Why are Americans more literate in the information era

Why are Americans more literate in the information era
The driving force in the information era is the personal computer and the Internet. Since  [Check word choice--"Since" is more precise in referring to time (meaning "after that"); otherwise use "because"] the development of the personal computer on the ‘70s and the cellular network in the ‘80s, digital technology has become a major feature of the everyday life of Americans. Communication technology comprises many forms of electronic communication. This includes e-mail, blogs, chat rooms, social networks, and instant messaging. The young adults and children in school current are known as the digital age. Unlike the older generation, they have grown up exposed to technology from a very young age. Study indicates the use of key communication media, such as the Internet is established [The passive voice is a form of "be" (is) and a participle (established). Over-use of the passive voice can make paragraphs officious and tedious to read. Prefer the active voice.
For example, passive voice = The paper was completed on time. Active voice = the student completed the paper on time. See Center for Writing Excellence > Tutorials & Guides > Grammar & Writing Guides > Active & passive voice]  at the age of five.
Computer mediated communication has significant effects on the development of language and literacy skills, especially for the developing mind. An average teenager in the country owns about four media devices. The young adults spend much of their time in their rooms engaged in electronic communication with their friends and gaming partners. The available evidence suggests that the rules of conversation are upheld [Passive voice ]  in electronic communication. The nature of electronic communication enhances the pragmatic language skills of the users. This is because there is need to provide more contextual information while using computer-mediated communication. Frequent users of Internet chat rooms develop communication strategies that fit the chat room environment. The users of the chat rooms indicate recognition of social context in their communications. The users adapt their messages to fit the audience and the environment. This suggests a high level of cognitive attentiveness in terms of pragmatic skills.
Computer use support the development of general cognitive skills that in turn support the development of higher order language and literacy skills. Some scholars suggest that a link exist between computer use and attention problems, especially in children and teenagers. This attention problem affects the learning process. Recent studies indicate that the heavy use of electronic media, including the television has mild influence of the attention of the user. There is no link between computer use and deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Available evidence suggests that although computer may be available to students, the benefits received by the students may vary. Money for federal funded programs, such as the Title 1  [Write out numbers under 10] often goes to the purchase of computers for schools in low-income neighborhoods. The low-income neighborhoods often comprises of minority groups, such as the blacks [Designate racial and ethnic groups by proper nouns and capitalization--Black, White, Mexican American, Asian American, etc. (but colors other than Black or White to refer to human groups can be pejorative--avoid their use)] , Hispanics, and Asians. Those in high-income areas tend to have more access to computer and often reap the most benefits. Even in instances where [If not referring to a place, instead of "where," use "which" or "in which"]  the students in both the low and high-income areas have a comparable student-computer ratio, the more affluent schools engage in more challenging activities. The benefits from computers often increase with increase in income.
Little research is available on the effects of computer on spelling and grammar skills. Some scholars hold the view that the use of computer communications  [Place comma before "such as" if the following is a nonrestrictive phrase (meaning its information does not define or restrict--it merely illustrates " computer communications"). If the sentence ended here, would it communicate a clear message? If so, the nonrestrictive phrase should be separated from the rest of the sentence by a comma] such as instant messaging and texting in which the user writes in short abbreviations may impair writing skills. There is a fear that students used to this form of communication may use the abbreviations in exams ["Exam" is short for "examination." Avoid slang in academic writing`]  and office communications. There is however ["However" in this case is a parenthetical word--a sort of "by the way"--and it should be surrounded by commas]  no data available supporting this notion. The available data indicate that the use of abbreviated text is beneficial to the users. This is because it results in the development of phonological processing skills.
The computer is shaping what it means to be literate and skilled. The nature of knowledge in the current world is very different from that in the past. In the past, knowledge was available only in textbook format. Currently, the computer represents information is interact and interest ways. Information content on the computer includes color, multimedia images, and hyperlinks that connect to other related information. The evaluation of literacy in the information era warrants a different approach. This is because the computers have changed to definition of literacy. The use of the previous definition can only result in misleading interpretations in this era. The computer is an integral part of the current society; therefore, the definition of literacy must encompass the wide skill sets introduced by this development.
