Period 1 – TestOut PC Pro – Spring 2020

Period 1 – IT PC Pro – Spring 2020

Basic Course Information

Course Name: IT PC Pro
Course Section: Period 1
Semester: Spring 2020
Credits: 3
Prerequisites/Co-requisites: None
Meetings/Times: Mon-Fri 7:50 AM –   8:45 AM – Period 1
Location: HS – 228 (MWF) HS – Robotics Lab (TTh starting 20 August)

Instructor Information

Instructor: Wayne Cook, Head of Computer Science Department, CEC-FC
Office Phone: (970) 337-0044
Email: [email protected]
HS Web Site: https://fortcollins.coloradoearlycolleges.org
Office Location: CEC-FC HS 228 (M-F) and 417 (by appointment)
Office Hours: Tuesday or Thursday (4^th/7^th periods), by appointment 6^th period
Department Contact: N/A

Course Materials

• TestOut PC Pro – ISBN: 978-1-935080-42-8
• Course materials are mostly on-line. The manual is the TestOut IT PC Pro course and can be referenced through the TestOut interface. Scores for the on-line portion will be kept in TestOut and in Infinite Campus.
• Windows 10
• PCs in room 228 for use in taking the course. We will take roll in room 228 each day.
• PCs in room 417 for use in learning computer components and how to repair them.
• IFixIt tool kit (provided by the school to use at school).
• Testing and other tools for testing and building/repairing computers.
• You need at least two ways to store your files, your OneDrive account, a USB Flash drive, emailing it to yourself, your hard drive (at home), student storage or submitting to Infinite Campus.  Put your name on all flash drives.  Having a storage device fail or lost will NOT be an accepted excuse for turning in your assignments late.  Most of the time you will be turning in assignments electronically through Infinite Campus or Cengage.

TestOut PC Pro Description

TestOut PC Pro prepares students for the TestOut PC Pro and CompTIA A+ 220-1001 (Core 1) and 220-1002 (Core 2) certification exams. Students use multiple learning formats to learn how to install, manage, and secure computer hardware and master home and corporate OS environments.

Welcome Message

Welcome to TestOut PC Pro. Most of the work will be completed 0n-line. If you have any questions, please ask those questions when they occur. There will be some lab time mixed in with the on-line work. At the end of the semester, every student is given the opportunity to take the TestOut PC Pro Certification Test. If you do well, you will also be given the opportunity to take CompTIA A+ Certification Exam. Please stick to the schedule at the bottom of this document to be prepared to take the two certification tests. The semester passes quickly, make sure to keep to the schedule to do well. Be prepared to:

1. After working through Chapter 10, prepare a list of parts to build a computer, for a maximum of $1,000.
2. Earn TestOut PC Pro Certification
3. Pass this test, earn the opportunity to take the CompTIA A+ Certification exam.

General Required Syllabus Information

This course is designed to prepare you to pass the TestOut PC Pro and CompTIA A+ certifications. The TestOut PC Pro certification is the first exam of the TestOut Pro certifications. This certification measures not just what you know, but what you can do. It measures your ability to install, manage, repair, and troubleshoot PC hardware and Windows, Linux, and Mac operating systems.

Prerequisites

Before you take this course, you should have a basic understanding of computers. You should be familiar with how to:

• Use a mouse and keyboard Install and run programs
• Use basic productivity software, including word processing applications Save files created by common applications
• Browse the internet

Course Learning Outcomes

1. Define the basic hardware and software concepts associated with personal computers
2. Demonstrate the ability to utilize network and internet terminology
3. Navigate the operating system
4. Organize and manipulate file names, locations, and backups
5. Connect cords between outlets, computers, monitors, keyboards, mice, and other devices.
6. Adjust monitors to have the best display possible.
7. Identify all parts of a computer and how to connect them.
8. Know the difference of various types of processors and how plug them in.
9. Know the parts of a mother board and how to use the slots.
10. Be able to set up a preferable device, like a printer.
11. Create, insert and modify memory boards.
12. Maintain a database to have a solution to problems you have encountered, so you do not need to learn something more that once.
13. Query the database for your solution.s
14. Push goal: Be able to build a computer from parts from home.

