CISCO 11 - IT Essentials
Chapter 1 - Introduction to the Personal Computer
Information technology (IT) is the design, development, implementation, support, and management of computer hardware and software applications. An IT professional is knowledgeable about computer systems and operating systems. This chapter will review IT certifications and the components of a basic personal computer system.
After completing this chapter, you will meet these objectives:
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, and characteristics of output devices.
Explain system resources and their purposes.
1. 50 Chapter Review Questions (download here) DUE FRIDAY
Use these to guide your studies through the chapter.
2. Review the Chapter 1 Power Point
3. Complete the practice Quiz on the Cisco Website
Watch
Chapter 2 - Safe Lab Procedures and Tool Use
This chapter covers basic safety practices for the workplace, hardware and software tools, and the disposal of hazardous materials. Safety guidelines help protect individuals from accidents and injury and protect equipment from damage. Some of these guidelines are designed to protect the environment from contamination by discarded materials. Stay alert to situations that could result in injury or damage to equipment. Warning signs are designed to alert you to danger. Always watch for these signs and take the appropriate action according to the warning given.
After completing this chapter, you will meet these objectives:
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.
1. Complete the Chapter 2 Worksheet
2. Review the Chapter 2 Power Point (download here)
3. Complete the practice Quiz on the Cisco Website
Chapter 3 - Computer Assembly, Step-by-Step
Assembling computers is a large part of a technician's job. As a technician, you will need to work in a logical, methodical manner when working with computer components. As with any learned trade, computer assembly skills will improve dramatically with practice.
After completing this chapter, you will meet these objectives:
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.
Take some time to explore the 3D Toad Site on Computer Components. (very interesting!)
1. Chapter 3 Worksheet about exploring the Virtual Desktop (download here, copy & paste finished questions to CISCO homework section.
You can find the Virtual Desktop activity in the Teacher Hand-Out Folder.
Click on:
Hamlin
Hand Out
ICT CIS
Virtual Desktop
index.html
2. Review (make sure you can answer these questions, discuss them with a group)
3. View the Chapter 3 Power Point
4. Take the Chapter 3 Practice Quiz
Chapter 4 - Preventative Maintenance & Troubleshooting
This chapter introduces preventive maintenance and the troubleshooting process. Preventive maintenance is a regular and systematic inspection, cleaning, and replacement of worn parts, materials, and systems. Preventive maintenance helps to prevent failure of parts, materials, and systems by ensuring that they are in good working condition. Troubleshooting is a systematic approach to locating the cause of a fault in a computer system. With fewer faults, there is less troubleshooting to do, thus saving an organization time and money.
Troubleshooting is a learned skill. Not all troubleshooting processes are the same, and technicians tend to refine their own troubleshooting skills based on knowledge and personal experience. Use the guidelines in this chapter as a starting point to help develop your troubleshooting skills. Although each situation is different, the process described in this chapter will help you to determine your course of action when you are trying to solve a technical problem for a customer.
After completing this chapter, you will meet these objectives:
Explain the purpose of preventive maintenance.
Identify the steps of the troubleshooting process
Complete the Chapter 4 worksheet
Chapter 4 Quiz Questions
Answer in full sentences. Print and hand-in
1. What is preventive maintenance?
2. What is troubleshooting?
3. Why should you do preventive
maintenance?
4. Why should you perform regular
maintenance routines?
5. What are the benefits of preventive
maintenance?
6. What are the 6 steps in the troubleshooting
process?
7. What is data backup?
8. What is an open-ended question?
9. What type of response should you expect
from a close-ended question?
10. What is shown in Device Manager?
11. What are beep codes used for?
12. Are all beep codes the same?
13. How do you know a device is operating
incorrectly?
14.What should be included in your
documentation?
15. What is the final step in the
troubleshooting process?
