IT 105

Computer Maintenance Essentials

3 Credit Hours

Instructor:            Chet Cunningham                                   Semester:       Fall 2009

Office:                   261 JHG                                                Lecture:           MW 9:30 – 10:45 p.m.

Office Phone:        (270) 824-8699                                      Room:              254 JHG

Instructor E-mail: Chet.Cunningham@kctcs.edu                  Home Phone:  (270) 884-7540

Website:                www.madisonville.kctcs.edu/ccunningham

 

Office Hours:

Monday & Wednesday: 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Tuesday & Thursday: 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

& others by appointment

 

Textbooks: CompTIA A+ Guide to Managing & Maintaining Your PC. 6th Edition.

Andrews. Course Technology. 2008.

ISBN: 0-619-21758-8.

 

Course Description

Introduces basic computer hardware and operating systems covering skills such as installing, building, upgrading, repairing, configuring, troubleshooting, optimizing, diagnosing and preventive maintenance with additional elements of soft skills and security. Course objectives map closely to the CompTIA A+ Essentials National Examination that validates the basic skills needed by any entry-level computer service technician.

 

Course Competencies

Upon completion of this course the student can:

1.   Identify the names, purposes, and characteristics of storage devices, motherboards, power supplies, processors, cooling systems, memory, display devices, input devices, adapter cards, ports, and cables.

2.   Install, configure, optimize, and upgrade personal computer components including internal and external storage devices, display devices, basic input, and multimedia devices.

3.   Identify tools, diagnostic procedures, and troubleshooting techniques for personal computer components.

4.   Perform preventive maintenance on personal computer components.

5.   Install, configure, upgrade and support laptops and portable devices and identify the names, purposes and characteristics of laptop specific computer components.

6.   Install, configure, optimize and upgrade the current Windows client operating systems.

7.   Identify names, locations, purposes and characteristics of operating system files.

8.   Create, view and manage disks, directories and files in Windows operating systems.

9.   Identify tools, diagnostic procedures and troubleshooting techniques for operating systems

10.  Perform preventive maintenance on Windows operating systems.

11.  Identify the names, purposes and characteristics of printer and scanner components, ports and cables.

12.  Install, configure, optimize, troubleshoot and upgrade printers and scanners.

13.  Describe basic networking concepts including cables, connectors, and connection types.

14.  Install, configure, and troubleshoot network cards, and manage wired and wireless connections.

15.  Identify the fundamental principles of security including smart cards, authentication technologies, malicious software protection, firewalls, file system security, wireless network security, data and physical security.

16.  Diagnose and troubleshoot hardware, software and data security issues.

17.  Identify potential safety hazards and take preventative action including proper disposal.

18.  Use good communication skills and demonstrate professional behavior.

19.  Convert among decimal, binary, and hexadecimal number systems.

 

Across the Curriculum Competencies

 

Writing Across the Curriculum:

To satisfy the new general education requirements of writing across the curriculum,

      "All faculty are expected to call attention to and penalize for errors in English usage and require the rewriting of papers which do not meet acceptable standards."  (CCS Rules, Section V, 2.32)

 

 

 

General Education Competencies:

I.    Communicate Effectively

      1.   Read and listen with comprehension.

    1. Students must read and understand material to successfully complete the assignments.

Assessment: Complete comprehensive projects after reading the text.

2.   Speak and write clearly using standard English.

            a.   Students will demonstrate with presentations and various writing assignments.

                  Assessment: Complete various writing assignments using appropriate and correct English.

  1. Demonstrate information processing through basic computer skills.
    1. Students will demonstrate basic computer skills through successful completion of assignments.

Assessment: Complete comprehensive projects after reading the text.

II.   Think Critically

1.   Demonstrate problem solving through interpreting, analyzing, summarizing, and/or integrating a variety of materials.

a.   Students will demonstrate problem solving skills by successfully completing the assignments.

Assessment: Complete comprehensive projects after reading the text.

 

 

Prerequisites

Computer literacy and placement in MT120 or MT125 – or - Consent of Instructor.

 

Supplies

Each student is required to utilize their student e-mail address for this course.

 

Grading

 


Course Grade

% of
Grade

 

Grading Scale

Announced examinations (3)

  45

 

A

90- 100%

Laboratory and out-of-class assignments

  50

 

B

89 - 80 %

Attendance/Participation

   5

 

C

79 - 70 %

Total:

100%

 

D

69 - 60 %

 

 

 

F

Below 60%

 

Instructional Methods

A combination of classroom lectures/discussions, hands-on chapter exercises and labs and chapter tests will be utilized to help you gain proficiency in the application of computer concepts and principles.

 

Hands-on Chapter Projects

You will be responsible for reading and understanding each assigned chapter. Additionally, most students will have to spend time outside of class to complete hands on projects. Each assignment should be properly labeled.

 

Make sure your name and exercise number appear at the top of the page.  If an exercise has multiple sheets, then staple them together. Do not staple different assignments together. Disorganized assignments (pages out of order, mislabeled, unreadable, etc.) will receive a grade of zero. If there are multiple sheets are to be handed in, then sequence them according to the order you were told to print them in the exercise.

