Lesson Plan
Course Title: Computer Technician
Session Title: Computer Software: Failures, Corruptions,
Repair, and the Future of Computing
Lesson Duration: Three to four 1 hour sessions with 1 additional 1 hour session for the exam
[Lesson length is subjective and will vary from instructor to instructor]
Performance Objective:
Upon completion of this lesson, the student will be able to define, identify, and repair computer
software, as well as understand where computing is headed in the future pertaining to software.
Specific Objectives:


The student will be able to define computer software failures, corruptions, and repairs
The student will be able to identify the future of computing
Preparation
TEKS Correlations:
This lesson, as published, correlates to the following TEKS. Any changes/alterations to the
activities may result in the elimination of any or all of the TEKS listed.
130.275(c) Computer Technician
(1) The student demonstrates the necessary skills for career development, employability, and
successful completion of course outcomes. The student is expected to:
(E) solve problems and think critically
(3) The student relates core academic skills to the requirements of computer technologies. The
student is expected to:
(C) estimate supplies, materials, and labor costs for installation, maintenance, and repair
work orders; and
(D) read and interpret technical documentation such as schematics, drawings, charts,
diagrams, technical manuals, and bulletins.
(6) The student knows the proper function and application of the tools, equipment, technologies,
and materials used in computer technologies. The student is expected to:
(D) identify new and emerging technologies that may affect the field of computer technology
such as quantum computing, photonics, and nanotechnology.
(10) The student provides support to computer users to maintain service. The student is
expected to:
(E) use hardware and software diagnostics.
Instructor/Trainer
References:
Webster Online Dictionary
Content Developer Knowledge
IT: Computer Technician: Computer Software Failures, Corruptions, Repair, and Future Plan
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Instructional Aids:
1. Computer Software – Failures, Corruptions, Repair, & Future of Computing Presentation
2. Computer Software – Failures, Corruptions, Repair, and the Future of Computing Exam
3. Computer Software – Failures, Corruptions, Repair, and the Future of Computing Exam - KEY
Materials Needed:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Operational Computers
Varying types of computer software
Screenshots of specific computer software failures or errors
Copies of Exam
Equipment Needed:
1. Projection system to play presentation
2. Computer with Internet access
Learner
1. Students should refer to presentation, curriculum material, and class notes for definitions,
instructions, and concepts regarding computer software failures, corruptions, repairs, and
the future of computing.
Introduction
MI
Introduction (LSI Quadrant I):
Last session, we discussed computer software types, their set up and ethical
boundaries. Since you’re aware of this introduction to software, we’re going to take
it one step further to discuss computer software failures, corruptions and repairs.
Finally we will discuss the future of computing.

Ask: Tell me again what types of software we discussed in our last session?

Ask: Can you name some different types of failures you’ve seen with these
different programs?

