Objective: 

Students will apply systematic troubleshooting strategies to diagnose and resolve connectivity problems in a hypothetical computer lab. They will engage in technical reading to research potential solutions and understand how to implement them.

Materials Needed: 

• Printed troubleshooting flow diagrams

• Technical documents (e.g., articles on network troubleshooting)

• Paper

• Pencils

Steps:

• Introduction: 

  • Students discuss common connectivity problems in computing systems, such as faulty cables or network settings.

  • Provide students with a technical troubleshooting document that outlines a step-by-step approach to resolving these issues. 

  • Explain the importance of reading and understanding technical texts to find solutions.

• Group Activity: 

  • Students, working in groups, will use a flow diagram and technical articles to diagnose the problems outlined in a set of connectivity scenarios. 

  • They will read through the articles to identify and understand troubleshooting strategies, then apply this knowledge to resolve the issues.

• Evaluation and Reflection: 

  • Each group will present their troubleshooting process, citing the technical texts they used and explaining how the reading helped them understand the solution. 

  • Discuss how reading technical texts independently supports their ability to problem-solve.

Equity and Access: 

Provide simplified versions of the technical texts for students who need reading support, and ensure mixed-ability groupings so all students can contribute to the troubleshooting process.

Real-World Connection: 

Connect the lesson to IT support teams who routinely use technical documents and flowcharts to troubleshoot network issues in professional environments.

CS Practice(s): 

• Recognizing and Defining Computational Problems: Students read and comprehend technical documents to identify connectivity issues and define systematic solutions.

Standard(s): 

• CA CCSS ELA-Literacy RST.6-8.10

• CA CS 6-8.CS.3 

Objective: 

Students will use network troubleshooting software and online resources to diagnose and fix network connectivity issues. They will engage in reading technical documents and tutorials to independently learn how to apply troubleshooting techniques.

Materials Needed:

• Computers with internet access

• Network troubleshooting software

• Access to online technical articles or tutorials

Steps:

• Introduction: 

  • Students discuss common network problems like slow speeds or no internet access. 

  • Provide students with online technical articles and software manuals that explain how to use troubleshooting tools. 

  • Emphasize how reading and comprehending these resources is essential for effective problem-solving.

• Group Activity: 

  • Students work in pairs to simulate and diagnose network issues using software. 

  • They will read the provided technical texts independently to understand how to use the tools and apply the information to fix the issues.

• Testing and Refining: 

  • Students will apply the troubleshooting strategies they have learned from the readings, documenting their solutions step by step. 

  • They will refine their approaches if initial solutions do not work and reference the technical texts as needed.

Equity and Access: 

Offer additional reading support by providing tutorials with both written instructions and video demonstrations for students who benefit from visual learning. Pair students so they can collaborate and learn from one another.

Real-World Connection: 

Highlight how IT professionals frequently refer to manuals and technical documentation when diagnosing and resolving network problems in real-world settings.

CS Practice(s): 

• Testing and Refining Computational Artifacts: Students use technical reading to understand and apply software troubleshooting strategies, refining their methods based on test results.

Standard(s): 

• CA CCSS ELA-Literacy RST.6-8.10

• CA CS 6-8.CS.3