Additional Info: Hands on skills are crucial. The training will all be done in on-line learning modules. Getting into the lab to test out what you have learned is essential to understanding the material being taught.

Topical Outline

1. Computer hardware overview
2. File System overview
3. Macro Computer Components (computer, keyboard, mouse, etc.) and connections.
4. Computer components
5. Using components to build a computer
6. Dealing with the operating system and system software
7. Installing and maintaining applications

Course Overview

Instructor’s Overview of the Course

This is a “hands-on” course, the class will meet in room 228 for attendance. On-line work will be done in the computer lab (room 228).   Using what you learn will be in the robotics lab using hardware to solidify lessons.

Graded Instructional Activities

The grade will be calculated based on your total points earned vs points possible for the course work. This will amount to 80% of your grade. Passing the TestOut PC Pro and A+ certification will each count 10% of your final grade

Work			Percentage
Course Work		80%
TestOut PC Pro Certification		10%
A+ Certification		10%

Grading Scales and Standards

The grading scale for this class is:

Letter Grade	Range
A	90 – 100%
B	80 – 89%
C	70 – 79%
F	69% and lower

NOTE: Borderline grades will be determined by the student’s work ethic. A good work ethic consists of regular class attendance, a good attitude, the ability to work independently and with a group; professional conduct and language; respect for the instructor, classmates, and other FRCC and CECFC employees; and problem-solving skills.

Late Policy

Assignments will be expected on-time. Since LabSim grades all projects, the main penalty for being late with any project is that you will fall behind and not be able to complete all your lessons. When you complete all the lessons, you will be able to take the CompTIA IT PC Pro certification exam. Grades will be entered based on the schedule at the bottom of this document. Zeros will be entered when the assignment is due, if it is not done.  You can attempt to catch up, but it is much easier to stay on task. This room will be open on Tuesdays and Thursdays to give you time to catch up with the class schedule.

Attendance and Participation

As per the CECFC Handbook: “All CECFC students are expected to attend school daily and to arrive punctually. Frequent absences undermine the sequential and incremental nature of the CECFC curriculum for the student; in addition, they place burdens on the teachers who must arrange for makeup work. Late arrivals disrupt the classroom.”

All students will come to class on time. If you are late, within the first 30 minutes of class, you will be marked tardy. If you are more than 30 minutes late, you will be marked as absent. However, I will put a time down with the absence so that the attendance team will be aware of when you arrived. As long as you come in quietly, coming to class will allow you to make up in-class projects, but not excuse the tardy or absence.

Students are permitted 5 unexcused absences per course, per semester penalty free, if all these absences are not “skipped” classes. More than 5 unexcused absences will result in a course grade reduction of 5%. Each additional unexcused absence will incur an additional 1% grade decrease.

Students are permitted 2 tardies per course, per semester penalty free. Upon incurring a 3^rd tardy, the late instances will turn into an unexcused absence. Every 3 tardies afterward will count as an unexcused absence at the end of the semester and calculate into the grade deduction mentioned above.

You will be graded on your participation in class, this means being here on time, ready to learn and being respectful of classmates and the time allotted for this course. Leaving early, working on homework, reading for another class or packing up to leave before the end of class is not allowed.

Academic Honesty

Students are expected to uphold FRCC’s Student Code of Conduct relating to academic honesty and assume full responsibility for the content and integrity of the academic work they submit. The guiding principle of academic integrity will be that a student’s submitted work, examinations, reports, discussions, and projects must be that of the student’s own work and unique to the course. Students are guilty of violating the honor code if they:

• Represent the work of others as their own (this includes copying material from the Internet for discussion postings or other assignments without proper citation)
• Use or obtain unauthorized assistance in any academic work.
• Give unauthorized assistance to other students.
• Modify, without instructor approval, an examination, paper, record, or report for the purpose of obtaining additional credit.
• 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 contact the instructor to discuss the situation.

Collaboration. Unless otherwise instructed, all work submitted is to be done individually by the student. This means you should not be working in pairs or in a group to write discussion posts, complete assignments or take quizzes and other assessments unless specifically asked to do so by your instructor.

