A+ Certified Technician

Course SyllabusMCTC Course: 781 Dual Credit: CIT111 (4 hours, West KY Community & Technical College)Prerequisites: Computer (IT) Essentials 780COURSE DESCRIPTION: Introduces advanced tasks such as installation, building, repairing, configuration, troubleshooting, optimizing, diagnosing, and preventive maintenance in the context of field service or enterprise environment. Appropriate for those who work, or plan to work, in a mobile or corporate environment, or hold a position characterized by a high-level of in-person customer interaction. This course maps closely to the CompTIA A+ 220-702 Industry Certification Exam.

TO SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE THIS COURSE:

  1. Read through the curriculum, answer the questions on the study guide as you read. Dedicate 1-2 hours each week of time at home for reading and studying.

  2. Take detailed notes of useful information discussed in class or found in curriculum.

  3. Complete all labs, worksheets, and assignments.

  4. Review the chapter powerpoint - be sure to take good notes.

  5. As you review for the exam, don't try to cram, instead ask questions and try to understand why.

COURSE ASSIGNMENTS AND PROJECTS:

ASSIGNMENT: Course Syllabus (25pts)

Directions: Take your syllabus home, look over it with your parents/guardians, then bring it back signed.

Career Presentation Assignment

CH 11 - Advanced Personal Computer

Study Guide (123pts)

ASSIGNMENT: Create a General Computer Safety Quiz for all students to take in IT courses. Must include at least 20 questions (MC, T/F) and at least one open response. Due: Friday, August 31.

ASSIGNMENT: Computer Shopping Assignment (50pts)

Labs - 11.4.1 Install a NIC (50pts) | 11.4.3 Install Additional RAM (50pts) | 11.4.4 BIOS File Search (50pts)

11.4.5 Install a Second HDD (50pts)

CH 12 - Advanced Operating Systems

Study Guide (50pts)

Labs - 12.2.2 Advanced XP Installation (use Virtual Box, 50pts)

12.2.3 Create a Partition in WinXP Pro (use Virtual Box installation, 50pts)

12.4.1 Schedule Task (use Virtual Box installation, 50pts)

CH 13 - Advanced Laptops and Portable Devices

Study Guide (93pts)

Worksheet - 13.3.4 Laptop RAM (50pts)

GPS Assignment (50pts)

The purpose of this track is to help students explore and understand GPS and Geographical Information Systems (GIS). Students will be challenged to explain and evaluate the impact it has made on their lives, and they will be given an opportunity to learn about careers in GIS.

DIRECTIONS: Click the track link, Track #375757, and then select "View in Frames." Visit each of the seven (7) web sites listed in the left frame; for each site refer to the directions in the top frame. Make sure you answer all the questions.

CH 14 - Advanced Printers and Scanners

Study Guide (48pts)

Labs - Read over 14.2.4 Install Printer/Scanner, 14.3.2 Share the Printer, and 14.4.2 Scanner Optimization labs; you don't have to complete these labs, but there could be questions on the chapter exam directly related to info in the labs.

CH 15 - Advanced Networks [IPv4 and Subnet Addressing Lesson Plans]

Study Guide (78pts)

Labs - 15.4.2b Sharing Folders/Printers (50pts) | 15.5.1 Install a Wireless NIC (50pts)

15.5.2 Configure a Wireless Router (50pts) | 15.5.3 Test the Wireless NIC (50pts)

Worksheets - 15.2.2 Protocols (50pts) | 15.3.2 ISP Connection Types (50pts)

IPv6

Are you ready for a new address? Read this IPv6 Article to get a basic understanding of why we need a new internet addressing scheme, but refer to this IPv6 TUTORIAL to learn more about how IPv6 works.

If you want some serious BONUS points, then register and complete the Hurricane IPv6 Certification, and I'll make it worth your time!

CH 16 - Advanced Security

Study Guide (56pts)

Worksheet - 16.1.1 Security Policy Questions (50pts)

ASSIGNMENT - Don't Blow Your Next IT Security Job Interview (50 points)

Read the article at this link, then write a response that includes the following:

1. Summary

2. 3 Major ideas that impacted you and why

3. Between now and your first big IT job (doesn't have to be security) what 2 things do you need to do to prepare and make yourself more employable? Explain why.

ASSIGNMENT - 9 Classic Hacking, Phishing, and Social Engineering Lies (50pts)

Read the article found at the above link, then write down the following and turn in for a grade:

    1. Explain a time when you personally have seen one of these lies attempted on you or your family.

    2. List any other scams or lies not mentioned in the article that we should be aware of.

Windows 7

Labs - 5.4.2 Lab Install 7 | 5.4.8 Lab Managing System Files in 7 | 5.5.1 Lab 7 Run Commands

5.6.2 Lab 7 Restore Points | 8.9.2 Lab Configure DHCP in 7

12.2.3 Lab Create and Convert Partition in Windows 7 | 16.3.2 Lab Configure Windows 7 Firewall

CompTIA A+ CertificationTo become A+ Certified, you must successfully complete two CompTIA A+ exams:

    • Essentials (220-701)

  • Practical Application (220-702)

After you complete the IT Essentials: PC Hardware and Software course with a score of at least 75 percent on the final exam and your instructor enters a “P” in the gradebook, a link to request a coupon will appear on your Academy Connection Student Home page, in the Career Development section. You can use the same link to request your second coupon. Ask your teacher if your school has a CompTIA member number – if so, enter it in the appropriate location on the request form.

After you have received your unique coupon number from the CompTIA website, you should save or print it for future reference when registering for an exam at a test center.

Next, go to PearsonVUE, create an account, and schedule a day to take the first exam. The closest testing center is in Paducah, at the WKCTC campus.

Now that you're registered, it's time to start studying and reviewing for the exam. You can buy books and software that will help you prepare for the exam.

You can also find websites that give you practice questions to help you prepare for the exam:

Cloud Computing

You've heard the term "cloud computing" but do you know what it is? Leon Erlanger, with InfoWorld, suggests that cloud computing will eliminate some blue collar IT jobs and create a need for more business minded IT professionals. Could this potentially affect your future career in or related to IT?

ASSIGNMENT: Cloud Computing Presentation (50pts)

Read through the following website articles, then create a presentation that meets these requirements:

Definition of Cloud Computing | Tech Jobs that the Cloud Will Eliminate | Demystifying the Cloud

    • Must answer these questions as you create the presentation:

    • What is cloud computing? (in your own words)

    • What's the difference between cloud computing and the methods currently used by business and industry?

    • How will this affect the future of information technology?

    • How do you recommend a student in high school and college prepare for a future in IT with cloud computing in mind?

    • Minimum 8-10 slides, follow the 6 X 7 guideline (no more than 6 lines per slide, no more than 7 words per line).

    • Include pictures and diagrams if necessary.

    • Cite all sources for your information in the MLA format. Refer to CitationMachine.net for help.

HyperText Markup Language (HMTL)

HTML is the basic language used to create web pages. Start by following the directions found on this helpful tutorial from w3schools.com; as you learn new tags, create your own website to experiment with HTML and help you understand it better.