Why computer literacy is an essential skill

It is a well-documented reality that as humans we are hardwired to resist change. You’ll be surprised to know that this is actually biologically based.

There’s a part of our brain called amygdala that interprets change as threat and subsequently releases hormones for fear, fight, or flight. This is why for us the pain of a possible loss is always greater than the power of a probable gain. Having said that, the ultimate truth of life is that the only thing that remains constant in this world is that we are in the presence of consistent evolution. While Darwin’s evolution took millions of years to materialise, evolution in the technical world is exponentially more fast paced. In just a couple of decades computers have evolved from extremely bulky devices with rudimentary functionalities to being the backbone of every single industry.

There is no denying that computers have made our lives exponentially easier. However, what is challenging, is the steep learning curve to make the most of this ever-evolving interface. But since the dependency on these devices is only going to increase, the ideal time to acquire computer literacy is right now. The more time you spend procrastinating, the more opportunities in the workplace are closing their doors for you.

Most of the time the bottleneck of this journey is not the lack of intent but the lack of proper guidance. We understand that the multiplicity of sources of education might feel overwhelming, so we have taken the liberty to simplify this journey for you.

We urge you to peruse this blog post to understand the very first steps you need to take in order to start your journey towards computer literacy.

Conquer the fear! 

Learning is your responsibility, no one else’s. It is understandable to fear the unknown and be hesitant to get started. However, it is essential to start somewhere. You cannot be rigid and sit on your hands with the mentality of ‘this is who I am’ and never learn or improve your computer skills at this age. Almost every job now requires a basic understanding of computers, be it accounting, sales or any other job profile. So, if you are looking to get into any sector, having computer skills is absolutely a necessity. The best thing you can do, is to start somewhere, take the first step however small it may be, and get familiar with computer skills. The first step is always the toughest to take, but the journey surely gets easier ahead!

Start with basics 

You don’t have to go big, rather taking little steps, all the way is a more fruitful strategy. Getting familiar with and knowing the basics of how your personal computer works is a good start. Understanding and gaining the rudimentary knowledge of how technology works and its subsequent functions are what will make the foundation of your computer skills. Familiarise yourself with the operating system (Mac, Windows, or Linux) you have to get more comfortable with your computer’s working environment.

Make Google search your best friend. 

Google is a pool of information, but perhaps it is right to assume that it is being underutilized. It is easy to write a bunch of jargon and search for what you need but the smarter way to go about it is to know how to search. Search allows you to understand things better, find solutions to novel problems, and gather information about any possible subject. So, understanding how to search efficiently saves time and also facilitates your computer skills enabling you to find solutions easily when you are stuck on something. There are a bunch of tricks that will come in handy and make your endeavor less time consuming:

Using quotation marks 

If you are searching for something specific, it’s wiser to use quotation marks for your required phrase/word as it narrows down the search radar. Without the quotes, the search engine will provide you with links that contain those words irrespective of their order.

Using the maximum number of keywords 

Generally, we type the words in the search engine in the same way as we speak them. Replacing these with a more professional language would enable more reliable and quicker results.

Using asterisks and quotes 

By putting phrases you are unsure about in asterisks, the search engine will find its replacements keeping the complete line intact. It’s beneficial to find lyrics or idioms/ forms of an expression.

Explore blogs, online courses, and tutorials. 

This is where you might need basic computer skills to navigate and find the necessary informative videos. Before diving headfirst into the pool of information out there, explore what you want and need to learn first. Narrow down a topic and find relevant blogs, tutorials, or courses. It is easy to feel overwhelmed if you try to do and learn everything at once without a to-do list.

Online tutorials and blogs do not cost a penny. So it is a plus-plus, you learn new things via tutorials and also practice your online search and other computer skills. If you want a detailed structured program to learn some specific skill or a group of skills you can also explore paid courses. It is a quick way to learn or improve computer skills online and you can also get certified by professionals. Although we recommend you do your research before committing yourself to a paid course.

Practice does make you perfect. 

Improving your computer skills, or any other skill for that matter, is like driving a car- the more you do it, the better you get at it. Doing things on your own, experimenting, and exploring is going to put you more at ease with technology all the while making you better at it. The only way to become proficient is to put your learning to use. You don’t necessarily have to work professionally to utilise your skills, there is ample opportunity to do that at home as well.

You can organise your calendar or budget by using your MS Excel knowledge. If you are a person who makes notes with learning, do them online, you don’t even have to type, you may as well dictate your whole paragraphs. Once you feel you have got a little grip, market your new skills – volunteer at a church, an NGO or library to document or create an inventory. The whole idea is to get comfortable with working on computers.

Reach out and seek support. 

You aren’t alone despite whatever your internal turmoil tells you. Resources are present everywhere. Your friends, colleagues, family, and library! One is never too old to learn new things, so discard the thought that people are going to think any less of you. Your nearest library is a room full of knowledge; you can always start there.

Enhancing your skills will not only provide you with an opportunity for career growth but also increase your network. If you are just getting started with technology, remember that you can also seek support with basic computer skills to guide you further. So what are you waiting for – explore the wide range of courses available online and zero down on the one that you believe will give you that cutting edge over competition.