Plagiarism / Dual Submission. Plagiarism, whether intentional or accidental, is academic dishonesty and may incur disciplinary action ranging from receiving a zero on an assignment or failing a course to more severe consequences. Plagiarism means

• Using someone else’s ideas and not correctly citing that use. This means that if you put someone else’s work into your own words, put it in your work, and do not correctly document it, the idea is plagiarized.
• Using someone else’s words without quotation marks and not correctly citing that use.
• Using someone else’s images or other works (such as from the Internet) without correctly citing that use.
• Submitting work that has been turned in for credit in another class or at another institution unless specifically permitted by your instructor.
• Students may be required to submit work that is evaluated for originality by Turnitin.com, a plagiarism detection software program that checks for certain forms of plagiarism.

Other

We follow all CEC-FC and FRCC student policies (like no wearing hats in class). In addition, I have two primary rules:

1. Treat each person in this room with the respect with which you would like to be treated.
2. Except when in an organized group discussion, only one person speaks at a time.

Program Expectations

Disruptive Behavior: If a student engages in any disruptive behavior that negatively affects, disrupts, or impedes (1) the instructor’s ability to teach and/or (2) the other students’ ability to learn and/or (3) the general operation of the college, the student will be subject to disciplinary action.

Student of Concern: Front Range Community College and CECFC provide faculty, staff and students a resource to report their concern about any member of the FRCC and/or CECFC community. If you are concerned about yourself or someone else, please go to the front office and report.

Financial Aid: The following actions have eligibility implications for financial aid recipients at FRCC (as long as you pass your courses, financial aid is not needed at CECFC): non-attendance, dropping courses, withdrawing from courses, repeating courses, academic progress, and the number of credit hours attempted and completed. You are strongly encouraged to seek financial aid advising throughout the term if you have any questions about eligibility implications.

Student Support Services: Students with a disability or in need of support services are encouraged to contact the learning resources and support programs on campus to arrange for accommodations and support services.

Audio/Video Recording: A student granted permission by the instructor to make an audio or video recording may use the recording only for his or her own study and may not publish or post the recording on YouTube or any other medium or venue without the instructor’s explicit written authorization. All students in the class, as well as guest speakers, must be informed that audio/video recording may occur.

Non-attendance: At FRCC/CECFC, we want you to succeed. To do so, you must attend class. If you do not attend class during the first two scheduled class sessions, you may be dropped from the course due to non-attendance. Students who are dropped must go through the late add appeal process, which includes securing the signatures of the instructor, Instructional Dean, and Campus Vice President to re-enroll after the add deadline for the course. Course re-enrollment is at the discretion of the instructor and it is unlikely you will be re-enrolled if you have not attended and participated in class. Please also see the CECFC Attendance Policies previously stated.

Computer Ethics: A student will be subject to disciplinary action should he/she try to copy FRCC/CECFC software or tamper with the network. Copying software is a copyright violation and is against the law. Also, please do not move computer equipment.

Online Learning Expectations

FRCC and CECFC are committed to helping you succeed in your online courses. Please read the following section for a better understanding of expectations specific to online courses. If you have questions or concerns about course content and activities, contact your instructor right away. If you have questions or concerns related to support services or the student code of conduct, contact your Pathways Advisor or a member of the Online Learning team at 970-204-8250 or 303-404-5513. You can also email us ([email protected]).

Interacting in Online Courses

Online classes provide opportunities for you to interact with your instructor and peers in a variety of online formats. Despite what is often modeled in public forums and social networks, civility and etiquette are important aspects in creating deep and meaningful learning. Personal attacks, monopolization, and bullying can stop valuable discussion and are harmful to academic discourse. For this reason, it is important that interaction in an online class is civil, respectful, and focused on the topic presented. If you notice behavior that violates this conduct, be sure to contact your instructor.

Online Proctored Exams

This course requires one proctored exams, either at an FRCC/CECFC Testing Center, through an online proctoring service , or at another pre-approved location. The exact location for the certification exam will be given towards the end of the semester. Students who are unable to come to the specified Testing Center should contact their instructor in early November to arrange another option.