Consequences of this trend
Technology is shaping the nature of the literacy. It is now  ["Now" is a difficult word. Because this is being read some time after you wrote it, "now" is ambiguous--do you mean at the time you were writing? When was that? If you mean "as of the present time" (Hawaii is now a state), you can leave out "now." If the time or date is important, fill it in. If the essay is in the past tense, instead of "now," use "then"] no possible to effectively define  [Doctoral rule (but good advice for any academic writer)--avoid a split infinitive; consider placing the adverb (effectively) before or after the infinitive (to define )--try "effectively to define " or "to define  effectively" (or place "effectively" later in the sentence)] literacy without include technology and the resulting skill sets. Computer and  [Grammar: A run-on sentence requires a comma before "and" (or other conjunction) linking main clauses] the internet [Capitalize "Internet" as the worldwide communication network]  are used [Passive voice ]  increasingly in the classroom and the work environment. For a well-rounded individual, the ability to use and operate the computer is paramount. The nature of technology and computer is that it is constantly evolving. The definition of literacy is tied [Passive voice ]  to technology and is too continuously  [Check spelling: "Continuous" means continuing unceasingly, constantly, all day and night; "continual" means frequent but not uninterrupted continuance] changing. To remain literate in this era, one must not only learn how to use computers and other technologies, he or she must also continuously upgrade knowledge as the situation demands. In the classroom, the computer technology is combined [Passive voice ]  with the traditional forms of education. This enhances the students learning in the traditional curriculum and the basic skill areas
Literacy in the information era is tied [Passive voice ]  to technological skills. Technology affects all  [Writing suggestion: "All" or "all of" used as an intensifier very often can be removed with no loss of meaning] spheres of life. Humans live in a technological world. This has always been  [Doctoral-level comment (also recommended for any academic writer)--do not divide two-part verb beginning with has/have/had. Try to place "always" before or after the two-part verb (has been)--"always has been" or "has been always" (or place "always" later in the sentence)] the case since  [Check word choice--"Since" is more precise in referring to time (meaning "after that"); otherwise use "because"] the development of writing. Historical periods have names  [Insert comma] depending on the level of technology at the time. This includes Bronze Age, Stone Age, and Iron Age. in the current world technology is involved [Passive voice ]  in making important decisions that affect the humans in a numbers of ways. This includes health, social, and environment ways. In the information era, the demand for technological skills as part of literacy is a factor that is  [Wordiness: see if you can remove "that" or "that is"] integral to the successful development of an individual. The traditional functions of reading, writing, and speaking remain central to literacy. The prevalence of technology in the contemporary society creates a new literacy need that one must meet to qualify as literate.
The contemporary society is undergoing a social revolution. Homes, workplace, and shopping complexes are adopting digital technology as a normal part of daily life. With an increase in the speed and accessibility of the Internet, the sources of information are changing rapidly. Current studies indicate declines in the time spend watching television and an increase in the time spent on the Internet. The Internet and computer is replacing other media of communication and information sharing because it enables easier networking and collaboration. Unlike in the past where literacy included ability to read and understand information on print media, the current definition include understanding information displayed in highly interactive and complex designs. This includes hyperlinks, pop-ups, and icons. To ensure the competitiveness of the youth and the country in the future, the curriculum must respond to the changing definition of literacy. This ensures literacy in America improves from the current ranking in the world (27). This will also help Americans become critical creators and consumers of information in the range of technologies available today and in future [Redundancy: "in the future" is repetitive--"will also" means in the future] .
Conclusion
The fast change in information and communication technology has resulted in the continuous change of the literacy. It is impossible to define literacy comprehensively without considering technology and the skill sets required. The heavy application of technology in every aspect of life ensures this link between technology and literacy. The rapid change of technology and the literacy definition thereof is driven [Passive voice ]  by the economical [Check spelling--"economical" means "money-saving, least costly"; "economic" means "having to do with financial matters, matters of the economy, etc.]  and social factors. Central to literacy development is education. The challenge facing curriculum developers is how to effectively plan  [split infinitive] for education while  ["While" is accurate in linking simultaneous events (meaning "during"), but if that is not the case here, use "although," "whereas," "and," or "but"] the heart of the education is constantly changing. Because it is impossible to define the nature of literacy in the future, the best alternative is to define the principles at work. Considering the principles at work, the planners can develop a curriculum that employs the principles and is adaptable to changes based on the principles. The information era is influencing and reshaping every spheres of life. The definition of workable knowledge is dependent on the technology used in the information systems.
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