Literacy is Literacy. Whether you're talking about foreign language, English, or the computer, it's better to talk about levels than absolutes. For example, when my father-in-law speaks Italian, he never conjugates a verb, but from market to restaurant to train station, everyone in Italy understands him. My wife, on the other hand, understands and speaks Italian well enough to attend college-level lectures. She can accomplish the same things he does, and much more-and she does it more efficiently. They're both literate in Italian, but at different levels.

Literacy isn't something you have or don't have-it has many levels, which are based on two things: what you do and how you do it. In other words, it's based on abilities and skills.

"The idea that you can function at different levels is a great way to talk about literacy," said George Kane, director of ZDNet University, an online education site. "For example, if you're parachuted into Paris and are able only to ask directions toe the train station, you're at one level of literacy; if you can carry on a conversation on politics or history, you're at a much higher level."

Five Levels of Literacy

The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (www.actfl.org) outlines five levels of literacy, each with a range of abilities and skills. FUTUREKIDS, a worldwide franchised computer school has similar levels-kids enrolled in their program get a passport, and as they gain proficiency, they go from Tourist to Ambassador. A five-level look at computer literacy might stack up like this:

Level 1: Tourist (Casual User)

• Abilities:
  Able to use the computer for prepackaged entertainment or education, or to accomplish simple tasks such as word processing or simple spreadsheets or databases. The Casual User can cope with the technology when necessary and get by using it.
  
  
• Skills:
  Knows how to interact with the operating system and applications at a basic level: loading and launching programs, organizing files. Has some skills in managing files on a hard disk and learning programs independently. Understands basics of computer hardware and operation.

Level 2: Sojourner (Everyday User)

• Abilities:
  Able to use a narrow range of specific applications at an advanced level. e.g., word processing, spreadsheet, database, desktop publishing, graphics-to accomplish tasks such as desktop publishing projects, homework or work. Has good skills in one or two applications and working familiarity with many more.
  
  
• Skills:
  More advanced application and operating-system management, including hard disk organization. Uses shortcuts in programs and customizes applications. Uses e-mail for basic communication and the World Wide Web for finding information. Basic troubleshooting ability.

Level 3: Voyager (Expert User)

• Abilities:
  Able to take advantage of the computer and a wide range of applications for innovations, including multimedia reports, advanced desktop publishing projects, and running a small business. Can combine multiple applications. e.g., spreadsheets, databases, and word processors-to manage large projects, and chooses the application most appropriate to a task. The Expert User can lead and innovate using the technology, and seeks it out as a way of creating things that he or she couldn't create in other ways.
  
  
• Skills:
  Expert-level use of multiple applications. Uses e-mail attachments and innovations easily, and uses the Internet and Web as a source of downloadable information, which means handling multiple file formats and utilities. Can manage simple hardware installations and upgrades.

Level 4: Explorer (Power User)

• Abilities:
  Able to not only to use commercial applications expertly but also to choose shareware and utilities that provide unique solutions. Easily combines data from multiple sources. The Power User stretches the limits of the applications-where an Expert User may put up a simple Web page, the Power user puts up a Web page with Java and multimedia enhancements. Is a resource for troubleshooting.
  
  
• Skills:
  Understanding of and ability to do some programming, scripting, and macro writing to fully exploit and extend applications. Proficiency in hardware enhancements and upgrades, as well as multiple peripherals for things like video capture.

Level 5: Ambassador

Like those who've attained the top level in foreign language literacy, the individual who has mastered computer use can comfortably use the full range of applications and computer peripherals for personal enjoyment and enrichment.

At what age should all this occur? FUTUREKIDS begins teaching kids as young as four years old. And though there's no rule about when a child should reach a certain level, children leaving elementary school should be around Level 2.

And parents, do the best you can to keep up. As with a foreign language, you can get by without a lot of knowledge; but if you want to catch up with your kids (and get beyond the market, restaurant, and training stage), you'd better get cracking.