Computer Hardware Labs
Building a Custom Computer System
You work in a computer store building computers. Customers ask you to recommend the components of their new computers that you will then build. Please recommend computers for two of the following four customers using this format:
Type of Component Brand & Model Place of purchase Price
Example:
DVD Player Sony x16 / x40 Future Shop $116
This DVD player was chosen because of Sony’s record of reliability. It is a fast drive and the price is within budget. PC Magazine states that “the Sony DVD player is the best buy” in their July issue.
Build Easy PC is a very good resource to help you choose components and guides you on how to build a computer.
These sites are good places to find prices on components:
NCIX - Atic - Tiger Direct - New Egg - Future Shop - or use any other site as long as you site your source with a link
Choose 2 of the following system types and make sure your entire system falls within the budget
1. Home user:
Budget: $500
“I use my computer mainly for the Internet, e-mail, and word processing. I would like to be able to edit and print photos with my new digital camera. My children like to play games but I’m not worried if they cannot play the newest games.”
2. Entertainment Center:
Budget: $800
“My computer is my entertainment center. I do not have a TV or a stereo. I want to be able to play music and DVD movies on my computer with full surround sound. I also want to burn CDS of music to play on my car stereo.”
3. Multi-Media Developer:
Budget: $1200
“I develop multi-media applications for a living including: CD-ROMs, Web Cites, Brochures, Videos, Music, and Posters. I need to run Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Premier, and PageMaker, as well as Macromedia’s web development package. Often I need to run several applications at the same time. I must scan client’s photos and print high quality samples for them. I will also have to burn copies of CD-ROMs, DVDs, and files for the print house.”
4. Gamer:
Budget: Unlimited
“I want the ultimate gaming machine. Money is no object since I made a fortune buying and selling dot com stock before the bottom dropped out of the market. I want to be able to play the latest games from flight simulations to first person shooters. I also enjoy playing older arcade games. I want great sound and I want joysticks for the different types of games I play. I have a different computer for office tasks so this machine will be strictly for fun.”
Each Computer Should Include At Least the Following Items:
Motherboard
CPU
RAM
Hard Drive
Optical Drives
Case / Power Supply
Video Card
Sound Card / Onboard Sound
Network Card / Onboard Network
Monitor
Speakers
Keyboard
Mouse
Operating System
Mark Sheet
Computer Assembly Workshops
We will be working in teams of 3.
The hardware tech will be doing the actual physical dismantling of the system.
The procedural manager will be following the instructions and making sure each step is completed.
The secretary will be recording the steps and taking notes of any relevant information.
Each group member should have a turn at each role so you will need to rotate positions throughout the lab time.
You are required to do a complete disassembly and re-assembly of a desktop computer system.
We will be working in 4 stations with 4 teams building at a time. You will be required to complete the Computer Assembly Guide and document all of your steps in the process.
Those teams not building will be updating their sites with their advanced predictions on the steps they will take once they begin their assignment.
Include the following information on your site:
step by step instructions for how to disassemble the computer system
precautions to take during the workshop
solutions to troubleshoot potential problems. i.e. what would you do if it doesn't turn on?
guide on how to put the system back together safely, in sequence
Make sure you properly identify the names of all components.
ICT Writing Assignment
Write a 750 word paper (3 pages) following the APA Style Guide
Use Microsoft Word. Font: Arial Font size: 12
Your paper must include at least 4 references, properly cited in the paper and at the end.
Consider using Google Scholar as your search tool.
Topic(s): The Role of Technology in Education
Questions to address:
How has technology affected your education? (both positive and negative factors)
How has the role of technology in education changed since you were in elementary school?
Where do you see technology going in the future of education?
What are the advantages and/or disadvantages of a connected classroom?
Should every student have a laptop or ipad at school? Why or why not?
Other
Finished Draft copies of the paper need to be submitted into the hand-in folder by end of the day on Thursday.
Finished papers need to be submitted in the class hand-in folder by the end of the day on Monday.
How your paper will be graded
Back to Cisco
Chapter 5 - Operating Systems
The operating system (OS) controls almost all functions on a computer. In this chapter, you will learn about the components, functions, and terminology related to the, Windows XP, and Windows 7 operating systems.