Ask: Has anyone heard of Moore’s law? Tell me more…

Tell: By the end of this session you will be able to identify different software
failures and corruptions and be able to repair them. At the end of these
sessions, you and your group will be presenting on one of the three emerging
technologies and you will independently be able to prove Moore’s law.
Outline
MI
Outline (LSI Quadrant II):
Instructor Notes:
Note: Instructors can use the presentation slides and notes
with the following outline.
I.
Course Objectives (Slide 2)
IT: Computer Technician: Computer Software Failures, Corruptions, Repair, and Future Plan
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.
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II.
Computer Software
A. Definition (Slide 3)
III.
Computer Software Failure (Slide 4)
A. Causes (Slide 5)
IV.
Computer Software Corruption (Slide 6)
A. Causes (Slide 7)
V.
Computer Software Repair
A. OS Corruption PC (Slide 8)
B. OS Corruption Non-PC (Slide 9)
C. PC Application Repair (Slides 10-12)
D. Non-PC Application Repair (Slides 13-14)
VI.
Future of Computing
A. Moore’s Law (Slides 15-16)
B. Quantum Computing (Slide17)
C. Photonics (Slide 18)
D. Nanotechnology (Slide 19)
VII.
Independent / Group work (Slide 20)
VIII.
Exam Preparation (Slide 21)
Application
MI
Guided Practice (LSI Quadrant III):
The teacher will define software failures and corruptions in addition to teaching
students how to repair them. The teacher will introduce the future of computing and
Moore’s Law
Groups will research one of the three emerging technologies and present their
findings to the class.
MI
Independent Practice (LSI Quadrant III):
Independently, the learner will define Moore's Law. Have each student select one
specific computer manufacturer and make a chart to illustrate the last 12 years of its
technology growth. The chart should prove Moore’s Law. Included in the chart
should be the CPU and transistor count, in addition to the percentage of growth from
one year to the next.
IT: Computer Technician: Computer Software Failures, Corruptions, Repair, and Future Plan
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.
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Summary
MI
Review (LSI Quadrants I and IV):
Ask the students these summary questions.
1.
2.
3.
4.
What are Software Failures and how can you identify them?
What are Software Corruptions and how can you identify them?
Name some of the different methods of repairing software.
What is Moore’s Law and how does it apply to the progression of
technology?
5. What are some of the future areas computing will explore?
Evaluation
MI
Informal Assessment (LSI Quadrant III):
The instructor will monitor student progress during the independent practice and
answer questions groups may have as they practice researching a future emerging
technology and Moore’s Law by charting its principles over a 12 year period.
MI
Formal Assessment (LSI Quadrant III, IV):
The instructor will utilize the Computer Software: Failures, Corruptions, Repair, and
the Future of Computing Exam and Exam Key.
Extension
MI
Extension/Enrichment (LSI Quadrant IV):
The students need to diagnose and repair a computer software failure. The
instructor will set the computer up by deleting key files from the program beforehand.
Students will then be tasked with finding out which of the applications are
experiencing a problem and be tasked with fixing it. Different software packages will
be at the computer station for the students to use.
IT: Computer Technician: Computer Software Failures, Corruptions, Repair, and Future Plan
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Icon
MI
Verbal/
Linguistic
Logical/
Mathematical
Visual/Spatial
Musical/
Rhythmic
Bodily/
Kinesthetic
Intrapersonal
Interpersonal
Naturalist
Existentialist
Teaching Strategies
Personal Development
Strategies
Lecture, discussion, journal
writing, cooperative learning,
word origins
Reading, highlighting, outlining,
teaching others, reciting information
Problem solving, number
games, critical thinking,
classifying and organizing,
Socratic questioning
Mind-mapping, reflective
time, graphic organizers,
color-coding systems,
drawings, designs, video,
DVD, charts, maps
Use music, compose songs
or raps, use musical
language or metaphors
Organizing material logically, explaining
things sequentially, finding patterns,
developing systems, outlining, charting,
graphing, analyzing information
Developing graphic organizers, mindmapping, charting, graphing, organizing
with color, mental imagery (drawing in
the mind’s eye)
Use manipulatives, hand
signals, pantomime, real life
situations, puzzles and board
games, activities, roleplaying, action problems
Reflective teaching,
interviews, reflective listening,
KWL charts
Cooperative learning, roleplaying, group brainstorming,
cross-cultural interactions
Natural objects as
manipulatives and as
background for learning
Socratic questions, real life
situations, global
problems/questions
Creating rhythms out of words, creating
rhythms with instruments, playing an
instrument, putting words to existing
songs
Moving while learning, pacing while
reciting, acting out scripts of material,
designing games, moving fingers under
words while reading
Reflecting on personal meaning of
information, studying in quiet settings,
imagining experiments, visualizing
information, journaling
Studying in a group, discussing
information, using flash cards with
other, teaching others
Connecting with nature, forming study
groups with like minded people
Considering personal relationship to
larger context
IT: Computer Technician: Computer Software Failures, Corruptions, Repair, and Future Plan
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.
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Computer Technician
NAME
DATE
Computer Software Exam: Failure, Corruption, & Repair
True/False 4 points each: Indicate if the statement is True (T) or False (F) in the
space provided.
_____ 1. Moore’s Law is about the designing of software programs.
_____ 2. The least common fix for a software problem is to reset the program to its defaults.
_____ 3. Each piece of software serves a particular purpose in making the computer function.
_____ 4. The Operating System will not allow the user to open applications where critical files
are missing as a safety precaution.
_____ 5. A failing hard drive always keeps data from being corrupted.
_____ 6. Malicious software such as Spyware can damage or delete critical files in software
applications.
_____ 7. Under Moore’s Law, as technology advances, transistors become larger.
_____ 8. Quantum Computing relates to an older principle of computing and is being phased
out.
