School iPads to cost nearly $100 more each, revised budget shows

[happyslug]

35. No one is claiming NOT to use computers, but we are discussing connection from and to the computer

As to Human Relations Departments, the issue is less to do with people knowledge of computers, but do they know the underlying job. I have known several people who do manual labor, they do NOT need computer skills, neither do Janitors. In higher tech work, you can run into situation where a person will have to be trained on THAT EMPLOYERS computers, and what knowledge he had previously to computers is unimportant.

The US Army did a study many years ago, it took 1000 repetitions to learn to do something, and 1300 repetitions to unlearn one way and learn a new way. In such situations where you have to unteach someone and teach that person how that employer wants it done, the HR Department may opt to go with someone without computer training for he or she will be quicker to learn how that employer wants something done.

As to actual computer knowledge, knowledge of various programs is more important access to the net, thus if a person knows a word processing program, a data base program or similar computer driven data system is more important then connectivity. Thus a student who goes through high school without access to a WI-FI network, the internet or even an Ethernet system, but learned word progressing, data base management, basic math, advance math, basic and advance English will be the first choice of most HR departments over someone who took none of those courses, but has extensive known ledge on how to surf the net. In fact more and more employers are cracking down on surfing the net while working,

Thus, basic knowledge on how a Computer works is all want most employers want of employees as to computer knowledge itself (and most of that can be taught in less then 30 days). What employers want is does the potential employee has the background to grasp what is needed by someone doing the underlying job. In the vast majority of cases that is more important then computer knowledge for most HR departments have the attitude that computer knowledge can be quickly learned if the employee is other wised capable of doing the job. A Laptop with access to WI-Fi, the internet or other connections can provide the student with the background he or she will need in most employment situations.