    what is a PC;

    how a PC works;

    where is PC used?

    which computer to buy based on your needs;

    basic PC devices (external and internal);

    units of measurement of information;

    PC care and safety rules;

    basic information about the software;

    methods of installing and removing programs from a PC.

The user must, at a minimum, be able to correctly turn on and off a PC, use a keyboard and mouse, connect external devices to a PC, install and remove programs from a computer, and select a PC that suits his or her tasks.

In the area of ​​the Windows operating system, the user must know:

    what's happenedoperating system (OS);

    how the OS controls a personal computer;

    what operating systems exist; standard Windows programs (Notebook , WordPad , Paint );

    conceptDesktop ;

    Windows window structure;

    what's happenedfiles Andfolders ;

    what's happeneddirectory tree ;

    what's happenedExplorer, Clipboard, programSearch, Windows Help ;

    what's happenedarchives and why they are needed;

    what's happenedcomputer viruses and methods of protection against computer viruses.

The user must be able to manage windows (interact between several windows); launch and use standard programs; use the Windows help system; use the program at work Conductor; master various ways of working with files and folders (create, name, rename, copy, move, delete folders and files, restore deleted ones to the trash); create shortcuts for frequently used files; copy files to a floppy disk or flash card; record on SD; search for folders and files on your PC; create an archive and extract files/folders from the archive, use anti-virus programs (be able to check internal and removable devices for viruses).

In the local network area, the user, based on knowledge (what isthe local network , server , network printer ) should be able to?

    view local network resources,

    organize access to your PC resources on the local network,

    know how to print on a local network.

    In the area of ​​work in the MS Word application, the user must know

    what is MS Word,

    the structure of the Word window and the purpose of the main toolbars, basic rules for entering text;

    methods of creating and working with documents: basic methods of inserting tables, pictures, AutoShapes and WordArt objects, editing images, etc.

Based on this knowledge, the user should be able to:

    create documents using Word;

    decorate documents colorfully using drawings,

    frames, fills, backgrounds, and WordArt objects;

    create and format tables in documents;

    check spelling;

    know how to format a document (working with font, headers, footers, lists, columns);

    print documents.

In the area of ​​​​working in MS Excel, the user must have an idea of ​​​​what MS Excel is, know:

    the structure of the Excel window and the purpose of the main toolbars; spreadsheet structure (columns, rows, cells);

    ways to format and edit cells (adding, deleting, merging, etc.);

    conceptsAutofill , Formula , Autosum , Sorting data , methods of constructing diagrams, etc.

    fill out spreadsheets with arbitrary and homogeneous data; format, add, delete, merge cells;

    make simple calculations using formulas;

    sort data in ascending, descending and alphabetical order;

    build graphs and diagrams based on tables;

    prepare printed documents using Excel.

In the area of ​​working in MS PowerPoint, the user must have an understanding of what MS PowerPoint is, know effective ways to create presentations using templates,

    be able to use the designer and templates in the design of slides when creating a presentation;

    configure animation;

    demonstrate presentations.

In the area of ​​working on the Internet, the user must have an idea of ​​whatInternet and information retrieval portals;

    know the criteria for choosing a provider;

    e-mail, ftp, WWW, IP telephony capabilities;

    browser basicsInternet Explorer ;

    concept “e-government ”;

    types of Internet services;

    methods of making e-payments;

    how email works; what's happeneddistance learning .

    Based on this knowledge, the user should be able to:

    connect to the Internet at home;

    search for the necessary information on Kazakh and foreign resources using various search engines;

    save the received information on your PC;

    use Internet services, chats, forums;

    get a free personal mailing address;

    set up an email system at home,

    create, send and receive emails,

    attach files to emails.

An in-depth analysis of the approaches to defining and interpreting the essence of computer science that have emerged to date leads to the conclusion that one of the most objective is the interpretation of Academician V. M. Glushkov: computer science is an attribute organically inherent in a civilized society, which has as its subject the satisfaction of the information needs of the main spheres of its life activity .

The modern relevance of computer science is directly related to the development of computer technology, telecommunications, and artificial intelligence. In the materials published by the UNESCO Informatics Center on the system of advanced education, computer science is currently defined as a fundamental science in which three main areas are identified:

Theoretical computer science;

Technical Informatics;

Social informatics.

Society at the end of the twentieth century. is often called information, and changes in it are called the information revolution. Thanks to the rapid development of computer technology, what seemed incredible a few years ago is becoming a reality - people from different countries have access to a wide variety of information anywhere on the planet, exchange information with each other and even communicate in real time. It seems that the law of life in our time is becoming the statement of N. Wiener: “To truly live means to live with the correct information.” But to do this, you need to know the rules of navigation through the vast ocean of available information and have a certain culture for selecting the necessary information. The level of information culture of a modern person is determined by many criteria: his ability to formulate his need for information, knowledge of publicly available sources of information and the ability to use them, the ability to effectively search, evaluate, use information and create qualitatively new information. Of course, every person today needs computer literacy and experience in the practical use of computers.

Unfortunately, the level of information culture of most people in our country is low. On the one hand, this is explained by the insufficient implementation of information technologies in all spheres of human life and activity, and on the other hand, by the lack of a system for training literate consumers of information. This problem is of particular concern in relation to young people.

For young people, information technologies open access to information, and therefore knowledge, provide completely new opportunities for acquiring professional knowledge and creativity, and introduce them to the values ​​of world culture. Therefore, the formation of the information culture of the younger generation is a very important task. The school should be the first to resolve this problem. For more than 10 years, a special subject, “Fundamentals of Informatics and Computer Science,” has been taught in schools across the country. Initially, the goals were to teach schoolchildren the basics of computer literacy and programming languages, to use computers to study other disciplines, as well as for professional training in the field of computer technology. It cannot be said that these goals have been fully achieved - a significant part of schools still do not have computers.

