Web skills are necessary for work

Since Kemeny and Kurtz introduced the notion of computer literacy, there has been a dual emphasis on job skills and concepts. The following two quotes suggest that Internet skills are needed in the workplace.

Patty Morrison, Executive VP and CIO, Motorola:

The next big thing for my business will be ... the explosion of Web 2.0 and the consumerization of IT. Organizations will need to completely rethink how they will provide end-user services to an incoming workforce that has more technical capability at home/school than the enterprise can offer.

Ray Ozzie, Chief Software Architect, Microsoft:

Over the past ten years, the PC era has given way to an era in which the web is at the center of our experiences – experiences delivered not just through the browser but also through many different devices including PCs, phones, media players, game consoles, set-top boxes and televisions, cars, and more.

How much programming?

Slashdot has a discussion of whether programming should be part of a science education. I cannot imagine the answer being anything but "yes" for science or engineering students, but what about majors in the arts and humanities or other professions? What IT skills does, say, an art history or literature major, need for work? What concepts do they need to be at home in the modern world?

A table of skills and concepts for various students

Computer literacy is comprised of many skills and concepts, but they are not all appropriate for every student. This table lists some skills and concepts that might be appropriate for three groups of student. It could be extended and used as a checklist and an index to notes and exercises on each topic.