Lesson Plan
Course Title: Computer Maintenance
Session Title: Upgrading Your PC: Flash Memory and
Gathering User Information
Lesson Duration: 2 to 3 one-hour sessions with 1 additional one-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 terminology, upgrade or
update flash memory, and gather information from the user.
Specific Objectives:
The student will be able to
 define and upgrade flash memory
 define and identify what user information is
 understand how to gather information from the user
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(c) Computer Maintenance
(8) The student uses troubleshooting skills with hardware knowledge to solve client problems.
The student is expected to
(G) update flash memory;
(I) gather information from the user.
Instructor/Trainer
References:
Content developer knowledge
Instructional Aids:
Upgrading Your PC: Presentation
 Upgrading Your PC: Handout
 Upgrading Your PC: Exam
 Upgrading Your PC: Exam – KEY
Materials Needed:
 Operational computers
 Various flash drives and flash media
 Copies of exam
IT: Upgrading Your PC
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Equipment Needed:
 Projection system for the presentation
 Computer with Internet access
Learner
 Students should refer to the curriculum material in the presentation and class notes for
definitions, instructions, and concepts regarding computer maintenance of flash memory
and gathering information from the user.
Introduction
MI
Introduction (LSI Quadrant I):

Ask, "How many of you have heard of flash-based technology? Who can
give me a definition?"

Ask, "What do you think some of the benefits would be to flash-based
memory?"

Ask, "Has anyone had problems with his or her computer? What did you do?
If you took it to a tech to be looked at, or called a technical repair service,
what kinds of questions did they ask you?"