Today, in connection with the accelerated processes of informatization of society, the education system sets a new goal - the formation in students of a thinking style that is adequate to the requirements of the modern information society, the education of an information worldview. The essence of education reform is that a huge amount of information becomes available to the learner in databases, knowledge bases, computerized archives, reference books and encyclopedias. Currently, there is practically no access to such “electronic” information in schools.

We live in an age of technical progress and information technology. Computers have long been firmly established in our lives; they surround us everywhere.

Children from the cradle use smartphones, tablets and other gadgets. A small child masters the computer through games, videos, social networks, instant messengers - he uses it mainly for entertainment. But a computer is not only a toy, but also an excellent tool for learning, developing and creating new things. Timely teaching of computer literacy to children will allow the child to turn from a consumer of content into its creator and become an experienced PC user.

Computer literacy includes the ability to work on a computer and other information devices, proficiency in basic office programs, understanding of the main terms of computer science, as well as skills in working with text, creating databases, and independently managing folders and files.

During courses at our school, your child:

  • get acquainted with the computer structure and its functionality;
  • master basic computer terms;
  • learns how cable systems work and will be able to independently set up a local network between two PCs;
  • will gain an understanding of the structure of the Internet and the World Wide Web service;
  • will learn the basics of working with office programs (Microsoft Office package);
  • get acquainted with anti-virus programs and the basics of information security;
  • Learn how to keep your computer secure and keep the data stored on it confidential.

The course “Computer Literacy for Children” is taught by experienced practicing teachers. We recommend it to all coders aged 9 years and older. All information is presented in an easy and accessible form for children: a minimum of theory and a maximum of practice.

Upon completion of the course the child:

  • learn how to independently assemble and configure a computer, as well as solve many problems that arise during its operation;
  • work with office programs, which will definitely be useful to him at school, and later at university and at work;
  • ensure your own security on the Internet.

Students demonstrate their knowledge by solving problems in their own way, explaining algorithms in their own words, helping classmates correct mistakes, and creating presentations on their completed projects.

How do we understand that a student has mastered the program?

During training, we evaluate both the practical side of the issue (how to do it?) and the understanding of the topic (why and why).

Students demonstrate their knowledge by solving problems in their own way, explaining algorithms in their own words, helping classmates correct mistakes, and creating presentations on their completed projects.

The concept of “computer literacy” arose during the years of computerization of education. By the end of the 80s of the 20th century, the content of the concept of computer literacy became systemic and included an understanding of new information technologies, the basic concepts of algorithmization and programming.

In the first works of A.P. Ershov, computer literacy is defined as knowledge of the basics of computer technology and programming languages.

V.A. Kaimin and N.D. Ugrinovich initially included computer skills in the definition of computer literacy, i.e., the ability to “read and write, count and draw, use information and work with computer programs.” This level of computer literacy, plus the ability to “work with databases, fill them with information, search and analyze it, look for errors and find solutions” V.A. Kaimin refers to “an expanded understanding of information culture.”

N.M. Rosenberg characterizes the concept of computer literacy as “the ability to set tasks for computers, to formally describe tasks.” I.A. Negodaev in his book “On the Path to the Information Society” gives a detailed analysis of the essence of the concept of “computer literacy”. The author considers computer literacy as the intellectual capabilities of students to use computer science to obtain, understand, assimilate and memorize knowledge.

Computer literacy training involves more than just the study of information technology, i.e., it is not limited to a purely technical approach. It is important to create conditions for people to develop new, modern ideas about the role of information and information processes in nature, so that they can navigate the vast ocean of information, and help them learn the rules of working with a wide variety of information. The content of computer literacy was formed by the end of the 90s, and, according to G.K. Selevko, included:

  • - knowledge of the basic concepts of computer science and computer technology, the fundamental structure and functionality of computer equipment, modern software shells;
  • - knowledge of any text editor;
  • - having initial experience in using application programs and an initial understanding of algorithms, languages ​​and programming packages.

Despite the fact that the concept of “computer literacy” has been used for more than 30 years and is currently very widespread, it still does not have an exact formulation, a specific and scientifically based definition.

Computer literacy is the ability to solve problems using a computer, the ability to plan actions and anticipate their consequences, understanding the basic ideas of computer science, and an understanding of the role of information technology in society.

Computer literacy is mastery of a minimum set of knowledge and skills in working on a personal computer. Viewed today as a skill as essential as reading and writing.

Computer literacy is a system of skills to work with computers and other devices containing microprocessors. These skills are quite complex and are not completely mechanical, like, for example, the ability to drive a car.

They are more about thinking skills.

Computer literacy is a way of thinking about the features of computers and computer networks and opening up new possibilities.

Computer literacy does not require knowledge of a huge number of facts, but requires the ability to operate with these facts.

There is another definition on the computer literacy assessment system website...

Computer literacy is basic knowledge about the structure of a computer and the capabilities of working with a computer. At various stages of education, “literacy” refers to the ability to read, write and do math.

From this point of view, computer literacy is the ability to read and write, count and draw, search for information and work with programs on a personal computer.

It can be concluded that computer literacy includes knowledge of how, when and where to use a computer. If a person has knowledge of general principles and skills in the practical use of computers in his professional activities, then we can say that he is computer literate. And computer literacy should begin with the correct input of information - from the keyboard into the computer. Theoretical knowledge will not be useful in practice if a person is new to the keyboard.