{"id":4,"date":"2025-09-04T14:53:11","date_gmt":"2025-09-04T14:53:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pressbooks.hcfl.edu\/compinfotechlit\/?p=4"},"modified":"2026-03-28T12:04:37","modified_gmt":"2026-03-28T12:04:37","slug":"introduction","status":"publish","type":"front-matter","link":"https:\/\/pressbooks.hcfl.edu\/compinfotechlit\/front-matter\/introduction\/","title":{"raw":"Welcome: Computer Information Technology and Literacy","rendered":"Welcome: Computer Information Technology and Literacy"},"content":{"raw":"<div style=\"position: relative; overflow: hidden; aspect-ratio: 1920\/1080;\"><iframe style=\"position: absolute; width: 100%; height: 100%; top: 0; left: 0; border: none; padding: 0; margin: 0; overflow: hidden;\" title=\"Synthesia video player - Welcome to Computer Information Technology and Literacy\" src=\"https:\/\/share.synthesia.io\/embeds\/videos\/cda13e4e-466e-4ebd-8498-3809339bb79c\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/div>\r\n<h2>What You Will Learn<\/h2>\r\nThroughout the semester, you will gain hands-on experience using the software applications that many professionals rely on every day. These tools help users create documents, analyze data, communicate information clearly, and manage large amounts of digital information.\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Word processing tools for creating professional documents<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Spreadsheet software for analyzing and organizing data<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Presentation tools for communicating ideas visually<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Database systems for managing structured information<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Email and collaboration tools for professional communication<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Artificial intelligence tools that assist with productivity and decision-making<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nYou will learn not only <em>how<\/em> to use these tools, but also <em>why<\/em> they are important and how organizations use them to improve efficiency, support decision-making, and deliver better services.\r\n<h3>Understanding Technology in a Broader Context<\/h3>\r\nIn addition to learning practical software skills, this course will explore the broader role technology plays in society and business. Understanding how computing systems evolved helps us better understand the tools we use today.\r\n\r\nTopics explored in this course include:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>The history and evolution of data processing<\/li>\r\n \t<li>The development of modern computer systems<\/li>\r\n \t<li>The role of the internet and the World Wide Web<\/li>\r\n \t<li>How organizations use technology to make informed decisions<\/li>\r\n \t<li>The growing influence of artificial intelligence and machine learning<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nBy understanding these concepts, you will develop the ability to evaluate technologies critically and recognize how they influence business strategies and everyday life.\r\n<h3>Technology and Career Opportunities<\/h3>\r\nDigital literacy is one of the most valuable skills in today\u2019s job market. Nearly every industry\u2014from healthcare and finance to marketing and logistics\u2014relies on technology to manage information and serve customers.\r\n\r\nBy the end of this course, you will be able to:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Identify common business and technology career paths<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Understand how different professional roles work together in organizations<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Recognize how digital tools support productivity and decision-making<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Use core business software applications effectively<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Apply digital literacy skills that employers value across many industries<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nThese skills will help you become a more confident technology user and prepare you for a variety of career opportunities.\r\n<h3>Your Learning Experience<\/h3>\r\nThis course is designed to be <strong>interactive, practical, and relevant<\/strong> to your future. Through activities, examples, and applied learning exercises, you will practice using technology the way professionals do in real-world environments.\r\n\r\nWhether you are exploring potential career paths, strengthening your technology skills, or preparing for future coursework, this course will help you build the digital confidence needed to succeed in a technology-enabled world.\r\n\r\n<strong>Let\u2019s begin your journey into Computer Information Technology and Literacy.<\/strong>\r\n<div class=\"textbox\">\r\n<h4>Attribution<\/h4>\r\nStewart, M. (2026, March 14). <em data-start=\"481\" data-end=\"528\">Computer information technology and literacy!<\/em> [AI-generated video]. Synthesia.\r\n<p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">This educational material includes AI-generated content from ChatGPT by OpenAI &amp; Copilot from Microsoft. The original content created by Shelley Stewart and Andy Seeley from Hillsborough College is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (<a class=\"fui-Link ___1q1shib f2hkw1w f3rmtva f1ewtqcl fyind8e f1k6fduh f1w7gpdv fk6fouc fjoy568 figsok6 f1s184ao f1mk8lai fnbmjn9 f1o700av f13mvf36 f1cmlufx f9n3di6 f1ids18y f1tx3yz7 f1deo86v f1eh06m1 f1iescvh fhgqx19 f1olyrje f1p93eir f1nev41a f1h8hb77 f1lqvz6u f10aw75t fsle3fq f17ae5zn\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc\/4.0\/deed.en\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CC BY-NC 4.0<\/a>).<\/p>\r\n<p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">All images in this textbook generated with DALL\u00b7E and the Microsoft Copilot Image Generator are licensed under the terms provided by OpenAI and Microsoft, which allow for their free use, modification, and distribution with appropriate attribution.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n&nbsp;","rendered":"<div style=\"position: relative; overflow: hidden; aspect-ratio: 1920\/1080;\"><iframe style=\"position: absolute; width: 100%; height: 100%; top: 0; left: 0; border: none; padding: 0; margin: 0; overflow: hidden;\" title=\"Synthesia video player - Welcome to Computer Information Technology and Literacy\" src=\"https:\/\/share.synthesia.io\/embeds\/videos\/cda13e4e-466e-4ebd-8498-3809339bb79c\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<h2>What You Will Learn<\/h2>\n<p>Throughout the semester, you will gain hands-on experience using the software applications that many professionals rely on every day. These tools help users create documents, analyze data, communicate information clearly, and manage large amounts of digital information.