Valencia High School
Val Tech Course Syllabus
Computer Maintenance (IT Essentials)
1 Year Course M-F
Period 3
Room 806
Instructor:
Mr. Osborne
Phone:
(714) 996-4970 ext. 10806
Email:
dosborne@pylusd.org
Office Hours: T-W-TH Before School by appointment
Textbook
Online curriculum available at http://www.netacad.com
Textbooks are available at Cisco Press under Cisco Networking Academy section but not required.
IT Essentials PC Hardware and Software Course Booklet, Version 5
ISBN-10: 1-58713-309-1 or ISBN-13: 978-1-58713-309-1
IT Essentials: PC Hardware and Software Lab Manual, 5th Edition
ISBN-10: 1-58713-310-5 or ISBN-13: 978-1-58713-310-7
IT Essentials: PC Hardware and Software Companion Guide, 5th Edition
ISBN-10: 1-58713-308-3 or ISBN-13: 978-1-58713-308-4
Course Overview
This course focuses on desktop and laptop computers. It also discusses mobile electronic
devices, such as tablets and smart phones.
In this course, you will gain the specialized technical skills needed to install, maintain, secure,
and repair computers.
Earning an industry-standard certification provides confidence and increases your
opportunities in IT. This course is focused on preparing for the industry-standard certification;
CompTIA A+
Course Pre-Requisites
Required:
Recommended:
None
Algebra 1 and/or Comp Tech
Course Resources
Online Learning at http://www.netacad.com
Academy NetSpace at http://www.academynetspace.com
Cisco Learning Institute at https://learningnetwork.cisco.com
Microsoft IT Academy, Microsoft Virtual PC and Sun Systems VirtualBox
Equipment used in class, real life tech troubleshooting and repair on school computer systems, teacher
instruction, operating systems to take home and use on your personal computers and teacher tutoring
during office hours.
Grading
Your grade in this class will be based on take home and in class assignments, technician’s journal, labs,
chapter exam scores, a hands on skills final and an online comprehensive final.
Assignments
Labs
Chapter exams
Hands-on Skills Final
Online Final
Tech Journal
15%
15%
20%
20%
20%
10%
100% - 90%
89.9%- 75%
74.9%- 60%
59.9%- 40%
39.9%- 0%
A
B
C
D
F
Valencia High School
Val Tech Course Syllabus
Your final grade will be determined by the total number of points received compared to the total number
of points available. If you receive an 89.9 you will get a B+, NOT an A-!! Please check your grade
repeatedly during the semester!!!!
NO HOMEWORK MAY BE TURNED IN LATE unless prior arrangements have been made with
the instructor, or you have an EXCUSED absence. LATE IS IF YOU TURN IN THE
ASSIGNMENT AFTER THE POSTED DUE TIME IN NETSPACE. It is the student’s
responsibility to find out what the homework assignment was during the class that was missed.
The student is still responsible for turning in that assignment!!!!
Course Objectives by Chapter
Chapter 1: Introduction to the Personal Computer
Objectives
 Describe personal computer systems.
 Identify the names, purposes, and characteristics of:
 Cases and power supplies
 Internal components
 Ports and cables
 Input and output devices
 Describe situations requiring replacement of computer components.
 Select a case and power supply based on customer needs.
 Select the PC components based on customer needs.
 Describe hardware configurations for task-specific computers.
 Evaluate and select hardware for specialized computer systems.
Chapter 2: Lab Procedures and Tool Use
Objectives
• Explain the purpose of safe working conditions and procedures.
• Identify safety procedures and potential hazards for users and technicians.
• Identify tools and software used with personal computer components and their purposes.
• Identify hardware tools and their purpose.
• Identify software tools and their purpose.
• Identify organizational tools and their purpose.
• Demonstrate proper use of an antistatic wrist strap and an antistatic mat.
Chapter 3: Computer Assembly
Objectives
 Assemble a desktop computer.
 Open the case and install the power supply.
 Install all of the drives in the computer case.
 Install all of the adapter cards on the motherboard.
Valencia High School
Val Tech Course Syllabus
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Connect all of the power cables, data cables, front panel cables, and external cables in the computer,
and reassemble the case.
Boot the computer for the first time.
Identify beep codes and enter the BIOS setup program.
Describe BIOS setup screens and items.
Upgrade and configure components in a computer system to meet a customer’s requirements.
Upgrade and configure a motherboard, CPU, RAM, and BIOS.
Upgrade and configure storage devices.
Upgrade and configure input and output devices.
Chapter 4: Overview of Preventative Maintenance
Objectives
• Describe the purpose and benefits of preventive maintenance for personal computers.
• Explain the purpose of PC preventive maintenance.
