Lesson Plan
Course Title: Computer Technician
Session Title: Printers
Lesson Duration: Part I: 120-180 Minutes, Part II: 180-240 Minutes
Performance Objective:
Upon completion of this assignment, the student will be able to further understand the
importance of a printer, the way different types of printers work, and be able to perform general
printer troubleshooting.
Specific Objectives:
Part I
•
•
•
•
•
Define the term printer
Identify the different types of printers
Describe how printers work
Learn how to connect a printer
Learn how to set up and troubleshoot a printer
Part II
• Identify strategies for choosing a printer
• Given a senario, students will suggest a printing solution using a slide presentation.
Students will defend their choice(s) through research
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 acreer development, employability, and
successful completion of course outcomes. The student is expected to:
(E) solve problems and think critically
(F) demonstrate leadership skills and function effectively as a team member
(4) The student applies communication, mathematics, English, and science knowledge and
skills to research and develop projects. The student is expected to:
(A) demonstrate proper use of written, verbal, and visual communication techniques
consistent with information technology industry standards
(5) The student knows the comcepts and skills that form the basis of computer technologies.
The student is expected to:
(G) describe the function of central processing units, storage devices, peripheral devices,
and microprocessor units:
IT: Computer Technician: Printers Plan
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(7) The student applies the essential knowledge and skills for computer technologies to career
prparation, job shadowing, mentoring, or apprenticeship training in simulated and actual work
situation. The student is expected to:
(A) identify a problem relating to information technology
(B) develop a solution using appropriate technologies, information technology concepts, and
information technology industry standards
(F) apply critical-thinking strategies to the analysis and evaltuation of the proposed
technological solution
(I) develop the documentation of the research and development process;
(10) The student provides support to comuter users to maintain service. The student is
expected to:
(A) employ effective listening skills when working with clients to identify support needs:
(D) employ problem solving skills in performing support, maintenance, and repair
Instructor/Trainer
References:
PC upgrade and Repair Simplified 2nd Edition
How Computers Work: Ron White
Comp TIA A+ Certification Instructors Edition
Instructional Aids:
1. Printers Presentation
2. Printers- Exam
3. Printers- Exam Key
Materials Needed:
None
Equipment Needed:
1. Projection system for slide presentation
2. Personal Computer with access to the Internet
3. Personal Computers (min. 2) and a “shared printer”
Learner
Students should read appropriate curriculum material on printers, depending on the text/
curriculum being used for this course. This lesson can be taught with only the presentation, and
the equipment needed outlined above.
Introduction
MI
Introduction (LSI Quadrant I):
Introduction (LSI Quadrant I)
• SAY: Often it is necessary to have a hard copy of a document. This is where
printer comes in.
• ASK: How many printers are located in this room? How many do you think
are located in school?
• SAY: There are several types of printers that exist.
• ASK: What types of printers do we have at school that you know of? (inkjet,
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•
•
•
•
•
•
laser)
ASK: What types of printers do you have at home?
ASK: Are there any other types of printers that you have seen? Where did
you see them? What output did they produce?
ASK: How does the output differ from printer to printer? Why would it be
important to have different types of printers in different places?
SAY: Today we are going to answer these questions. We will discussthe
broad categories fo printers, the specific types of printers typically found on
the market, and the various types of outputs associated with each so that you
are able to make informed decisions about the type of printer to purchase in
specific situations.
SAY: Additonally, you will learn how to connect and install a printer once it is
purchased.
SAY: You will set up, configure an troubleshoot a printer.
Outline
MI
Outline (LSI Quadrant II):
Instructor Notes:
Note: Instructors can use the slides, handouts, and
note pages in conjunction with the following outline.
I.
II.
Introduction and Overview (Slides 1-2)
Printers
A. Definition (Slide 3)
III.
Types of Printers
A. Two Categories (Slide 4)
i.
Imact Printers
ii.
Non-impact Printer
IV.
How the different printers work (Slide 5)
V.
Different Printers on the Market
A. Dot Matrix (Slides 6-7)
B. Ink-Jet (Slides 8-9)
C. Laser (PPT Slides 10-12)
D. Snapshot (Slides 13-14)
E. Other high quality printers (Slides 15-16)
VI.
Choosing a printer (PPT Slides 17-20)
VII. Connection and setup of a printer (Slides 2122)
A. Network Printer connection and
configuration
B. Comparison of pros/cons of shared vs
network printers.
VIII. General Troubleshooting (Slides 23-24)
Application
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MI
Guided Practice (LSI Quadrant III):
The teacher demonstrates learning principles during the connection, setup and
general troubleshooting parts of the presentation. After students have successfully
setup and configured a printer, change part of the configuration and require students
to solve the issue.
MI
Independent Practice (LSI Quadrant III):
Students should be provided opportunities to replicate teacher demonstrations
throughout the presentation. Students will be given various criteria for printing needs
of company or personal use. Students research, choose and present a printer which
satisfies the criteria. Final solution should be a presentation.
Summary
MI
Review (LSI Quadrants I and IV):
Checking for understanding (Q and A Session)
Q: What are some different types of printers?