_____9. Nanotechnology pertains to the study of manipulating matter at an atomic level.
_____10. When a software crash occurs, the Operating System doesn’t place a popup
onscreen to notify the user.
Multiple Choice 5 points each: Select the letter choice that best completes the
statement or question.
_____ 11. A crash or cessation of processing because of a logic error in a program is:
a. Boot process
b. Quantum Computing
c. Software Failure
d. None of the above
_____ 12. Repairing Software on a PC involves these steps in which order?
IT: Computer Technician: Computer Software Failures, Corruptions, Repair, and Future Plan
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.
6
a.
b.
c.
d.
Insert the OS disk, press any key, and reboot the computer
Press any key, reboot the computer, and insert the OS disk
Reboot the computer, Insert the OS disk, and press any key
Insert the OS disk, reboot the computer, and press any key
_____ 13. Moore’s Law was coined in the year ____
a. 1970
b. 1967
c. 1980
d. 1979
_____ 14. The generation, emission, transmission, modulation, and signal processing of light is
called what?
a. Nanotechnology
b. Quantum computing
c. Photonics
d. Moore’s Law
_____ 15. The study of manipulating matter at an atomic and molecular level is called what?
a. Quantum computing
b. Nanotechnology
c. Moore’s Law
d. Photonics
_____ 16. One or more programs and a collection of data that is stored on the computer for a
purpose is
a. Software
b. Firmware
c. BIOS
d. B and C
_____ 17. When repairing an application, which is less common?
a. Resetting the program’s defaults
b. Repairing the software
c. Uninstalling and reinstalling the software
d. None of the above
_____ 18. Computer performance doubles about every _ year(s).
a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. None of the above
_____ 19. Causes of corrupted software include:
a. Corrupt files were installed at software installation
b. Hardware failure
c. Files are missing
d. All of the above
_____ 20. To delete an application from a Mac, you do what to the file?
IT: Computer Technician: Computer Software Failures, Corruptions, Repair, and Future Plan
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.
7
a.
b.
c.
d.
Drag it to the Trash and empty the trash
Click Uninstall
Download an application to delete the software
None of the above
Essay (20 pts total):
Describe Moore’s Law and how it pertains to the advancement of technology and
computing.
Draw a chart over a 6-year period illustrating Moore’s Law. On one axis, indicate time.
On the other axis, indicate the computer’s performance.
IT: Computer Technician: Computer Software Failures, Corruptions, Repair, and Future Plan
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.
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Computer Technician
NAME
DATE
Computer Software Exam: Failure, Corruption, & Repair
Exam Key
True/False 4 points each: Indicate if the statement is True (T) or False (F) in the
space provided.
___F__ 1. Moore’s Law is about the designing of software programs.
___T__ 2. The least common fix for a software problem is to reset the program to its defaults.
___T__ 3. Each piece of software serves a particular purpose in making the computer function.
___T__ 4. The Operating System will not allow the user to open applications where critical files
are missing as a safety precaution.
___F__ 5. A failing hard drive always keeps data from being corrupted.
___T__ 6. Malicious software such as Spyware can damage or delete critical files in software
applications.
___F__ 7. Under Moore’s Law, as technology advances, transistors become larger.
___F__ 8. Quantum Computing relates to an older principle of computing and is being phased
out.
___T__9. Nanotechnology pertains to the study of manipulating matter at an atomic level.
___F__10. When a software crash occurs, the Operating System doesn’t place a popup
onscreen to notify the user.
Multiple Choice 5 points each: Select the letter choice that best completes the
statement or question.
___C__ 11. A crash or cessation of processing because of a logic error in a program is:
a. Boot process
b. Quantum Computing
c. Software Failure
d. None of the above
___D__ 12. Repairing Software on a PC involves these steps in which order?
IT: Computer Technician: Computer Software Failures, Corruptions, Repair, and Future Plan
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.
9
a.
b.
c.
d.
Insert the OS disk, press any key, and reboot the computer
Press any key, reboot the computer, and insert the OS disk
Reboot the computer, Insert the OS disk, and press any key
Insert the OS disk, reboot the computer, and press any key
___A__ 13. Moore’s Law was coined in the year ____.
a. 1970
b. 1967
c. 1980
d. 1979
___C__ 14. The generation, emission, transmission, modulation, and signal processing of light
is called what?
a. Nanotechnology
b. Quantum computing
c. Photonics
d. Moore’s Law
___B__ 15. The study of manipulating matter at an atomic and molecular level is called what?
a. Quantum computing
b. Nanotechnology
c. Moore’s Law
d. Photonics
___A__ 16. One or more programs and a collection of data that is stored on the computer for a
purpose is
a. Software
b. Firmware
c. BIOS
d. B and C
___C__ 17. When repairing an application, which is less common?
a. Resetting the program’s defaults
b. Repairing the software
c. Uninstalling and reinstalling the software
d. None of the above
___B__ 18. Computer performance doubles about every _ year(s).
a. 1
b. 2
c. 3
d. None of the above
___D__ 19. Causes of corrupted software include:
a. Corrupt files were installed at software installation
b. Hardware failure
c. Files are missing
d. All of the above
___A__ 20. To delete an application from a Mac, you do what to the file?
IT: Computer Technician: Computer Software Failures, Corruptions, Repair, and Future Plan
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2013. All rights reserved.
10
a.
b.
c.
d.
Drag it to the Trash and empty the trash
Click Uninstall
Download an application to delete the software
None of the above
Essay (20 pts total)
Describe Moore’s Law and how it pertains to the advancement of
technology and computing.
 Transistor count can inexpensively be doubled every two years
 Processors are able to run at higher speeds
 Processors are able to run cooler
 Transistor size are able to be manufactured easily at a smaller size
Draw a chart over a 6-year period illustrating Moore’s Law. On one axis,
indicate time. On the other axis, indicate the computer’s performance.



Chart should have 6 years listed on one axis
Chart should have a base number at the first point on the second axis
The second axis number should double in value every two years
IT: Computer Technician: Computer Software Failures, Corruptions, Repair, and Future Plan
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