Lesson Plan
Course Title: Computer Maintenance
Session Title: Portable Computers
Lesson Duration: 120 Minutes
[Lesson length is subjective and will vary from instructor to instructor]
Performance Objective:
Upon completion of this assignment, the student will understand the portable computer, its
advantages and disadvantages compared to the desktop, and the future of portable computers
Specific Objectives:
 Define terms associated with the lesson
 Discuss how laptops work
 Outline the brief history of laptops
 Explain the anatomy of a laptop computer
 Discuss similarities and differences between desktops and laptops
 Discuss future trends
 Describe laptop capabilities
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.
• 130.273 (1)(D)
The student demonstrates the necessary skills for career development, employability,
and successful completion of course outcomes. The student is expected to: employ
effective verbal and nonverbal communication skills
•
130.273 (2)(A)
The student identifies various employment opportunities in the information technology
field. The student is expected to: identify job opportunities and accompanying job duties
and tasks.
•
130.273 (4)(G)
The student acquires an understanding of computer technologies. The student is
expected to: describe the architecture of various computer systems.
•
130.273 (4)(H)
The student acquires an understanding of computer technologies. The student is
expected to: describe the function of computer components such as central processing
units, storage devices, and peripheral devices.
•
130.273 (7)(A)
The student uses hardware design, operation, and maintenance knowledge and skills to
provide computer support. The student is expected to: identgy the prupose and function
of computer components in the operation of the computer system such as central
processing unit, mother board, sockets, chipsets, basic input and output system and
IT: Computer Maintenance: Portable Computers Plan
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their drivers, memory, hard drive technologies, video cards, input and output devices
and ports, and modem and network interface cards (NIC)
Instructor/Trainer
References:
www.howstuffworks.com
Instructional Aids:
1. Portable Computers PowerPoint Presentation
2. Portable Computers Exam
3. Portable Computers Exam Key
4. Portable Computers Internet Lab
Materials Needed:
1. Internet Lab Handout
Equipment Needed:
1. A projection system to play the PowerPoint presentation
Learner
Students should read the appropriate curriculum material for portable computers, depending on
the test/curriculum being used for this course. This lesson can be taught with only the
PowerPoint presentation, and the equipment outlined above.
Introduction
MI
Introduction (LSI Quadrant I):
SAY: Today’s laptops have just as much computing power as desktops, without
taking up as much space.
ASK: Does anyone here own a laptop?
SAY: Laptops have the same major parts as desktops: microprocessor, operating
system, solid-state memory, disk drives, input/output ports, sound cards, and
speakers.
SAY: Laptops differ from desktops in the following features: power supply, displays,
input devices, docking connections.
SAY: Like any other computer, future laptops will have faster microprocessors with
more memory.
Outline
MI
Outline (LSI Quadrant II):
Instructor Notes:
I.
Define terms associated with the lesson
II.
Introduction to how laptops work
Note: Instructors can use the
PowerPoint slides, handouts,
and note pages in
IT: Computer Maintenance: Portable Computers Plan
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conjunction with the following
outline.
III. Brief History
IV. Anatomy of a laptop computer
V.
Similarities and Differences of Desktops and
Laptops
A. Microprocessors
B. Operating systems
C. Solid-state memory
D. Disk drives
E. Input/output ports
F. Sound cards and speakers
VI. Future Trends
VII. What they can do
Application
MI
Guided Practice (LSI Quadrant III):
1. The teacher demonstrates each lab principle.
2. The teacher maintains direct supervision in the lab, providing guidance when
warranted.
MI
Independent Practice (LSI Quadrant III):
1. Create a PowerPoint presentation concerning future technology relating to
portable computer devices (students could propose ideas not yet currently
developed).
Summary
MI
Review (LSI Quadrants I and IV):
Checking for understanding (Q & A)
Q: Laptops have just as many computing capabilities as a desktop. What is the
main benefit of a laptop versus a desktop?
A: They don’t take up as much space
Q: Which organization is credited for building the first portable computer aimed for
household use and business?
A: Apple Computers
Q: Give some examples of the similarities between the laptop’s and the desktop’s
major parts?
A: Microprocessors, operating systems, solid-state memory, disk drives,
input/output ports, sound cards, and speakers
Q: Give some examples of the dissimilarities between the laptop’s and the desktop’s
IT: Computer Maintenance: Portable Computers Plan
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major parts?
A: Power supply, displays, input devices, and docking connections
Q: What is an example of a “future trend” of the laptop?
A: Future laptops will have faster microprocessors with more memory. The storage
devices may change from removable disks (CD, DVD) to solid state memory,
which could make them even lighter and thinner. In the future, laptops may
eventually be replaced by wearable computers.
