Introduction to Computer Technology
Computer technology is an engineering course that emphasizes the practical study of computer hardware, and information technology. Students will learn the techniques of PC computer construction and repair. Students will also learn some of the science of computer technology, the business aspects of computer assembly and the ecological procedure of recycling computer parts.
Week 1 Summary: Orientation to Computer Technology
Week: 1 Day: 1
Instructor hands out course syllabus and other course paperwork. Students get notebook then see the video, "Revenge of the Nerds Part 1."
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Week: 1 Day: 2
Instructor shows PowerPoint presentation on basics of computing. Topics include input, output, processing, storage, binary numbers. NOTE: The PowerPoint Presentation is a very large file and may take a long time to download.
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Week: 1 Day: 3
Instructor provides orientation to the lab environment including locations, tools, spare parts, lockers. Safety and cleanup rules are also stressed.
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Week: 1 Day: 4
Continue Lab. Students practice setting up a PC and Windows navigation.
Week: 1 Day: 5
Evaluation/ Presentation. Students take written and practical tests
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Week 2 Summary: Inside the Chassis
Week: 2 Day: 1
Instructor demonstrates opening up the chassis then identifies the parts inside including drives, cables and cards.
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Week: 2 Day: 2
Instructor explains the ports and slots and chip layout on a motherboard. NOTE: The PowerPoint Presentation is a very large file and may take a long time to download.
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Week: 2 Day: 3
Students practice motherboard identification and diagramming.
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Week: 2 Day: 4
Students' group presentation on motherboard identification and design.
Week: 2 Day: 5
Evaluation/ Presentation. Students take written identification test. Instructor may also administer a longer history and identification quiz.
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Week 3 Summary: The Legacy PC
Week: 3 Day: 1
Students receive legacy PC and check to see if it works. They then open up the chassis and review parts.
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Week: 3 Day: 2
Instructor explains about processors and clock speed as well as discusses EM radiation. NOTE: The PowerPoint Presentation is a very large file and may take a long time to download.
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Week: 3 Day: 3
Students disassemble PC, upgrade memory and processor, and reassemble.
Week: 3 Day: 4
Students continue reasembly and troubleshoot bugs introduced by the instructor.
Week: 3 Day: 5
Evaluation/ Presentation. Students present their reports from lab.
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Week 4 Summary: The ATX PC
Week: 4 Day: 1
Guest speaker from Mission College explains degree program.
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Week: 4 Day: 2
Power Point Presentation. Instructor explains how to build an ATX machine from parts using best practices. NOTE: The PowerPoint Presentation is a very large file and may take a long time to download.
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Week: 4 Day: 3
Students assemble PC and format hard drive.
Week: 4 Day: 4
Students continue assembly, install Windows, and fix bugs introduced by the instructor.
Week: 4 Day: 5
Evaluation/ Presentation. Instructor inspects ATX build and grades based on completion and best practice.
Week 5 Summary: Windows Software and Drivers
Week: 5 Day: 1
Instructor demonstrates how to install older version of Windows.
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Week: 5 Day: 2
Instructor demonstrates how to optimize Windows and update drivers.
Week: 5 Day: 3
Students install Windows and update drivers
Week: 5 Day: 4
Students continue lab and fix bugs introduced by instructor.
Week: 5 Day: 5
Evaluation/ Presentation. Instructor inspects Windows and introduces errors to be fixed.
Week 6 Summary: The PC Industry and Market
Week: 6 Day: 1
Instructor shows video highlights from "Triumph of the Nerds" and explains the origin of the PC industry.
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Week: 6 Day: 2
Guest speaker from Intel (marketing or personnel) explains the PC business as he or she sees it.
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Week: 6 Day: 3
Students research PC prices and parts on the Internet to fit provided specifications for unique computer requirements.
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Week: 6 Day: 4
Students prepare PowerPoint presentation on researched topic introduced earlier
Week: 6 Day: 5
Evaluation/ Presentation. Students present above results for final review by class and instructor.
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