Before taking an exam at an FRCC Testing Center or other proctored location, plan to:

• Bring a photo ID.
• Arrive at the Testing Center early enough to allow enough time to complete the exam before it closes.
• Work around busy periods in the semester, there can be an extra wait for a testing space to come available during common testing times.

FRCC Testing Center hours and proctoring information are available online (https://www.frontrange.edu/campuses/testing-centers).

Campus Closure Procedure

If Colorado Early Colleges closes due to inclement weather or another emergency, online courses will proceed unless Desire2Learn and/or Infinite Campus is impacted. If you experience particular hardship or problems completing the course as a result of an emergency, contact your instructor or call Online Learning at 970-204-8250 or 303-404-5513.

Technical Difficulties

This course will have two components, on-line learning through TestOut’s LabSim and hands on activities in the Robotics lab. As an online student, you are responsible for ensuring that you have a reliable internet connection and the necessary equipment to access your online course(s) and any required course materials listed in the course syllabus. Computer failure or problems with internet access are not considered valid excuses for not completing coursework, so be sure to have a backup plan in place so that you can still complete your work on time even if you run into technical problems. Local libraries and computer labs on campuses can be great alternatives, but be sure to check on hours and availability.

For technical assistance with Desire2Learn, contact the Help Desk which is available 24 hours every day: (http://help.cccs.edu); 888-800-9198 (toll free). Desire2Learn is available 24×7, with the exception of limited maintenance windows posted on the home page. In the unlikely event of an unplanned D2L outage, faculty and staff will be informed so that they can make reasonable adjustments to the course schedule and assignment deadlines.

Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Resources

This is the same as the FRCC course, but does not count for college credit. Eventually it might, so I am leaving this section in for future use. If you are taking any FRCC courses, you are entitled to the following benefits.

For important information on rights and responsibilities of all FRCC students, as well as the many support resources available to you, please refer to the link to “Student Rights, Responsibilities and Resources” in the online course shell. Topics include:

• Course Questions
• Access to Course Materials
• Student Email
• Student Drop for Non-Attendance
• Student Drop for Non-Payment
• Financial Aid
• Academic Assistance
• Disability Support Services
• Use of Audio / Video Recordings
• Crisis Counseling and Stress Management
• FRCC Cares
• Notice of Non-Discrimination
• Mandatory Reporting (Title IX)
• Student Code of Conduct
• Philosophy of Inclusion

Course Schedule

Important Dates

• First Day of Class: 6 January (Monday)
• Martin Luther King Birthday (no school) 20 January (Monday)
• Non-Attendance Reporting Deadline: 24 January (Friday)
• Payment Deadline: N/A
• Last Day to Drop with Refund: 5 February (Wednesday)
• President’s Day (no school) 17 February (Monday)
• Graduation Application Deadline: N/A
• Spring Break: 16-20 March – Enjoy the week!
• Student Feedback Forms Distributed: 20-24 April
• Last Day to Withdraw with “W”: 36 April (Sunday)
• Student Feedback Forms Returned: 3 May (Sunday)
• Last Day of Class: 12 May (Tuesday)

Course Plan

The following table includes the coursework planned for this class. The computer sections will be Monday/Wednesday/Friday and held in HS228. The labs will be held in room 417.

