Information Technology 2: A+ track

Class Hours

A.     Introduction to Computer Hardware/Systems

          45

1.0   Know  the unit objectives and safety requirements.

1.1    Describe class attendance and behavior expectations.

1.2     Identify unit competencies.

1.3     Satisfy general course safety requirements.

1.4     Demonstrate the 4 work ethic words.

1

2.0    Display proper basic electrical safety and preventive maintenance.

2.1     Identify the potential hazards and proper safety procedures

         relating to lasers and high-voltage equipment.

2.2     Identify items that require special disposal procedures to comply with

         environmental guidelines.

2.3    Describe procedures and devices for protecting against environmental hazards.

2.4     Assess the purpose of various types of  preventive maintenance products and

         procedures and when to use them.

2.5    Demonstrate ESD (Electrostatic Discharge) precautions and procedures,

         including the use of ESD protection devices.

2.5

3.0    Use basic electronic principles and terms pertaining to computer

         hardware.

3.1    Apply basic electronic principles and terms.

3.2    Apply digital electronic principles and terms.

5

4.0     Understand basic terms, concepts, functions, and identification of 

   computer system modules.

4.1     Define the terms and uses of:  enclosures,  power supply, system motherboard,

          processor/cpu, memory, bios/firmware, cmos and battery,  storage devices and

          controllers, modems, video adapters,  sound cards,  monitor, keyboard, mouse.

4.2     Explain the computer system modules using the correct terms, concepts, and

          functions.

7.5

5.0     Demonstrate knowledge of common peripheral ports,  associated cabling,

          and the connectors.

5.1     Identify peripheral ports.

5.2    Describe cable types and orientation.

5.3        Select correct connector types.

5.4        Describe specifications of USB and its uses

8

6.0    Understand system motherboard operation, architecture, and components.

6.1    Distinguish between the popular cpu chips in terms of basic characteristics

6.2    Identify the categories of  ram (random access memory) terminology and

          physical characteristics

6.3    identify the most popular type of motherboards and the architectures

6.4    Describe the purpose of cmos (complementary metal-oxide semiconductor),

         what it contains, and how to change its basic parameters

8

7.0    Demonstrate the system boot up process.         

7.1    Identify system power distribution and detection

7.2    Describe the purpose and sequence of the post (power on self test)

7.3    Discuss the purpose and sequence of the os (operating system)

8

8.0     Distinguish between portable computers and the unique components.

8.1     Describe types of portable computers.

8.2    Identify portable computer components.

5

B.      System Configuration and Management

          45

1.0    Know  the unit objectives and safety requirements.

1.1    Describe class attendance and behavior expectations.

1.2     Identify unit competencies.

1.3     Satisfy general course safety requirements.

1.4    Demonstrate the 4 work ethic words.

1

2.0     Demonstrate  basic procedures for adding and removing field  replaceable

         modules.

2.1     Identify field replaceable modules, including: power supply,  processor/cpu,

          memory,  storage devices and controllers,  adapter cards,  motherboard,

         cmos battery

2,2     Follow procedures for replaceable modules,

5

3.0    Configure available IRQs, DMAs, and  I/O addresses for device installation.

3.1    Identify standard IRQ settings  

3.2    Identify standard DMA settings

3.3    Identify standard I/O addresses

3.4   Configure addresses for device installation

2.5

4.0    Use proper procedures for installing and configuring peripheral devices,

         associated drivers, and CMOS settings.

4.1    Install and configure video adapter

4.2    Install and configure  CD-ROM drive

4.3    Install and configure hard drive

7.5

5.0    Know hardware methods and appropriate use of  system optimization.

5.1    Perform memory upgrade

5.2    Demonstrate knowledge of v-ram

2.5

6.0     Identify common hardware symptoms and problems and troubleshooting

          steps.

6.1     Isolate the problems associated with each module including: keyboard,  mouse,

          power supply, storage devices, processor/cpu, memory, ports, sound/speakers,

          video/monitor, modem, motherboard,  bios/cmos

6.2     Select troubleshooting steps to resolve identified problems with each module,

10

7.0      Use troubleshooting tools and techniques to isolate system problems.

7.1      Identify post test failures

7.2      Demonstrate use of  a multimeter

7.3            Use diagnostic software

7.4      Use virus software and update

7.5

8.0      Demonstrate basic troubleshooting procedures and good practices for

           eliciting problem symptoms from customers.

8.1     Identify system failure

8.2     Isolate system  failure

8.3     Repair system failure

4

9.0      Know basic printer concepts, printer operations,  and printer

          components needed to provide service.