Evaluation
MI
Informal Assessment (LSI Quadrant III):
Monitor student progress during independent practice and provide independent reteach/redirection as needed.
MI
Formal Assessment (LSI Quadrant III, IV):
Administer the Portable Computers Exam and Exam Key.
Extension
MI
Extension/Enrichment (LSI Quadrant IV):
Consider taking a field trip to a computer store to see the products currently
available on the market.
IT: Computer Maintenance: Portable Computers 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 a
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
others, teaching others
Connecting with nature, forming study
groups with like-minded people
Considering the personal relationship to
the larger context
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Computer Maintenance
Lab 1: Portable Computers
Internet Lab
1. Using the internet, research the different manufacturers of laptop computers in the
industry. Write a couple of paragraphs explaining what brand of laptop you would
purchase and why. What features about the laptop interest you?
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Name _____________________________
Date___________________
Computer Maintenance I
Portable Computers
Exam 1
True/False
_____1. Today's laptops have just as much computing power as desktops, without taking up as
much space.
_____2. The Apple IIc was a notebook-sized computer, but not a true laptop.
_____3. Like all computers, laptops have a central brain called a microprocessor, which
performs all of the operations of the computer.
_____4. Laptops do not have the same major parts as desktops.
_____5. The operating system is the brain of the laptop and coordinates all of the computer's
functions according to programmed instructions.
_____6. The operating system is the set of pre-programmed instructions that tell the
microprocessor what to do.
_____7. Laptops do not have a memory, both RAM and ROM, like desktops.
_____8. All laptops have an internal hard disk drive.
_____9. Most laptops have some type of removable disk storage system, such as floppy disks,
Zip disks, CDs and DVDs.
____10. Unlike desktops, most laptops are not equipped with sound cards and speakers so they
can play music from CDs.
Short Answer
11. Discuss the dissimilarities between laptops and desktops.
12. What is the future trend of the portable computer?
IT: Computer Maintenance: Portable Computers Plan
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Name _____________________________
Date___________________
Computer Maintenance
Portable Computers
Exam 1
True/False
_____1. Today's laptops have just as much computing power as desktops, without taking up as
much space. T
_____2. The Apple IIc was a notebook-sized computer, but not a true laptop. T
_____3. Like all computers, laptops have a central brain called a microprocessor, which
performs all of the operations of the computer. T
_____4. Laptops do not have the same major parts as desktops. F
_____5. The operating system is the brain of the laptop and coordinates all of the computer's
functions according to programmed instructions. F
_____6. The operating system is the set of pre-programmed instructions that tell the
microprocessor what to do. T
_____7. Laptops do not have a memory, both RAM and ROM, like desktops. F
_____8. All laptops have an internal hard disk drive. T
_____9. Most laptops have some type of removable disk storage system, such as floppy disks,
Zip disks, CDs and DVDs. T
____10. Unlike desktops, most laptops are not equipped with sound cards and speakers so they
can play music from CDs. F
Short Answer
11. Discuss the dissimilarities between laptops and desktops.
•
Laptops differ from desktops in the following features:
•
power supply - Like desktops, laptops can be plugged into the wall to receive AC
power from the electric power grid through an AC adapter. But what makes the
laptop unique is that it is portable; so, laptops are also powered by batteries
•
displays - All laptops have some type of LCD display screen. Laptop LCD displays
can be:
o
o
o
o
12 to 15 inches
black-and-white (16 grayscale) or color (65,536 colors)
passive or active matrix - active matrix displays have sharper images and
are easier to read
reflective or backlit - backlit screens are good for low-level room lighting
conditions
IT: Computer Maintenance: Portable Computers Plan
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•
•
input devices - For a desktop computer, you typically use a keyboard and mouse
to enter data. Laptops come with one of three input devices:
o trackball - rotating the ball allows you to move the cursor on the LCD
screen
o trackpoint - pushing your finger over the point allows you to move the
cursor
o touchpad - moving your finger across the pad allows you to move the
cursor
docking connections - The docking station has several peripheral devices (fullsize computer monitor, full-size keyboard, mouse, disk drives, printer) connected
to it. You just plug your laptop into the station to use it as a desktop computer.
Most laptops have a docking connection
12. What is the future trend of the portable computer.
Like any other computer, future laptops will have faster microprocessors with more
memory. The storage devices may change from removable disks (floppy, Zip, CD, DVD)
to solid state memory, which could make them even lighter and thinner. In the future,
laptops may eventually be replaced by wearable computers.
IT: Computer Maintenance: Portable Computers Plan
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