TestOut Lesson Times

Module	Sections	Time	Videos	Labs	Text	Exams
1.0: Computing Overview
1.1: Course Introduction	41	31	10	0	0
1.2: Hardware Basics	55	20	5	15	15
1.3: Windows Basics	31	13	0	10	8
1.4: Linux Basics	46	23	10	5	8
1.5: macOS Basics	34	21	0	5	8
Total	3:27	1:48	0:25	0:35	0:39
2.0: PC Technician Responsibilities
2.1: Protection and Safety	50	20	0	15	15
2.2: Professionalism	26	6	0	5	15
2.3: Change Management	15	5	0	5	5
2.4: PC Tools	25	6	0	5	14
2.5: PC Maintenance	51	24	5	10	12
2.6: Troubleshooting Process Overview	27	8	0	5	14
Total	3:14	1:09	0:05	0:45	1:15
3.0: System Components
3.1: Cases and Form Factors	19	7	0	5	7
3.2: Power Supplies	42	18	5	5	14
3.3: Motherboards and Buses	41	12	5	10	14
3.4: Motherboard Troubleshooting	27	9	10	5	3
3.5: Processors	64	19	10	20	15
3.6: Processor Troubleshooting	33	7	10	5	11
3.7: Memory	46	24	0	10	12
3.8: Memory Installation	64	30	10	10	14
3.9: Memory Troubleshooting	37	12	10	5	10
3.10: BIOS/UEFI	69	40	10	5	14
3.11: Expansion Cards	22	9	5	5	3
3.12: Video	42	12	5	10	15
3.13: Audio	58	25	5	15	13
3.14: Cooling	24	8	0	5	11
Total	9:48	3:52	1:25	1:55	2:36
4.0: Peripheral Devices
4.1: Peripheral Devices	20	4	5	5	6
4.2: USB	29	7	5	5	12
4.3: Display Devices	48	25	5	5	13
4.4: Video Troubleshooting	26	9	0	5	12
4.5: Device Driver Management	72	43	5	10	14
4.6: Device Driver Troubleshooting	40	12	10	5	13
Total	3:55	1:40	0:30	0:35	1:10
5.0: Storage
5.1: Storage Devices	23	9	0	5	9
5.2: SATA	31	14	5	5	7
5.3: Optical Media	26	15	0	5	6
5.4: RAID	55	21	10	10	14
5.5: File Systems	61	32	0	15	14
5.6: File System Creation	54	30	10	5	9
5.7: Storage Management	37	21	5	5	6
5.8: Storage Spaces	35	20	5	5	5
5.9: Disk Optimization	59	40	5	5	9
5.10: Storage Troubleshooting	43	13	5	10	15
Total	7:04	3:35	0:45	1:10	1:34
6.0: Networking
6.1: Networking Overview	52	32	0	10	10
6.2: Network Hardware	50	21	5	10	14
6.3: Networking Media	47	12	0	20	15
6.4: Ethernet	24	5	0	10	9
6.5: IP Networking	40	15	0	10	15
6.6: IP Configuration	52	24	10	5	13
6.7: IP Version 6	19	6	0	5	8
6.8: Internet Connectivity	50	16	15	5	14
6.9: Network Utilities	75	35	20	5	15
6.10: Network Troubleshooting	51	23	10	5	13
Total	7:40	3:09	1:00	1:25	2:06
7.0: Wireless Networking
7.1: 802.11 Wireless	63	21	20	10	12
7.2: Infrared, Bluetooth, and NFC	27	11	0	5	11
7.3: SOHO Configuration	62	29	5	15	13
7.4: Internet of Things	33	18	5	5	5
7.5: Wireless Network Troubleshooting	21	10	0	5	6
Total	3:26	1:29	0:30	0:40	0:47
8.0: Printing
8.1: Printers	59	19	5	20	15
8.2: Printer Configuration	35	19	5	5	6
8.3: Network Printing	35	20	5	5	5
8.4: Printing Management	37	17	10	5	5
8.5: Printer Maintenance	23	11	0	5	7
8.6: Printer Troubleshooting	42	22	0	5	15
Total	3:51	1:48	0:25	0:45	0:53
9.0: Mobile Devices
9.1: Laptops	35	11	0	10	14
9.2: Laptop Components	51	31	0	5	15
9.3: Laptop Power Management	39	12	10	10	7
9.4: Laptop Troubleshooting	42	12	0	15	15
9.5: Mobile Devices	32	10	0	15	7
9.6: Mobile Device Networking	45	14	5	15	11
9.7: Mobile Device Security	38	13	5	5	15
9.8: Mobile Device Troubleshooting	33	14	0	5	14
Total	5:15	1:57	0:20	1:20	1:38
10.0: System Implementation
10.1: Component Selection	22	7	0	5	10
10.2: Windows Pre-Installation	40	20	0	10	10
10.3: Windows Installation	49	26	10	5	8
10.4: Post-Installation	17	7	0	5	5
10.5: Virtualization	82	37	15	15	15
Total	3:30	1:37	0:25	0:40	0:48
11.0: File Management
11.1: Windows File Locations	32	15	0	10	7
11.2: Manage Files on Windows	86	46	10	15	15
11.3: NTFS Permissions	38	17	5	5	11
11.4: Shared Folders	48	27	5	5	11
11.5: Linux File Management	61	39	10	5	7
Total	4:25	2:24	0:30	0:40	0:51
12.0: System Management
12.1: Windows System Tools	100	55	5	25	15
12.2: Preferences and Settings	24	14	0	5	5
12.3: Performance Monitoring	29	15	0	5	9
12.4: Active Directory	88	46	20	10	12
12.5: Users and Groups	57	26	5	15	11
12.6: Remote Services	63	33	5	15	10
12.7: Windows Application Management	58	34	10	10	4
12.8: Linux Application Management	32	16	5	5	6
12.9: Digital Content Management	27	17	0	5	5
12.10: Updates	48	25	10	5	8
12.11: System Backup	40	18	10	5	7
12.12: System Recovery	65	36	15	5	9
12.13: Virtual Memory	31	15	5	5	6
12.14: Operating System Troubleshooting	45	31	0	10	4
12.15: Windows Boot Errors	78	25	25	15	13
Total	13:05	6:46	1:55	2:20	2:04
13.0: Security
13.1: Security Best Practices	36	15	0	10	11
13.2: Incident Response	29	17	0	5	7
13.3: Physical Security	56	26	10	5	15
13.4: Social Engineering	28	11	0	5	12
13.5: BIOS/UEFI Security	34	17	5	5	7
13.6: Malware Protection	77	42	5	15	15
13.7: Authentication	74	39	10	10	15
13.8: File Encryption	50	25	5	10	10
13.9: Network Security	41	20	0	10	11
13.10: Firewalls	49	20	5	10	14
13.11: Proxy Servers	27	11	5	5	6
13.12: VPN	32	13	5	5	9
13.13: Security Troubleshooting	33	13	0	10	10
Total	9:26	4:29	0:50	1:45	2:22
Total Course Time 77:52
Practice Exams
A.0: PC Pro Certification Practice Exams	Number of Questions	Time
A.3: PC Pro Certification Practice Exam	18	1:30
Total	18	1:30
B.0: CompTIA A+ 220-1001 Core 1 Practice Exams	Number of Questions	Time
B.4: A+ 220-1001 Core 1 Certification Practice Exam	90	1:30
Total	90	1:30
C.0: CompTIA A+ 220-1002 Core 2 Practice Exams	Number of Questions	Time
C.4: A+ 220-1002 Core 2 Certification Practice Exam	90	1:30
Total	90	1:30
Total Practice Exam Time 27:30