After completing this chapter, you will meet these objectives:
Explain the purpose of an operating system.
Describe and compare operating systems to include purpose, limitations, and compatibilities.
Determine the operating system based on customer needs.
Install an operating system.
Navigate a Graphical User Interface (GUI).
Identify and apply common preventive maintenance techniques for operating systems.
Troubleshoot operating systems.
Complete Operating Systems Worksheet
Chapter 6 - Laptops
Chapter 6 - Laptops
Do you know when the first laptops were developed? Who do you think used the early laptops?
One of the original laptops was the GRiD Compass 1101. It was used by astronauts on space missions in the early 1980s. It weighed 11 lb (5 kg) and cost US $8,000 - $10,000! Laptops today often weigh less than one-half the weight and cost less than one-third the price of the GRiD. The compact design, convenience, and evolving technology of laptops have made them as popular as desktops.
Laptops, tablets, and smartphones are becoming more popular as their prices decrease and technology continues to progress. As a computer technician, you need to have knowledge of portable devices of all kinds. This chapter focuses on the differences between laptops and desktops and describes the features of PDAs and smartphones.
After completing this chapter, you will meet these objectives:
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 6 worksheet - Answer 20 of these questions and place them in the hand-in folder.
Cisco 11 - Chapter 7
This chapter provides essential information about printers and scanners. You will learn how printers operate, what to consider when purchasing a printer, and how to connect printers to an individual computer or to a network.
Printers produce paper copies of electronic files. Scanners allow users to convert paper documents into electronic files. Many government regulations require physical records; therefore, hard copies of computer documents are often as important today as they were when the paperless revolution began several years ago.
You must understand the operation of various types of printers and scanners to be able to install and maintain them, as well as troubleshoot any problems that arise.
After completing this chapter, you will meet these objectives:
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 preventive maintenance techniques for printers and scanners.
Troubleshoot printers and scanners.
Assignments - Complete these Chapter 7 Questions questions and place in the Hand-In folder by Thursday
See your Chapter 7 Answer Key
Study the Chapter 7 Quiz Preview
Read this: Evolution of Printing Technology
Try this game: Laser Printer Components Game
Chapter 8 - Introduction to Networking
This chapter provides an overview of network principles, standards, and purposes. The following types of networks will be discussed in this chapter:
Local Area Network (LAN)
Wide Area Network (WAN)
Wireless LAN (WLAN)
The different types of network topologies, protocols, and logical models as well as the hardware needed to create a network will also be discussed in this chapter. Configuration, troubleshooting, and preventive maintenance will be covered. You will also learn about network software, communication methods, and hardware relationships.
After completing this chapter, you will meet these objectives:
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 preventive maintenance techniques used for networks.
Troubleshoot a network.
Chapter 8 Worksheet - Please place in hand-in folder by Tuesday, June 5th
View your Chapter 8 Answer Key
Cisco - Chapter 9
Fundamentals of Security
Technicians need to understand computer and network security. Failure to implement proper security procedures can have an impact on users, computers, and the general public. Private information, company secrets, financial data, computer equipment, and items of national security are placed at risk if proper security procedures are not followed.
After completing this chapter, you will meet these objectives:
Explain why security is important.
Describe security threats.
Identify security procedures.
Identify common preventive maintenance techniques for security.
Troubleshoot security.
Complete the Chapter 9 Worksheet and place in the hand-in folder by the end of class on Friday
Cisco - Chapter 10 - Communication Skills
What is the relationship between communication skills and troubleshooting? As a computer technician, you will not only fix computers but will also interact with people. In fact, troubleshooting is as much about communicating with the customer as it is about knowing how to fix a computer. In this chapter, you will learn to use good communication skills as confidently as you use a screwdriver.
After completing this chapter, you will meet these objectives:
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 the call center environment and technician responsibilities.
Chapter 1 - 10 Review Questions
Exam is on Monday - good luck!
