Computer literacy lacking

editorial cartoon by Yasuyuki Nagasawa
editorial cartoon by Yasuyuki Nagasawa

Last April, Data-Flex, a new on-line computer system, was installed in Student Accounts. The goal for having the new system was to allow departments all over campus to be able to communicate with each other via computer. Over the summer, the staff in Student Accounts received extensive training on the system. After several months, however, it has not been completely mastered. Therefore, service for students may not be anymore prompt now than it was before the computer system was installed.

A major problem with computers on campus is lack of proper training. In order to benefit from the thousands of dollars used to purchase the computers, more effort should be put forward to learning how to operate them correctly.

Perhaps training is not the issue for Student Accounts. That department is the first to use the new system, so they will probably make more mistakes than others. It may take them more time to get used to a new system after years of doing things differently.

The learning process can be long and intense. It will take time to adjust, but the question is, how long?

If it takes several months for one department to be fully efficient on the new system, it may be a matter of years before the rest of the University can utilize it. Plans are for the system to be fully implemented next fall. Hopefully, there will be no delays.

We, as a university, should not just sit back and wait for the computer system to reach our departments­­—whereupon we make our own mistakes. We should learn from Student Accounts that the system is not quite as easy to adapt to as we might assume.

Instead of waiting, training should begin now. At least one member of each department should be able to learn the system. Then, that person could assist the rest of the department when the system finally is implemented. That is one solution.

The purpose of computers is to make things quicker and easier to do. The reality is that things often remain slow and difficult because people do not know how to use the equipment and resources they have. Possibly it has to do with procrastination. Others may be afraid to enter the Computer Age.

Since departments have access to computers, they might as well know how to operate them beyond the basics. They should use them to their maximum capabilities.

Until the on-line system is in full swing, work should continue as normal. A new computer system will not necessarily solve every problem. Some may disappear, but others will arise. Those who already have effective ways of completing tasks need not hurry to computer training. Those who don’t, try getting on the early bird plan.

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Unsigned editorials represent the opinion of the Campus Times Editorial Board.

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