Technology is being integrated into our lives in ways we never would have expected. It is more important now to familiarize
ourselves with computers. Society  is being forced to become technically literate. Many of our students are being left behind. Is it because it is so complicated that only someone with an electrical or computer background can understand it? Or is it because of the technical jargon used to describe the steps? It is probably the latter of the two. Technology is advancing at such an
alarming rate it is almost impossible to keep up with it. Students need to be technically literate in order to become Academically literate .

To get a good understanding of technical literacy would be a good place to start. For the average person or student, technical
literacy could better be described as computer literacy as to, having knowledge of how to use a computer and use it effectively.

Just about every branch of technology has its own vocabulary, so it is important to read up on the terminology involved.
Everyone wouldn’t have a need to learn what is required to be a computer engineer, since the technology keep advancing.
Mainly our college students need to be taught how to use the Internet, a word processing program and use E-mail. Schools
need to teach some basic skills like typing, how to use the mouse and suggest and implement research projects on the
computer. The library should also have the cataloging system computer based and be on line for finding information quickly.
Schools also need a computer lab so students can use them during free time. These could also be used in a class room situation
for projects and research.

It is very important as collage students to become involved with computers as soon as possible. We will become more
comfortable with the technology that is available to us giving ourselves the ability to grow with the new technology emerging
daily. Steve Gladis states "Lifelong learning is no longer a vague concept but a reality"(Gladis 49) meaning the real secret to
becoming more familiar with technology is to keep using it so one doesn’t get left behind.

One study states that "white students are twice as likely as black and Hispanic students to have a computer at home" (Clinton
7), showing people are being left behind during this age of information. One of the biggest problems with computers and
technology is the ever rising cost to the average consumer and the people in the economic lower classes. Gladis say’s "Share
technical literacy"(Gladis 49) because we don’t want to leave people out or they will fall down the economic ladder. We want
technology to help bring society together not tear us apart. It’s important that we try our best to make sure that our universities
are receiving the proper tools to teach how to use computers to their students because. If the computer can find its way into
every student’s hand, it would increase his or her knowledge not only about English or science but also, about the computer
itself.

Technical literacy will have to be flexible in definition since the technology is always changing. We don’t know what will be
emerging in the future so it will be difficult to prepare what to teach about the use of technology. From the past we can see that
the newly emerging products are some way related or compatible, meaning the new technology could simply be added on. The
schools and universities will have to be constantly updating their computer systems and be instructing the students how to use
them. The schools will have to be flexible and careful how they teach and use the technology so not to scare anyone off.