More disinterested voices caution against confusing the obvious need to learn computer-literacy skills with the less obvious need to learn everything else via a computer.

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Nonprofit tutorial website the Khan Academy aims to do just that with its revolutionary computer science platform which is changing the way we learn.

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Bless her, she did learn to use a computer, iPod, Kindle and Skype, but she needs ongoing support with all of these to maintain being able to use them.

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Also, they're light, easy to carry, generally easier to learn than a smartphone or computer and don't require much typing -- considerable benefits to people with arthritic hands or joints.

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