Digerati: Assessment of Students’ Computer Literacy

In this rapidly changing technological environment, being computer literate gives the learner an opportunity to excel.The term computer literacy has been used by Reynolds, Vannest, & Janzen (2014) to refer to being knowledgeable about the capabilities of hardware and software and understanding how computers and the internet can enhance a student's educational experiences.Dincer (2016) defined computer literacy as an individual's level of knowledge and skill in using computers and technologies to achieve their goals.However, the purposes for which a computer is used may differ from every individual.Having proficiency in computers means having thorough knowledge of how to handle them to get the work done.It is hard to imagine a student entering college today without basic computer skills.On top of that, literacy in computer is considered a very important skill to possess in this day and age.Most employers prefer applicants who have computer skills.With these in mind, the researcher has assessed the students' computer literacy in Surigao del Sur State University (SDSSU) -Cantilan Campus to investigate the positive experiences of the informants in enhancing their academic performance through computer.In some studies, computer literacy is included in information and communications technology (ICT) literacy together with information literacy and internet literacy.These 3 forms of literacy are absolutely vital throughout many aspects of human life in the 21 st century (Lau and Yuen, 2014;Aesaert et al., 2014 as cited in Santos et al. 2019).In general, the term computer literacy has been applied to a broader range of technologies of ICT literacy, but the terms overlap significantly and are frequently used interchangeably.Wilson, Scalise, & Gochyyev (2015) introduced ICT literacy as a 21 st century skill, which encompasses a wide range of subtopics, including learning in networks, information literacy, digital competence and technological awareness, all of which contribute to learning to learn through the development of enabling skills.In the current global economy, learning through digital networks, and the use of digital media, is becoming increasingly important in private life, in learning, and in professional life.The study predicted that such aspects of learning would become even more important in the future, and this was seen as true at the individual, local or regional, and international levels.Ainley, Fraillon, Schulz, & Gebhardt (2016) pointed out that many countries, having recognized the absolute necessity of digital technology, ascertain the need to educate young people in the use of these technologies in order to underpin economic and social benefits.Although ICT has been widely made available in many countries, the actual use of ICT depends on the contexts and cultures, in which it takes place, and the specific purposes it is used for (Vicente and López, 2006, Chinn and Fairlie, 2010, and Rohatgi and Throndsen, 2015, as cited in Scherer, 2017).One of the principal reasons for adopting computer skills is its competency in the use of information technology is an integral part of learners' computer proficiency.The concept of computer literacy, according to Bawden (2001, 2008, as cited in Santos et al. 2019), can be understood as a set of necessary operational powers for handling a wide range of software applications, including word processors, spreadsheets, databases, etc., as well as the knowledge of some generic skills such as copying files or configuring a printer driver.Santos et al. (2019) mentioned the importance of not only understanding new technologies, but also mastering them and recognizing that they are constantly changing.To grasp the full scope of this field, it is necessary to believe that ICT are capable of not only performing skillfully the most diverse