I consider myself
literate in a number of different areas, but perhaps the handiest for me would
be the use of computers. The word “use” is purposeful because I am not an
expert; I have never taken computer classes, I have almost no experience
programming, I can’t write html from scratch, and I do not know the intricacies
behind networking. I am, however, well-versed in computer hardware and a number
of useful programs from Excel to Photoshop.
Obviously, I was not born with any computer skills, but
unlike many young people I did not grow up with computers. I did not have a
computer at home until I was in high school. Perhaps this was not very unusual
in 2001, but most people I know with more than a layman’s knowledge of
computers became familiar with them earlier than I did. My parents ordered the
computer with the intent of it becoming a family computer, but it was not long
before it became my computer. I mostly used it to play games, but anyone who
uses a computer for gaming will begin to encounter problems and have to learn
from them.
I learned about hardware by working through problems and
trying to keep pace advances in gaming graphics. The first issue I encountered
was my computer’s poor performance with some games. I learned from my friend
Mike and his cousin Gabe that I needed more RAM. Eventually I upgraded the RAM
and GPU. Later I discovered just how clogged up with dust a heatsink can
become. Mike and Gabe helped me learn the basics while I was in high school. Years
later, after I had bought my second computer, I became friends with Juan. He works
in networking in Philadelphia and has been my best resource for computer
advice. Juan was of particular help with that second computer as it was
extremely problematic. It had problems with the GPU, sound card, RAM, and
eventually I decided the motherboard was malfunctioning. This was the last straw
and I had to get a new computer. Juan helped me pick out parts so I could build
a new one for myself. Building a computer is not especially complicated, but I
was a little concerned because it was expensive (but significantly less than a
pre-built machine) and I had never done it before. Except for a couple mistakes
I made initially, the build went well and the computer had worked flawlessly
for four years until the GPU failed last month. It was almost as if it was
telling me I needed to upgrade.
Since I spend a lot of time on my computer, throughout
the years I have become familiar with a lot of useful programs. Very early on I
discovered a program called RM2K which allowed me to make a Beowulf game for a high school project. RM2K
made creating early 90’s style role playing games easy once I had gone through
a lot of trial and error. Along the way I learned some fundamentals of
programming. Later I became interested in digital art, bought a Wacom drawing
tablet, and started learning Photoshop on my own with online tutorials. I
experimented with Adobe’s GoLive and Flash software and learned a little about
html and Flash. At some point, I decided I needed to learn how to edit video and
learned how to use Sony Vegas. When the use of spreadsheets became popular for
displaying data for online games, I learned how to use Excel with online
tutorials.
There are a lot more programs I have familiarized myself
with and, despite being out of practice with some or unfamiliar with new
versions, my collective experience using them has made me better equipped to learn
new programs. This is where the strength of my computer literacy lies.
Similarities between programs are frequent, and the experience I have with a variety
of programs gives me an intuitive ability others do not possess. The same could
be said for my experience with computer hardware. Due to the various issues I
have had with my computers throughout the years, I have an idea of how to
diagnose a problem and what actions I can take to try to fix it.
I think computer literacy is one of the most useful
skills a person can have today, so I find it immensely helpful. Unfortunately,
computer skills can also be a burden since whenever something is wrong with one
of my family members’ laptops I am the first person getting a call. As a prospective
teacher, my familiarity with computers and technology in general has a variety
of uses. A number of creative things can be done with computers, and I think I
can learn how to do them easier than someone less initiated. At the same time,
my familiarity can be a problem. Everything that has become second nature for
me will make teaching it more difficult because I may leave instructional gaps
if I am not careful.
Since pictures are a thing, here is a picture of the PC I built with the lousy 8800 GTS I had to stick in there when my video card let go last month. Hopefully I will have some money to replace it soon.
