Computer fluency is a major goal of school curricula today because a school that ignores computing is at risk of irrelevance. And it allows the student alternative sources of information, reducing research time dramatically. Access to computing has become a given across Canada, says Welsh, who teaches courses in educational technology. Keyboarding skills are now being taught widely from the earliest grades. Basic keyboarding skills are required of children by Grade 6, he says.
Older teachers have to make a conscious choice to acquaint themselves with computing skills.
Teachers can use computers to move students from memorization skills to analytical skills. That is the classroom challenge and opportunity. Today, access to computers often begins in the home. It is therefore becoming a social equity issue, because some families have computers and some don't, and this is often determined by the level of household income. Welsh notes that many universities require students to have computers.