Reading this article not only reminded me that computers existed long before me but that I also had the privilege of computer literacy at an incredibly early age. You never think about how computers were once something that only the government or rich folk used and how prevalent computers are now. Like Melissa Pearson and Brittney Moraski, two narratives from the article, my literacy teachings were founded by my family. My mother and grandmother, both highly avid readers and crossword solvers stressed the importance of feeding my appetite to learn and read. Both working women, I now understand it was a way for me to pass the time in a productive and immersive way.
Melissa mentioned she never actually learned to use a computer until she was hired for a role that required it in the 90s. Her ability to teach herself is something to be admired as I simply learned by clicking around and trial and error (I’m not a manual-reading girl myself). By 2000, Melissa had acclimated quite nicely to computer literacy as she became a Web author at the University of Illinois, she went from no real contact with computers to teaching about its programs at an accredited University – amazing!
Like Brittney, I acquainted myself with the early internet as soon as it became available to me, by way of a CD-ROM and a telephone line – also known as AOL. When “take your child to work day” was still a thing, I passed my time in my mom’s office typing on the computer. I remember her and her co-workers being so amazed by my ability to write out the complete lyrics to an Xscape song called “Who Can I Run To.” I watched my mom bring home a work laptop most weekends, so my abilities were inherited and encouraged.
When you think about computers today, you never think about imagining a time when they did not exist. I had my very first in-home desktop computer when I was nine years old. I know more about life with access to computers than without. Going to computer class in my Catholic elementary school and learning how to type (Thanks, Mavis Beacon) was a normal part of my life. By fourth grade, I was doing research papers for class via internet encyclopedias. Computer literacy opened many doors for me. I’ve been able to excel (no pun intended) at a young age very quickly, especially in the workforce. This literacy helped tremendously with providing financially where most my age could not even picture. However, I lean more on the side of pen and paper, book in-hand to truly retaininformation. Although I am a child of the computer, it has its place, and it has its time. I can appreciate educators adjusting to this modern world, but I respect the teachers that do not.
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