9.1     Demonstrate care and service techniques and common problems with primary

          printer types

9.2     Connect and configure printers.

5

C.       Desktop Operating Systems     

          45

1.0    Know  the unit objectives and safety requirements.

1.1    Describe class attendance and behavior expectations.

1.2     Identify unit competencies.

1.3     Satisfy general course safety requirements.

1.4    Demonstrate the 4 work ethic words.

1

2.0    Use correct  basic DOS terms, functions, uses, and  switches.

2.1     Change directories.

2.2     Clear screen

2.3     Make and remove directories

2.4     Delete , undelete, and erase a file

2.5     Format  and unformat a disk

2.6     Check the hard drive

2.7     Check temporary memory

2.8     Change the time and date

2.9     Check version of DOS being used

2.10   Display contents  of a file

2.11   Identify most common types of files

9

3.0      Install MS-DOS

3.1       Boot computer using installation disk

3.2      Install MS-DOS on the hard drive

3.3      Reboot computer without the installation disk

3.4      Create and configure batch files

3.5      Use DOS editor

5

4.0      Install  WIN 95/98

4.1      History of Windows 3.11 and use of INI for legacy purposes

4.2     Boot computer using installation disk

4.3     Install WIN 95/98 on the hard drive

4.4     Reboot computer without the installation disk

5

5.0      Use correct basic WIN 95/98 terms, functions, uses, and switches

5.1      Start WIN 95/98

5.2      Change window  sizes

5.3      Control menus

5.4       Select mouse buttons

5.5       Conduct emergency startups

5.6       Select task bar

5.7       Use documents

5.8       Set up explorer

5

6.0       Demonstrate use of WIN 95/98  accessories

6.1       Use help

6.2       Arrange icons

6.3       Use calculator

6.4       Use notepad

6.5       Use paint

6.6       Use clipboard

6.7       Discuss other utilities such as Drive Image and Ghost

5

7.0  Set up extra utilities in WIN 95/98

7.1       Set up Hyperterminal

7.2       Set up DOS base applications

7.3       Set up printing functions

7.4       Set up fonts and viewers

7.5       Set up system tools

7.6       Set up multimedia

7.7       Set up plug and play

5

7.8       Set up networking components in 95/98

7.9       Set up and configure network card

7.10      Set up protocols (NetBEUI)

7.11      Set up file and print sharing

7.12      Setup security access

7.13      Set up folders to be shared

7.14      Set up naming conventions

10

8.0       Linux

8.1       Basic Linux concepts

5

D.      Career Preparation/A+ Certification Preparation

          45

1.0     Know  the unit objectives and safety requirements.

1.1    Describe class attendance and behavior expectations.

1.2     Identify unit competencies.

1.3    Satisfy general course safety requirements.

2.0     Identify the career opportunities and requirements for Information

          Technology

2.1     Identify entry, technical,  and professional level jobs, job categories.

2.2     Research the occupational and educational requirements for the various levels

           of jobs

2.3      Analyze the current and projected labor demand and employment trends

2.4      Identify the types of equipment and technology used in the industry

2.5      Prepare a career plan

2.6      Describe the requirements for  certificate and degree programs

2.7      Know preparation requirements for competitive exams.

1

3.0     Develop job acquisition skills

3.1      Prepare a resume, cover letter, employment application, and letter of reference

3.2     Develop a list of job search techniques

3.3      Conduct a mock interview

3.4      Display proper dress, appearance, and hygiene for a job interview

3.5       Know the documents needed to demonstrate a legal right to work.

5

4.0       Understand employer expectations for keeping a job

4.1       Demonstrate work ethics: trustworthy, responsible, respectful, fair

4.2       Identify employer expectations regarding punctuality, attendance, customer   

            service, attitude, appearance, grooming, hygiene

4.3       Define roles of supervisors in a chain of command

4.4       Demonstrate appropriate communications ( written and oral needed in the

            Workplace

4.5       Know procedures for responding to workplace issues, such as sexual

            harassment and cultural diversity.

4.6       Identify types of benefit coverage and expectations

4.7       Keep records, such as time cards, as required in the workplace

4.8      Demonstrate the ability to manage time and responsibilities.

5

5.0     Understand the requirements for the A+ Certification Test

5.1     Know the components of the test

5.2     Know where and when the test is offered

5.3     Know the industry expectations for the  certification

5

6.0    Develop test-taking strategies

6.1    Practice a variety of test taking strategies

6.2   Select  appropriate strategies for  various components of tests

4

7.0   Demonstrate ability to apply  all components  of Information Technology: 

7.1   Hardware/Systems

7.2   Apply information from Introduction to Computer Hardware to a real situation.

7.3   Apply information from System Configuration and Management to a real    

         situation.

7.4   Apply information from Desktop Operating Systems to a real situation.

7.5   Apply information from Introduction to Networking  to a real situation.

  Apply information from Introduction to Customer Support to a real situation,

5

8.0  Practice test taking for the A+ Certification.

8.1   Take sample tests in preparation for A+ Certification

8.2    Analyze areas of test preparation weakness and construct additional assistance           needed to prepare for A+ Certification.

10

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY: A+ Track                                          Total Hours:           

10

180