 

Course Policies

 

Hands-on Classroom Rules:

This class will be held in a computer classroom and the following rules must be understood and followed:

 

1.       NO FOOD OR DRINK ALLOWED IN THE CLASSROOM AT ANYTIME!!!!!!

2.       Computers and equipment have the sole purpose of providing class-related activities.  Do not install ANY software or make any changes to the computers unless instructed to do so.

3.       Please arrive on time and expect to stay the entire class period.

4.       Please do not use your computer during class discussions unless told to do so.

5.       Turn in your assignments on time!  Use the class time wisely.  If you miss class, it is your responsibility to get your assignments done outside of class

6.       Please pay attention during class instructions and demonstrations.

7.       Unless directed otherwise, use the same computer each class.

8.       Use courtesy when using the printer, it is shared.

9.       If you have questions please ask the instructor instead of disturbing your neighbor.

 

Examination Policy:

Three announced examinations. No make-up exams will be allowed without prior arrangements being made. Make-up exams must be taken when scheduled

 

Late Assignment Policy:

Laboratory assignments should be handed in immediately BEFORE lecture begins on the specified due date. Laboratory assignments handed in after lecture begins are considered late.  No assignments will be accepted more than one week late. Late assignments receive a 50% penalty.

 

Cheating Policy:

Students are expected to uphold the school’s standard of conduct relating to academic honesty. Students assume full responsibility for the content and integrity of the academic work they submit. The guiding principle of academic integrity shall be that a student's submitted work; examinations, reports, and projects must be that of the student's own work. Students shall be guilty of violating the honor code if they:

 

1.       Represent the work of others as their own.

2.       Use or obtain unauthorized assistance in any academic work.

3.       Give unauthorized assistance to other students.

4.       Modify, without instructor approval, an examination, paper, record, or report for the purpose of obtaining additional credit.

5.       Misrepresent the content of submitted work.

 

The penalty for violating the honor code is severe. Any student violating the honor code is subject to receive a failing grade for the course and will be reported to the Office of Student Affairs. If a student is unclear about whether a particular situation may constitute an honor code violation, the student should meet with the instructor to discuss the situation.

 

For this class, it is permissible to assist classmates in general discussions of computing techniques. General advice and interaction are encouraged. Each person, however, must develop his or her own solutions to the assigned projects, assignments, and tasks. In other words, students may not "work together" on graded assignments. Such collaboration constitutes cheating. A student may not use or copy (by any means) another's work (or portions of it) and represent it as his/her own. If you need help on an assignment, contact your instructor, not other classmates.

 

Incomplete Policy:

Incompletes will only be considered in the most extreme cases of hardship.

 

Make-up Policy:

Make-up exams will be given ONLY in the most extreme cases of hardship or unavoidable interruption of participation. These are handled on an individual basis.

 

Student Conduct In Class Policy:

Any acts of classroom disruption that go beyond the normal rights of students to question and discuss with instructors the educational process relative to subject content will not be tolerated, in accordance with the Academic Code of Conduct described in the Student Handbook.  The Student Code of Conduct is available on the web at http://www.kctcs.edu/student/code.htm.

 

Children In Class Policy:

Only in extreme cases are children allowed in classroom or laboratory facilities, and then only with approval of the instructor prior to class.

 

Electronic Devices In Class Policy:

Cellular phones, pagers, CD players, radios, and similar devices are prohibited in the classroom and laboratory facilities. Calculators and computers are prohibited during examinations and quizzes, unless specified. Reasonable laptop-size computers may be used in lecture for the purpose of taking notes.

 

Attendance Policy:

Regular attendance and punctuality are expected for successful completion of this course.  It is the student’s full responsibility to contact the instructor in reference to all missed work incurred while absent.

 

 

Withdrawal Policy:

The last day for a student to officially withdraw from class with a grade of "W" at his or her discretion is October 19.  After this date, the instructor’s signature is required to withdrawal.

 

Inclement Weather Policy:

In cases of inclement weather please listen to area radio and television stations for cancellations.

 

Disabilities Policy

If you have a documented disability and need any type of accommodation, you are required to register with the Disability Resource Coordinator.  Contact Valerie Wolfe, Disability Resource Coordinator, Room 139 JHG, 270-824-1708.

 

This syllabus is tentative and subject to change at the discretion of the instructor to meet class needs.

 

Tentative Course Schedule

IT 105

Fall 2009

 

Class Meeting

Activity

8/17

Course Introduction

8/19, 8/24 & 8/26

Chapter 1

8/31, 9/2 & 9/9

Chapter 2

9/14, 9/16 & 9/21

Chapter 3

9/23

Chapter 4

9/28

Exam 1

9/30 & 10/5

Chapter 4

10/5 & 10/7

Chapter 5

10/12-10/16

FALL BREAK

10/19

Chapter 5

10/21, 10/26 & 10/28

Chapter 6

11/2

Chapter 7

11/4

Exam 2

11/9 & 11/11

Chapter 7

11/16 & 11/18

Chapter 8

11/23 & 11/25

Chapter 9

11/30 & 12/2

Chapter 10

Final Exam

Exam 3