School Schedule

The following table includes the coursework planned for this class. Lab time will be allocated when members of the class have reached relevant chapters in the course work.

Week	Topic	To Do
1	Orientation, introduction of teachers and students, class overview, Computer login TestOut 1. Computing Overview	Labs
2	TestOut 2. PC Technician Responsibility	Labs
3	TestOut 3. System Components	Labs
4	TestOut 3. System Components (contoured)	Labs
5	TestOut 4. Peripheral Devices	Labs
6	TestOut – 5. Storage	Labs
7	TestOut – 6. Networking	Labs
8	TestOut – 7. Wireless Networking	Labs
9	TestOut – 8. Printing TestOut – 9. Mobile Devices TestOut – 10. System Implementation	Labs
10	Review computer component compatabilities Submit list of components for later build	Submit by end of week
11	Spring Break	Enjoy!
12	TestOut – 11. File Management TestOut – 12. System Management	Labs
13	TestOut – 13. Security TestOut – 14 Capstone Exercises	Labs Practice
14	App A. PC Pro Certification Practice	Labs
15	App B.  CompTIA A+ 220-1001 Core Certification Practice	Certification to be arranged
16	App B.  CompTIA A+ 220-1001 Core Certification Practice	Certification to be arranged
17	Receive/Verify parts for computer Build computer	Lab Build
18	Last Minute Catch Up and Review	Review
19	Wrap Up (only two days)	Finish