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Word processing tools for creating professional documents<\/li>\n<li>Spreadsheet software for analyzing and organizing data<\/li>\n<li>Presentation tools for communicating ideas visually<\/li>\n<li>Database systems for managing structured information<\/li>\n<li>Email and collaboration tools for professional communication<\/li>\n<li>Artificial intelligence tools that assist with productivity and decision-making<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>You will learn not only <em>how<\/em> to use these tools, but also <em>why<\/em> they are important and how organizations use them to improve efficiency, support decision-making, and deliver better services.<\/p>\n<h3>Understanding Technology in a Broader Context<\/h3>\n<p>In addition to learning practical software skills, this course will explore the broader role technology plays in society and business. Understanding how computing systems evolved helps us better understand the tools we use today.<\/p>\n<p>Topics explored in this course include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The history and evolution of data processing<\/li>\n<li>The development of modern computer systems<\/li>\n<li>The role of the internet and the World Wide Web<\/li>\n<li>How organizations use technology to make informed decisions<\/li>\n<li>The growing influence of artificial intelligence and machine learning<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>By understanding these concepts, you will develop the ability to evaluate technologies critically and recognize how they influence business strategies and everyday life.<\/p>\n<h3>Technology and Career Opportunities<\/h3>\n<p>Digital literacy is one of the most valuable skills in today\u2019s job market. Nearly every industry\u2014from healthcare and finance to marketing and logistics\u2014relies on technology to manage information and serve customers.<\/p>\n<p>By the end of this course, you will be able to:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Identify common business and technology career paths<\/li>\n<li>Understand how different professional roles work together in organizations<\/li>\n<li>Recognize how digital tools support productivity and decision-making<\/li>\n<li>Use core business software applications effectively<\/li>\n<li>Apply digital literacy skills that employers value across many industries<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>These skills will help you become a more confident technology user and prepare you for a variety of career opportunities.<\/p>\n<h3>Your Learning Experience<\/h3>\n<p>This course is designed to be <strong>interactive, practical, and relevant<\/strong> to your future. Through activities, examples, and applied learning exercises, you will practice using technology the way professionals do in real-world environments.<\/p>\n<p>Whether you are exploring potential career paths, strengthening your technology skills, or preparing for future coursework, this course will help you build the digital confidence needed to succeed in a technology-enabled world.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Let\u2019s begin your journey into Computer Information Technology and Literacy.<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"textbox\">\n<h4>Attribution<\/h4>\n<p>Stewart, M. (2026, March 14). <em data-start=\"481\" data-end=\"528\">Computer information technology and literacy!<\/em> [AI-generated video]. Synthesia.<\/p>\n<p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">This educational material includes AI-generated content from ChatGPT by OpenAI &amp; Copilot from Microsoft. The original content created by Shelley Stewart and Andy Seeley from Hillsborough College is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (<a class=\"fui-Link ___1q1shib f2hkw1w f3rmtva f1ewtqcl fyind8e f1k6fduh f1w7gpdv fk6fouc fjoy568 figsok6 f1s184ao f1mk8lai fnbmjn9 f1o700av f13mvf36 f1cmlufx f9n3di6 f1ids18y f1tx3yz7 f1deo86v f1eh06m1 f1iescvh fhgqx19 f1olyrje f1p93eir f1nev41a f1h8hb77 f1lqvz6u f10aw75t fsle3fq f17ae5zn\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc\/4.0\/deed.en\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CC BY-NC 4.0<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">All images in this textbook generated with DALL\u00b7E and the Microsoft Copilot Image Generator are licensed under the terms provided by OpenAI and Microsoft, which allow for their free use, modification, and distribution with appropriate attribution.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"menu_order":1,"template":"","meta":{"pb_show_title":"on","pb_short_title":"","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":[],"pb_section_license":""},"front-matter-type":[13],"contributor":[],"license":[],"class_list":["post-4","front-matter","type-front-matter","status-publish","hentry","front-matter-type-introduction"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.hcfl.edu\/compinfotechlit\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/front-matter\/4","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.hcfl.edu\/compinfotechlit\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/front-matter"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.hcfl.edu\/compinfotechlit\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/front-matter"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.hcfl.edu\/compinfotechlit\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"version-history":[{"count":24,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.hcfl.edu\/compinfotechlit\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/front-matter\/4\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":171,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.hcfl.edu\/compinfotechlit\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/front-matter\/4\/revisions\/171"}],"metadata":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.hcfl.edu\/compinfotechlit\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/front-matter\/4\/metadata\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.hcfl.edu\/compinfotechlit\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"front-matter-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.hcfl.edu\/compinfotechlit\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/front-matter-type?post=4"},{"taxonomy":"contributor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.hcfl.edu\/compinfotechlit\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contributor?post=4"},{"taxonomy":"license","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.hcfl.edu\/compinfotechlit\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/license?post=4"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}