why are computer skills increasingly important?
144140
Because computers are so prevalent in everything today. The more knowledge you have about the workings of a computer, ultimately the more ability you will have to perform a job, any job really. \nI think it may also be because many companies are needing to replace older employees because they are retiring or because they have not kept up with the growing technology boom, and they're looking for someone with more competency and with better ideas of how to run things more efficiently.
183353
Yes, mankind has become far too dependent on technology, if we lost all of our technology tomorrow, I am convinced that only myself and few friends I know have the skills to survive without what we take for granted today. For me, computers are fun, like this answering stuff, but I sure don't base my life on it...its a dangerously fragile world we live in. Mankind survived far longer without all of the crap we have today, but most of have lost the basic survival skills that used to come naturally to us.
647928
There are so many things we should be doing instead of sitting in front of a computer... I wonder why we love that so much. It's like we're truingto escape from what we are supposed to do.
770120
Most people can't fix their own computers. Mastering this skill can save you a crapload of money and can also earn you a crapload of money. Think about it.
126317
Yes. But sometimes it's a long road back to where you should really be. Knowing where to contribute, who to contribute to and who to follow is the key. Plus, your talents have to be maximized by having quality people around you that you can follow. Even leaders need good role models. America has the best. Especially, at the local level. Of course, that is a lesson that it takes maturity to teach us and experience to guide us to. \n     You're right, I would ban computers from Elementary schools as well and limit their use at home especially for young children who have much to learn but learn it faster than the adult inner child.
73052
With all due respect there are WAY too many computer school out there. \nNo wonder why the Information Technology field is overwhelmed, it is because of many NON-accerdited computer school that push out students into the work force with no help in getting into the field other than sending out resumes which the student can do him/herself.
485479
I think it has opened so many doors to increasing knowledge for all students.   In our Districts they are teaching students math on the computers.  Remember students have to know how to program them to get the correct answers.   So the computer is not really doing their work.  It does help teachers to be able to access them better.  Plus students can work at their own pacing plan  which allows them to go as fast or as slow as they can.  Additionally we live in the age of electronics.   Our children can have global communication as opposed to when we were in school.  I'd like to see more computers in the classrooms because right now the kids have to share,,,,
124231
They are important for two different reasons:\n\n1-they potentiate our capabilities, allowing us to process huge amounts of information in a short time and in a better way.\n\n2-they are also important because they spoil lives (think of adult and child pornography on the internet, obscene pictures and movies, obscene chats, etc.)\n\nAs any other tool, computers can be used for good or for evil. That is our election...
294345
Computers are taking over the word now so the sooner a child is exposed to one the better.
783764
A computer science degree is important and useful, but not essential. Most important are good analytical skills and and an understanding of the problems that business people face, otherwise known as the problem domain.\n\nChoose an area of business usage, such as forms processing, on-line access, search and retrieval, or information handling in a specific industry such as government, banking or insurance, and you will be in great demand. Most people over generalize their skills and don't excel at anything. By knowing a business persons problem and understanding how software and computers can solve that problem, you are almost unique.
41009
Computer is a part of technology in general. Technology speeds up the learning process most successfully.
36121
money wise.... probably knowledge in Linux, networking especially, since most industries are now switching to Linux, and people who an set it up, are few and far between.\nprogramming. will always be a need for programmers.\n\nfun wise. building them, id say. get to build dream machines, at someone elses expense :)
125301
some basic computer usage skills for browsing should suffice apart from your primary skillset
1020201
As regards future usefulness it is hard to beat Computing.\n\nBest of luck !
251163
Computers let us speed up our calculations first.  Then, some very samrt people found the way to make computers help organizing, comunicating and sharing information.  In today´s world, computers are the most essential component of any organization intended to run something bigger than a house.  They are everywhere and we have become dependent on them.
714870
This is one of the overstated things - depends greatly on whether you want to be a coder, analyst, tester, theoretical scientist or whatever:\n- discrete mathematics, proofs, logical reasoning, induction, set theory, graph theory are pretty important to most algorithms\n- calculus, algebra, geometry and even less relevant domains etc. are *not* particularly directly important except in general insofar as they build necessary theoretical rigor as above, depending on how much you need\n\nThere are many different schools of thought on teaching and learning computer science concepts, and they can all be simultaneously right, depending on what level you're talking about.
272694
Before I answer let me say that I work in the computer industry, so I'm no luddite when it comes to computers.\n\nThat being said, I personally believe that computers have *no* importance to students in terms of learning at least until high school, and even then their usefulness is limited.\n\nElementary and middle school should be about learning the basics.  How to add, subtract, multiply, and divide.  How to read.  How to write.  How to take notes.  How to look up information.  How to discern good information from bad.  And so on.\n\nI believe that computers hinder that learning rather than help it.  Computers do all of the work so that a student has only to do a web search and his research is complete.  Punch numbers into a calculator and his math homework is done.  Type a stream of consciousness into Word and his English paper is done with proper spelling and grammar fully checked.\n\nI believe that computers shouldn't be used in teaching until high school where they would be used to teach programming, logic, and basic problem solving.