Say, "By the end of this session, you will be able to define, upgrade, and
install and uninstall flash-based memory. You will know what information to
gather from a user that is having difficulties with his or her computer."
Outline
MI
Outline (LSI Quadrant II):
Instructor Notes:
Note: Instructors can use slides and notes from the
presentation as outlined below
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
VI.
VII.
Course objectives (PPT Slide 2)
Flash memory (Slide 3)
Benefits of flash memory (Slides 4-5)
Hard drive types (Slide 6)
Updating / Upgrading flash memory or
storage (Slide 7)
A. Firmware/Software update (Slide 8)
B. Hardware upgrade (Slides 9-13)
C. Things to consider (Slide 14)
D. Future of flash (Slide 15)
User information (Slide 16)
Gathering information from user
(Slides
IT: Upgrading Your PC
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VIII.
IX.
17-21)
Independent / Group work (Slide 22)
Exam preparation (Slide 23)
Application
MI
Guided Practice (LSI Quadrant III):
Groups will practice uninstalling and reinstalling a flash-based hard drive on
a classroom computer. The instructor will verify the groups’ work upon
completion of each task.
MI
Independent Practice (LSI Quadrant III):
Independently, the learner will gather information from a friend or family
member about a problem he or she has, or has had, with a computer in the
last six months. That individual will sign off on the student’s report of his or
her user information. Extra credit will be given to students who diagnose the
problem and write up a repair plan for the computer.
Summary
MI
Review (LSI Quadrants I and IV):
Ask the students the following questions:
1.
2.
3.
4.
"What is flash memory?"
"What are some of the benefits to flash based memory?"
"What is user information?"
"What are some questions you might ask in order to obtain
information from the user about his or her computer?"
5. "How can information from the user about his or her computer be
used?"
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 installing and
uninstalling flash-based memory from the classroom computers.
MI
Formal Assessment (LSI Quadrant III, IV):
IT: Upgrading Your PC
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The instructor will utilize the Upgrading Your PC Exam and Exam Key to
assess students’ understanding.
Extension
MI
Extension/Enrichment (LSI Quadrant IV):
The student will visit a computer repair store and ask one of their
technicians what types of user information they are most interested in
gathering when trying to troubleshoot or upgrade a person's computer. The
student should record that information and turn it in to the instructor for
extra credit.
.
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Icon
MI
Teaching Strategies
Verbal/
Linguistic
Logical/
Mathematical
Visual/Spatial
Musical/
Rhythmic
Bodily/
Kinesthetic
Intrapersonal
Interpersonal
Naturalist
Existentialist
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
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Name_______________________
Date________________________
Upgrading Your PC: Exam
True/False 5 points ea.
Indicate if the statement is True (T) or False (F) in the space provided.
_____ 1. When gathering user information, don’t ask general questions first.
_____ 2. With flash-based SSD hard drives, it is important to use well-known
manufacturers.
_____ 3. It isn’t important to ground yourself before replacing computer hardware.
_____ 4. User information doesn’t tell you anything about the computer’s hardware.
_____ 5. As technology evolves, components will become integrated.
_____ 6. One question in gathering information from the user is to see if the computer
is making unusual sounds.
_____ 7. Obtaining information from the user is the first step in troubleshooting.
_____ 8. It’s not important to ask how long an issue has existed in gathering user
information.
_____9. Integrated components are components that aren’t user replaceable and are
soldered.
_____10. When installing a new hard drive, you do not need to install the operating
system again.
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Multiple Choice 5 points ea.
Select the letter choice that best completes the statement or question.
_____ 11. Obtaining information from the user helps
a. determine if the issue is software or hardware related
b. identify the computer specifications for the user’s computer
c. A and C
d. none of the above
_____ 12. While gathering the user information, you should have the user first
a. explain what the problem is
b. tell you where he/she purchased the computer
c. give you his/her technical background
d. tell you what room of the house the computer is in
_____ 13. Once data is backed up and you are ready to upgrade a hard drive, you
should _____ before disconnecting anything.
a. unscrew the hard drive
b. unplug the cables
c. disconnect the power
d. turn the computer on
_____ 14. The two ways to update flash memory are through
a. firmware and software
b. firmware and hardware
c. firmware/software and hardware
d. none of the above
_____ 15. Solid-state, rewriteable memory that functions like a combination of RAM and
a hard drive is also known as _____ memory.
a. hard-drive
b. flash
c. optical
d. digital
_____ 16. Information about the computer that is given for troubleshooting or upgrading
purposes is called
a. user information
b. computer information
c. user platform
d. quantum computing
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_____ 17. System specifications detail
a. the issues the computer is having
b. the programs that are installed on the computer
c. the user preferences for the users that have logged in to the computer
d. the hardware that makes up the computer
_____ 18. The second step in gathering user information is to ask ____ questions
a. general
b. vague
c. specific
d. none of the above
_____ 19. With the future of flash memory,
a. computers will be smaller, lighter, and more integrated
b. flash memory will become part of the motherboard via soldering
c. computers won’t be as user upgradable
d. all of the above
_____ 20. . After upgrading a computer’s hard drive to a flash-based hard drive, you will
need to install a(n)
a. game package
b. operating system
c. anti-virus software
d. none of the above
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Name_______________________
Date________________________
Upgrading Your PC: Exam KEY
True/False 5 points ea.
Indicate if the statement is True (T) or False (F) in the space provided.
___F__ 1. When gathering user information, don’t ask general questions first.
___T__ 2. With flash-based SSD hard drives, it is important to purchase from wellknown manufacturers.
___F__ 3. It isn’t important to ground yourself before replacing computer hardware.
___F__ 4. User information doesn’t tell you anything about the computer’s hardware.
___T__ 5. As technology evolves, components will become integrated.
___T__ 6. One question in gathering information from the user is to see if the computer
is making unusual sounds.
___T__ 7. Obtaining information from the user is the first step in troubleshooting.
___F__ 8. It’s not important to ask how long an issue has existed in gathering user
information.
___T__9. Integrated components are components that aren’t user replaceable and are
soldered.
___F__10. When installing a new hard drive, you do not need to install the operating
system again.
IT: Upgrading Your PC
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Multiple Choice 5 points ea.
Select the letter choice that best completes the statement or question.
___C__ 11.
a.
b.
c.
d.
.Obtaining information from the user helps
determine if the issue is software or hardware related
identify the computer specifications for the user’s computer
A and C
none of the above
___A__ 12
a.
b.
c.
d.
While gathering the user information, you should have the user first
explain what the problem is
tell you where he/she purchased the computer
give you his/her technical background
tell you what room of the house the computer is in
___C__ 13 Once data is backed up and you are ready to upgrade a hard drive, you
should _____ before disconnecting anything.
a. unscrew the hard drive
b. unplug the cables
c. disconnect the power
d. turn the computer on
___C__ 14. The two ways to update flash memory are through
a. firmware and software
b. firmware and hardware
c. firmware/software and hardware
d. none of the above
___B__ 15. Solid-state, rewriteable memory that functions like a combination of RAM
and a hard drive is also known as _____ memory.
a. hard-drive
b. flash
c. optical
d. digital
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___A__ 16 Information about the computer that is given for troubleshooting or
upgrading purposes is called
e. user information
f. computer information
g. user platform
h. quantum computing
__D__ 17. System specifications detail
a. the issues the computer is having
b. the programs that are installed on the computer
c. the user preferences for the users that have logged in to the computer
d. the hardware that makes up the computer
___C__ 18. The second step in gathering user information is to ask ____ questions
e. general
f. vague
g. specific
h. none of the above
___D__ 19. With the future of flash memory,
a. computers will be smaller, lighter, and more integrated
b. flash memory will become part of the motherboard via soldering
c. computers won’t be as user upgradable
d. all of the above
___B__ 20. After upgrading a computer’s hard drive to a flash-based hard drive, you will
need to install a(n)
e. game package
f. operating system
g. anti-virus software
h. none of the above
IT: Upgrading Your PC
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11