A discussion on the impact of the information explosion on society provides the context for this paper's examination of procedures for designing the first stage of a systematic plan to incorporate computer technologies in elementary and secondary schools. Based on the rationale that a computer literate faculty must be available to make decisions on effective computer use, the paper discusses the roles that teachers and computers will play in educating students in the 21st century. Citing the need to match instructional and learner objectives, a paradigm for training teachers to be computer literate is recommended as the initial step in achieving that goal. Categories outlined for this initial introduction include information systems, information collection and retrieval, communications with a computer, computers in the marketplace, and computers in education. Suggested activities for generating additional competencies would include programs on: (1) the automatic control of processes, (2) the concept of input-process-output, (3) coding systems, (4) preparation of input and interpretation of output, (5) using computer program packages, and (6) hardware and software in context. Sixteen references are cited. (MER)