Franske CNT-2300-61 FA12 Schedule

Information Technology & Careers

PC Hardware And Software (A+) CNT-2300 - 3 credits Instructor: Dr. Ben Franske Term: Fall 2012 (8/28/2012-12/20/2012) Meetings: T Th 11:00am-12:50pm Location: B107

This schedule provides an outline of the topics expected to be covered in this course as well as the readings and assignments due each week. Topics and readings may change in which case you will be notified in class or by e-mail and the latest version of this document is always available from the course wiki. Please have all readings completed prior to the start of each class and be prepared to take part in the discussion. Unless otherwise noted online quizzes and exams are due at 11:59pm on the date indicated.

Session 1: August 28

Topics:

• Course Syllabus and Schedule
• Cisco Networking Academy Registration
• Digital Literacy Assessment
• Chapter 1: Introduction to the Personal Computer
  • Explain IT industry certifications
  • Describe a computer system
  • Identify the names, purposes, and characteristics of cases and power supplies
  • Identify the names, purposes, and characteristics of internal components
  • Identify the names, purposes, and characteristics of ports and cables
  • Identify the names, purposes, and characteristics of input devices
  • Identify the names, purposes, characteristics of output devices
  • Explain system resources and their purposes

Readings:

Due:

• Participation Activity: Digital Literacy Assessment (in class)

Session 2: August 30

Topics:

• Cisco Networking Academy Demonstration
• Skills Review Assessment
• Chapter 1: Introduction to the Personal Computer (Wrap-Up)

Readings:

• Chapter 1: Introduction to the Personal Computer

Due:

• Participation Activity: Skills Review Assessment (in class)
• Chapter 1 Online Assessment (due Monday night)

Session 3: September 4

Topics:

• Chapter 2: Safe Lab Procedures and Tool Use
  • Explain the purpose of safe working conditions and procedures
  • Identify tools and software used with personal computer components and their purposes
  • Implement proper tool use

• Chapter 3 Computer Assembly - Step by Step
  • Open the case
  • Install the power supply
  • Attach the components to the motherboard and install the motherboard
  • Install internal drives
  • Install drives in external bays
  • Install adapter cards
  • Connect all internal cables
  • Re-attach the side panels and connect external cables to the computer
  • Boot the computer for the first time

Readings:

• Chapter 2
• Chapter 3

Due:

Session 4: September 6

Topics:

• PC Disassembly Lab

Readings:

Due:

• Chapter 2 Online Assessment (due Friday night)
• Chapter 3 Online Assessment (due Friday night)

Session 5: September 11

Topics:

• Chapter 4: Basics of Preventative Maintenance and Troubleshooting
  • Explain the purpose of preventative maintenance
  • Identify the steps of the troubleshooting process
• Introduction to BIOS Configuration

Readings:

• Chapter 4

Due:

• Lab Report: PC Disassembly Lab

Session 6: September 13

Topics:

• Boot/BIOS Lab
• Advanced BIOS Lab
• Maintenance and Troubleshooting Lab

Readings:

Due:

Session 7: September 18

Topics:

• Chapter 5: Fundamental Operating Systems
  • Explain the purpose of an operating system
  • Describe and compare operating systems to include purpose, limitations, and compatibilities
  • Determine operating system based on customer needs
  • Install an operating system
  • Navigate a GUI (Windows)
  • Identify and apply common maintenance techniques for operating systems
  • Troubleshoot operating systems

Readings:

• Chapter 5

Due:

Session 8: September 20

Topics:

• Windows XP Installation Lab (up to driver installation)

Readings:

Due:

• Chapter 5 Online Assessment (due Friday night)

Session 9: September 25

Topics:

• Driver Installation Workshop

Readings:

Due:

• Lab Reports: Boot/BIOS, Advanced BIOS (The two BIOS labs may be combined into a single report), Maintenance and Troubleshooting

Session 10: September 27

Topics:

• Windows XP Installation Lab (driver installation)

Readings:

Due:

Session 11: October 2

Topics:

• Chapter 6: Fundamental Laptops and Portable Devices
  • Describe laptops and other portable devices
  • Identify and describe the components of a laptop
  • Compare and contrast desktop and laptop components
  • Explain how to configure laptops
  • Compare the different mobile phone standards
  • Identify common preventive maintenance techniques for laptops and portable devices
  • Describe how to troubleshoot laptops and portable devices
• Chapter 13: Advanced Laptops and Portable Devices
  • Describe wireless communication methods for laptops and portable devices
  • Describe repairs for laptops and portable devices
  • Select laptop components
  • Describe preventive maintenance procedures for laptops

Readings:

• Chapter 6
• Chapter 13

Due:

• Lab Report: Windows XP Installation

Session 12: October 4

Topics:

• Laptop Lab
• Advanced Laptop Lab

Readings:

Due:

• Chapter 6 Online Assessment (due Friday night)
• Chapter 13 Online Assessment (due Friday night)

Session 13: October 9

Topics:

• Chapter 7: Fundamental Printers and Scanners
  • Describe the types of printers currently available
  • Describe the installation and configuration process for printers
  • Describe the types of scanners currently available
  • Describe the installation and configuration process for scanners
  • Identify and apply common preventative maintenance techniques for printers and scanners
  • Troubleshoot printers and scanners

Readings:

• Chapter 7

Due:

• Lab Reports: Laptop, Advanced Laptop

Session 14: October 11

Topics:

• Printer Lab

Readings:

Due:

• Chapter 7 Online Assessment (due Friday night)

Session 15: October 16

Topics:

• Chapter 8: Fundamental Networks
  • Explain the principles of networking
  • Describe types of networks
  • Describe basic networking concepts and technologies
  • Describe the physical components of a network
  • Describe LAN topologies and architectures
  • Identify standards organizations
  • Identify ethernet standards
  • Explain OSI and TCP/IP data models
  • Describe how to configure a NIC and a modem
  • Identify names, purposes and characteristics of other technologies used to establish connectivity
  • Identify and apply common preventative maintenance techniques used for networks
  • Troubleshoot a network

Readings:

• Chapter 8

Due:

NO CLASS: October 18

• Education MN Conference

Session 16: October 23

Topics:

• Basic Networking Lab

Readings:

Due:

• Chapter 8 Online Assessment (Due Wednesday Night)

Session 17: October 25

Topics:

• Chapter 9: Fundamental Security
  • Explain why security is important
  • Describe security threats
  • Identify security procedures
  • Identify common preventative maintenance techniques for security
  • Troubleshoot security

• Chapter 16: Advanced Security
  • Outline security requirements based on customer needs
  • Select security components based on customer needs
  • Implement customer's security policy
  • Perform preventive maintenance on security
  • Troubleshoot security

Readings:

• Chapter 9
• Chapter 16

Due:

Session 18: October 30

Topics:

• Basic Security Lab

Readings:

Due:

• Chapter 9 Online Assessment (Due Wednesday Night)
• Chapter 16 Online Assessment (Due Wednesday Night)

Session 19: November 1

Topics:

• Chapter 10: Communication Skills
  • Explain the relationship between communication and troubleshooting
  • Describe good communication skills and professional behavior
  • Explain ethics and legal aspects of working with computer technology
  • Describe call center environment and technician responsibilities

• Chapter 14: Advanced Printers and Scanners
  • Describe potential safety hazards and safety procedures associated with printers and scanners
  • Install and configure a local printer and scanner
  • Describe how to share a printer and a scanner on a network
  • Upgrade and configure printers and scanners
  • Describe printer and scanner preventive maintenance techniques
  • Troubleshoot printers and scanners

Readings:

• Chapter 10
• Chapter 14

Due:

Session 20: November 6

Topics:

• Advanced Printer Lab

Readings:

Due:

• Chapter 10 Online Assessment (Due Wednesday Night)
• Chapter 14 Online Assessment (Due Wednesday Night)

Session 21: November 8

Topics:

• Chapter 12: Advanced Operating Systems
  • Select the appropriate operating system based on customer needs
  • Install, configure, and optimize and operating system
  • Describe how to upgrade operating systems
  • Describe preventive maintenance procedures for operating systems
  • Troubleshoot operating systems

Readings:

• Chapter 12

Due:

• Online Final Exam (Ch 1-10) OPEN 3pm-11pm 11/12/12
• Practice Final Exam (Ch 1-10) DUE 11/12/12 for 10 Points Participation
• All lab reports you have not yet turned in up through the Basic Security Lab are due today in class!

Session 22: November 13

Topics:

• Advanced Windows XP Lab

Readings:

Due:

• Online Final Exam (Ch 1-10) RETAKE OPEN 1:30pm-9:30pm 11/15/12
• Practice Final Exam (Ch 1-10) DUE 11/15/12 for 10 Points Participation
• Chapter 12 Online Assessment (Due Wednesday Night)

Session 23: November 15

Topics:

• About the A+ certification
• Windows 7
• Operating Systems Fundamentals

Readings:

• Chapter 11: Advanced Personal Computers
• Windows 7 Supplementary Material

Due:

Session 24: November 20

Topics:

• Windows 7 Lab

Readings:

Due:

• Chapter 11 Online Assessment (Due Wednesday Night)
• Windows 7 Online Assessment (Due Wednesday Night)

NO CLASS: November 22

• Thanksgiving

Session 25: November 27

Topics:

• Chapter 15: Advanced Networks
  • Identify potential safety hazards and implement proper safety procedures related to networks
  • Design a network based on the customer's needs
  • Determine the components for your customer's network
  • Implement the customer's network
  • Upgrade the customer's network
  • Describe installation, configuration, and management of a simple mail server
  • Describe preventive maintenance procedures for networks
  • Troubleshoot the network

Readings:

• Chapter 15

Due:

Session 26: November 29

Topics:

• Open Lab Time / Practice for Final Skills Exam
• Note: Ben is gone to ACTE Conference Today

Readings:

Due:

Session 27: December 4

Topics:

• Advanced Networking Lab

Readings:

Due:

• Chapter 15 Online Assessment (Due Wednesday Night)

Session 28: December 6

Topics:

• Review for Final Exams/A+ Certification
• Take MTA Operating Systems Fundamentals

Readings:

Due:

• A+ Certification Practice Test (10 Participation Points)

Session 29: December 11

Topics:

• In-Class Skills Based Exam

Readings:

Due:

Session 30: December 13

Topics:

• In-Class Skills Based Exam (Continued)

Readings:

Due:

• All Remaining Labs/Homework

Session 31: FINAL EXAM WEEK

Topics:

Readings:

Due:

• Online Final Exam (Ch 11-16) DUE DEC 18 2-10pm
• Cisco Online Course Feedback (5 Participation Points, Due Dec 18)