Computer skills for children are becoming more and more integral to their wider education. There are so many opportunities in the technological world to enhance their learning and, as educators, it should be embraced with open arms. This article focuses on six key, basic computer skills that every child should know.
Coding
Coding is an instructional set of functions for PC (and other) devices. With knowledge of coding, you can create websites, games/apps, and software as well. There are lots of future job opportunities that require coding skills but the actual process of learning to code reaches far and wide with regard to a bigger, more varied skill set; for example, detailed thinking, structure, organization, collaboration, and task focus.
How to Touch-Type
Touch typing is a common thing, but not everyone can do it. Given that the majority use computers or laptops in an educational setting, or at home/in the office in a work environment, touch typing can only be useful to know. For some good examples to enable your child’s typing skills as opposed to hindering them, check out this range from Lenovo. Fast typers are less hindered in their learning and can even boost language skills and cognizance.
How to Research
Internet searches are slowly but surely replacing book searches when it comes to finding out things about specific topics. It is faster, easier to get niche results, and requires less time as well. But learning how to research properly is a fundamental skill to enhance the process. It has benefits including, but not exclusive to, making learning fun and exciting, raising engagement levels, a more precise learning output, and key inferences that can be applied generally across a range of life activities.
Basic Safety Awareness
Unfortunately, as with every arena, the internet is full of crimes known as cybercrime. These types of activities are harmful to anyone who falls victim to them. Just like when they go outside, it’s important to give children the savvy to understand how to avoid such activity and keep their personal information (and yours) safe from harm.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Computers are fast becoming, if not already, a part of our daily lives. They keep social systems running and they are integrated into a wide range of workplaces and educational settings. So with such an essential and well-used component, it should also be common knowledge how to fix and maintain common problems — things like how to deal with software crashes, freeing up disk space, and virus attacks. This is basic-level information that keeps a PC running smoothly.
Basic Maintenance
Any PC user needs to also be able to spring clean their device, organize it and keep it running freely. This is through things such as file maintenance and organization and creating folders.
There are many benefits for children in learning how to maintain and use computers. The skills listed above are must-haves for anyone using a PC or laptop device but are absorbed and integrated much easier and faster when taught at a young age.