A: Inkjet, laser, dot-matrix, snapshot
Q: List what features you should look for when choosing a printer?
A; Printer Quality, speed resolution, software, consumables, color, printer media,
and warranty
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):
Use the Printers Exam and Exam Key
Extension
MI
Extension/Enrichment (LSI Quadrant IV):
Students that have mastered the lab assignments, can peer-tutor students (one-onone) that are having difficulty with performing the lab.
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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
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Computer Technician
Name ________________________
Date _________________________
Printers Exam
True/False
In the space provided beside each statement, indicate whether the sentence or statement is true or false.
1. Generally, printers fall into two categories: impact and nonimpact.
2. Dot matrix printers are the most commonly used printing devices.
3. Faster printers are generally more expensive than slower ones.
4. Snapshot printers are used for printing images created with digital cameras or scanned.
5. A plotter is typically used to print large-format drawings.
6. A laser printer uses magnetic impulses to transfer toner from a drum to a piece of paper.
7. When buying a printer, the most important consideration is its ability to print graphics.
8. Ink jet printers use tiny nozzles to spray ink onto the paper.
Multiple Choice
Identify the letter of the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.
9. Which of the following criteria is not important when evaluating printers?
a. Image quality
b. Speed
c. Weight
d. Cost of operation
10. The cost of a printer's operation can be affect by
a. Type of paper used
b. Number of graphics printed
c. Resolution
d. All of the above
11. This can be a problem with snapshot printers.
a. Smearing
b. Overheating
c. Poor quality
d. Lack of supplies
12. Which of the following is not found in a laser printer?
a. Laser
b. CPU
c. Memory
d. Print head
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Short Answer
Answer each of the following questions in the space provided:
13. How does an impact printer create an image?
14. Dot matrix printers are still popular in business and academic settings. Why?
15. Explain the connection and set up process of a printer.
16. Describe the general troubleshooting techniques of printers.
17. Why would a large company prefer a network printer over a shared printer?
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Computer Technician
Name ________________________
Date _________________________
Printers Exam Key
True/False
In the space provided beside each statement, indicate whether the sentence or statement is true or false.
__T__ 1. Generally, printers fall into two categories: impact and nonimpact.
__F__ 2. Dot matrix printers are the most commonly used printing devices.
__T__ 3. Faster printers are generally more expensive than slower ones.
__T _ 4. Snapshot printers are used for printing images created with digital cameras or scanned.
__T _ 5. A plotter is typically used to print large-format drawings.
_ F _ 6. A laser printer uses magnetic impulses to transfer toner from a drum to a piece of paper.
__F _ 7. When buying a printer, the most important consideration is its ability to print graphics.
__T _ 8. Ink jet printers use tiny nozzles to spray ink onto the paper.
Multiple Choice
Identify the letter of the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.
C
A
A
D
9. Which of the following criteria is not important when evaluating printers?
a. Image quality
b. Speed
c. Weight
d. Cost of operation
10. The cost of a printer's operation can be affect by
a. Type of paper used
b. Number of graphics printed
c. Resolution
d. All of the above
11. This can be a problem with snapshot printers.
a. Smearing
b. Overheating
c. Poor quality
d. Lack of supplies
12. Which of the following is not found in a laser printer?
a. Laser
b. CPU
c. Memory
d. Print head
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Short Answer
Answer each of the following questions in the space provided:
13. How does an impact printer create an image?
An impact printer creates an image by pressing an inked ribbon against the paper, using pins or
hammers to shape the image.
18. Dot matrix printers are still popular in business and academic settings. Why?
Dot matrix printers are still popular in business and academic settings because they are
relatively fast and inexpensive to operate, and they do a good job of printing text and simple
graphics.
19. Explain the connection and set up process of a printer.
1. Before connecting a printer, turn off the computer.
2. If necessary, remove any spacers or tape used to secure the printer's internal components
during shipping. Then assemble the printer according to the instructions in the printer’s
documentation.
3. Connect the printer cable to the port on the printer.
4. Connect the printer cable to a parallel port at the back of the computer. Some printers
connect to a USB port.
5. Connect the power cable to the power connector on the printer.
6. Plug the power cable into an electrical outlet.
7. All printers require a driver to operate. A driver is the software that allows the computer’s
operating system to communicate with and control the printer.
20. Describe the general troubleshooting techniques of printers.
▪ Most printers, such as ink-jet printers, use a series of beeps to alert you or display a
message that tell you a problem has occurred.
▪ Paper jams are the most common type of printer problem. Most printers have panels that
can be opened to check the paper jam. Be careful when pulling a jammed paper, some
printers contain many small sensors that may be damaged by forceful pulling.
▪ To improve the quality of printed images, check the printer's documentation to find the size,
composition and weight of the paper the printer can use.
▪ You should clean your printer on a regular basis. You can use a computer vacuum cleaner
or a can of compressed air to remove dust and dirt from most printers.
▪ Check the configuration of the computer including drivers, physical connection and
compatibility with the operating system.
21. Why would a large company prefer a network printer over a shared printer?
▪ A network printer is accessible by all on the same network without the issue of being
dependent on a host computer’s reliability.
▪ A network printer needs less administration.
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