Course | Madison College Outline of Instruction

10154189Computer Hardware Essentials

Course Information

Description

This course presents a comprehensive overview of computer system fundamentals and an introduction to operating systems. Students working through hands-on activities and labs gain skills in assembling components, install, configure and maintain devices,PCs and operating system software, understand the basics of networking and security, laptops, printers, and properly diagnose, resolve common hardware and software issues while applying troubleshooting skills. CompTIA's A+ Certification is a widely accepted IT industry standard certification for PC technology for an entry-level IT professional. This course prepares students for CompTIA's A+ 220-801 exam.

Total Credits

Course Competencies

Summarize the IT industry certifications and communication skills required by technicians.

Assessment Strategies

by completing the assigned lab exercise(s)

by participating in the class session

by attaining a 70% or better on unit test

by completing out of class assignments

Criteria

you identify IT industry certifications

you describe the A+ Certification

you explain the relationship between communication and troubleshooting

you describe good communication skills and professional behavior

you explain ethics and legal aspects of working with computer technology

you describe level-one and level-two technician responsibilities

you describe proper professional behavior with a customer

you can describe the call center environment
Summarize the safe lab procedures and the basics of preventative maintenance.

Assessment Strategies

by completing lab exercise(s)

by participating in the class discussion

by attaining a 70% or better on unit test

by completing out of class assignments

Criteria

you explain the purpose of safe working conditions and procedures

you identify safety procedures and potential hazards for users and technicians

you can identify safety procedures to protect the environment from contamination

you can identify hardware tools and their purpose

you can identify organizational tools and their purpose

you can demonstrate the proper tool use

you can explain the purpose of preventive maintenance

you can identify the steps of the troubleshooting process

you can describe the process of gathering data from the customer and computer

you can evaluate a problem and implement the solution
Identify the main components of a PC.

Assessment Strategies

by completing lab exercise(s)

by attaining a 70% or better on unit test

by participating in class discussion

by completing out of class assignments

Criteria

you can identify the main components of a computer

you can convert a binary number to a decimal number

you can distinguish between bits and bytes

you can differentiate hexadecimal from decimal numbers

you can evaluate and select appropriate computer case styles

you can create a computer workspace and select appropriate tools

you can identify environmental and safety concerns involved in working with computers

you can formulate a troubleshooting plan

you can describe situations requiring replacement of computer components

you can describe hardware configurations for task-specific computers
Summarize the basic electrical concepts and safety issues as they apply to the PC.

Assessment Strategies

by completing lab exercise(s)

by attaining a 70% or better on unit test

by participating in class discussion

by completing out of class assignments

Criteria

you are able to evaluate an appropriate power supply for your system and motherboard

you are able to install or replace a power supply

you are able to troubleshoot power supply problems and determine whether the problem lies with the power supply, its connections to the system, or whether the problem is external

you are able to test resistance and voltage using a multimeter

you are able to identify the form factor of a power supply

you are able to identify the different devices available for protecting power supply from over or under voltage.

you are able to calculate the amount of power needed for a system

you enter into class discussions about installing a motherboard

you offer questions or comments during class about installing a motherboard

you attend class regularly

you arrive for class on time

you listen attentively during class
Install and summarize the various motherboard types, form factors and processor installations.

Assessment Strategies

by completing lab exercise(s)

by attaining a 70% or better on unit test

by participating in class discussion

by completing out of class assignments

Criteria

you are able to choose an appropriate motherboard for an upgrade

you are able to identify, remove and install a motherboard

you are able to upgrade a computer's BIOS to support a new functions.

you enter into class discussions about how to upgrade and troubleshoot memory

you are able to interpret BIOS error signals and messages.

you are able to identify a failing processor

you are able to determine and analyze processor specifications

you are able to safely remove and install a processor

you are able to install a cooling system for a processor

you are able to differentiate among the socket types for Intel and AMD processors
Explain memory types and installation troubleshooting.

Assessment Strategies

by completing lab exercise(s)

by attaining a 70% or better on unit test

by participating in class discussion

by completing out of class assignments

Criteria

you are able to discuss how memory works in a computer

you are able to identify different memory form factors

you are able to discuss and compare DRAM technologies

you are able to select the appropriate memory modules for upgrading a PC

you are able to properly install memory modules

you are able to troubleshoot memory problems
Analyze Bus types and system resources.

Assessment Strategies

by completing lab exercise(s)

by attaining a 70% or better on unit test

by participating in class discussion

by completing out of class assignments

Criteria

you are able to identify and describe the two main bus structures found in the computer

you can discuss bus architectures in terms of their performance and use

you can identify the types of system resources and how they are used

you can evaluate and compare motherboards in terms of their supported bus structures and expansion slots

you can select an expansion card compatible with a motherboard's expansion buses and slots

you are able to install an expansion card

you are able troubleshoot expansion card problems
Summarize the components and characteristics of hard drives and how they work.

Assessment Strategies

by completing lab exercise(s)

by attaining a 70% or better on unit test

by participating in class discussion

by completing out of class assignments

Criteria

you are able to compare hard drives in terms of industry standard ratings

you are able to identify recent hard drive standards

you are able to distinguish unique installation considerations for different hard drive technologies

you are able to choose an appropriate hard drive and interface for an existing computer

you are able to install, partition, and format a hard drive

you are able to use system utilities to review the status of a hard drive

you are able to troubleshoot a faulty hard drive

you are able to describe the different types of RAID systems
Explain popular removable storage technologies.

Assessment Strategies

by completing lab exercise(s)

by attaining a 70% or better on unit test

by participating in class discussion

by completing out of class assignments

Criteria

you are able to identify different types of optical drives

you are able to identify different types of flash memory devices

you are able to evaluate removable storage device in terms of its technology, interface, and capacity

you are able to choose an appropriate technology and device for removable storage

you are able to install an optical drive

you are able to troubleshoot a failing storage device
Evaluate and compare current I/O interface technologies.

Assessment Strategies

by completing lab exercise(s)

by attaining a 70% or better on unit test

by participating in class discussion

by completing out of class assignments

Criteria

you are able to identify I/O ports and connectors

you are able evaluate and compare current I/O interface technologies

you are able to identify different types of I/O devices

you are able to discuss and compare technologies used by popular devices

you are able to install and configure common I/O devices

you are able to troubleshoot problems with I/O devices
Explain the purpose and functions of an operating system.

Assessment Strategies

by completing lab exercise(s)

by attaining a 70% or better on unit test

by participating in class discussion

by completing out of class assignments

Criteria

you are able to explain the purpose of an operating system

you are able to describe characteristics of modern operating systems

you are able to explain operating system concepts

you are able to determine minimum hardware requirements and compatibility with the operating system

you are able to install the operating system using default settings

you are able to identify the boot sequence files and registry files

you are able to describe how to manipulate operating system files

you are able to compare and contrast a default installation and a custom installation

you are able to create, view, and manage disks, directories, and files

you are able to identify procedures and utilities used to optimize the performance of operating systems

you are able to describe preventive maintenance procedures for operating systems

you are able to troubleshoot operating systems

you are able to explain client-side virtualization

you are able to explore common tools and applets of the Windows GUI
Evaluate and compare different types of portable systems.

Assessment Strategies

by completing lab exercise(s)

by attaining a 70% or better on unit test

by participating in class discussion

by completing out of class assignments

Criteria

you will be to identify and describe laptop components

you will be able to evaluate and compare different types of portable systems

you will be a able to maintain and manage a laptop

you will be able to upgrade a laptop's hard drive or memory

you will be able to describe laptop display components

you can describe how to configure laptop power settings

you can identify common preventive maintenance techniques for laptops and portable devices

you can describe wireless communication methods for laptops and portable devices

you can describe how to troubleshoot a laptop
Identify different printers and their key components and functions.

Assessment Strategies

by completing lab exercise(s)

by attaining 70% or better on unit test

by participating in class discussion

by completing out of class assignments

Criteria

you can identify different printers and their key components

you can install and configure a printer

you can clean and maintain a printer

you can identify the processes of printing in laser printers

you can share a printer in the operating system

you can connect to a network printer

you can describe how to install and update the device driver

you can describe printer to computer interfaces

you can identify and apply common preventive maintenance techniques for printers and scanners

you can troubleshoot printers
Evaluate and compare types of networks, protocols, network transmission media and hardware.

Assessment Strategies

by completing lab exercise(s)

by attaining 70% or better on unit test

by participating in class discussion

by completing out of class assignment(s)

Criteria

you can evaluate and compare types of network protocols, topologies, and architectures

you can identify different types of transmission media

you can configure a computer for a connection to a network or the internet

you can evaluate network connectivity devices

you can explain the principles of networking

you can explain peer-to-peer networks

you can explain client/server networks

you can describe basic networking concepts and technologies

you can explain bandwidth and data transmission

you can describe IP addressing

you can describe DHCP

you can describe the physical components of a network

you can identify Ethernet standards

you can define the OSI and TCP/IP models

you can define VoIP, and power line technologies

you can define current broadband technologies

you can do basic troubleshooting of a network

you are able to connect a computer to a wired network and a wireless network
Evaluate security threats and techniques for security.

Assessment Strategies

by completing lab exercise(s)

by attaining a 70% or better on unit test

by participating in class discussion

by completing out of class assignment(s)

Criteria

you can explain why security is important

you can describe security threats

you can define viruses, worms, and Trojans

you can define adware, spyware, and grayware

you can identify security procedures

you can explain what is required in a basic local security policy

you can explain web security, denial of service, social engineering, TCP/IP attacks

you can explain data wiping, hard drive destruction and recycling

you can outline security requirements based on customer needs

you can describe and compare firewall types

you can describe protection against malicious software

you can explain data backup procedures, access to backups, and secure physical backup media

you can identify common problems and solutions
Disassemble and assemble a computer using best practice procedures.

Assessment Strategies

by completing lab exercise(s)

by attaining a 70% or better on unit test

by participating in class discussion

by completing out of class assignment(s)

Criteria

you can explain safe lab procedures and tool use

you are able to remove all the components from inside a computer case

you are able to install all the components into a computer using best practices

you are able to install and attach external components of the computer using best practices

you are able to boot the computer and verify a successful boot

you enter into class discussions about approaches to troubleshooting problem