• Identify the steps of the troubleshooting process and perform basic PC troubleshooting.
• List and explain the purpose of each of the troubleshooting process steps.
• Identify common problems and solutions for PCs.
Chapter 5: Operating Systems
Objectives
• Explain the purpose of an operating system.
• Describe characteristics of modern operating systems.
• Describe desktop and network operating systems.
• Determine applications, environments, and minimum hardware that are compatible with an OS and
the customers' needs.
• Describe upgrading an operating system.
• Perform an operating system installation.
• Identify hard drive setup procedures.
• Prepare a hard drive for the installation of an operating system.
• Perform an operating system installation using default settings,
• Create computer user accounts.
• Complete the operating system installation.
• Describe custom installation options.
• Identify the boot sequence and registry files.
• Explore common tools and utilities of the Windows GUI.
• Manipulate items on a desktop.
• Use Windows tools to install, navigate, and uninstall an application
• Identify and describe administrative tools
• Explain control panel utilities common to all Microsoft operating systems.
• Explain control panel utilities unique to Windows 7, unique to Vista, and unique to XP.
Valencia High School
Val Tech Course Syllabus
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Use Command Line tools to install an OS.
Explain client-side virtualization.
Describe the purpose and requirements of virtual machines
Describe the resource requirements of virtual machines.
Describe the emulator requirements of virtual machines.
Describe the hypervisor of virtual machines.
Identify and apply common preventive maintenance techniques for operating systems
Create a preventive maintenance plan
Create a task that is performed automatically according to a schedule
Create a back up of the hard drive
Troubleshoot operating systems.
Apply the six steps of the troubleshooting process to operating systems.
Identify common problems and solutions for operating systems.
Chapter 6: Networks
Objectives
• Explain the principles of networking.
• Describe types of networks.
• Describe basic networking concepts and technologies.
• Describe the physical components of a network.
• Describe network topologies
• Identify Ethernet standards.
• Explain OSI and TCP/IP data models.
• Describe how to configure a NIC and a modem.
• Identify names, purposes, and characteristics of other technologies that are used to establish
connectivity.
• Describe and perform preventive maintenance on a network.
• Troubleshoot networks.
Chapter 7: Laptops
Objectives
• Describe the purpose of laptop features.
• Explain the purpose and location of laptop components, special function keys; and compare and
contrast a docking station with a port replicator.
• Compare and contrast desktop and laptop components.
• Describe laptop display components.
• Compare and contrast the types of laptop displays.
• Compare and contrast the types of laptop internal display components.
• Describe how to configure laptop power settings.
• Describe and configure wireless communication technology for laptops.
Valencia High School
Val Tech Course Syllabus
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Describe the removal and installation of laptop components.
Describe the removal and installation of laptop expansion capabilities.
Describe the removal and installation of laptop hardware devices.
Identify common preventive maintenance techniques for laptops.
Describe how to schedule and perform laptop maintenance.
Apply the six steps of the troubleshooting process to networks.
Chapter 8: Mobile Devices
Objectives
• Explain mobile device hardware
• Identify components of mobile devices
• Describe the features and characteristics of mobile operating systems
• Compare and contrast Android and iOS operating systems
• Establish Basic Network Connectivity and Configure Email on mobile devices
• Describe mobile device synchronization
• Compare and contrast methods for securing mobile devices
• Explain antivirus applications on mobile devices
• Apply the six steps of troubleshooting process to mobile devices
Chapter 9: Printers
Objectives
• Describe the types of printers currently available.
• Describe the installation and configuration process for printers.
• Describe the potential safety hazards and safety procedures associated with printers and scanners.
• Install and configure a local printer.
• Describe how to share a printer on a network
• Identify and apply common preventive maintenance techniques for printers
• Troubleshoot printers.
Chapter 10: Security
Objectives
• Explain why security is important.
• Describe security threats.
• Explain social engineering, data wiping, hard drive destruction and recycling.
• Identify security procedures.
• Explain what is required in a basic security policy.
• Describe ways to protect data.
• Describe protection against malicious software.
• Describe wireless security techniques
• Explain the tasks required to protect physical equipment.
Valencia High School
Val Tech Course Syllabus
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Identify common preventive maintenance techniques for security.
Explain measures to maintain operating systems, backup data, configure firewalls, and maintain
accounts.
Troubleshoot security.
Apply the six steps of the troubleshooting process to security.
Chapter 11: The IT Professional
Objectives
• Explain why good communication skills are a critical part of IT work.
• Explain the relationship between good communication skills, troubleshooting, and professional
behavior.
• Use communication skills and professional behavior while working with a customer.
• Manage time, observe SLAs and follow business policies.
• Explain legal and ethical issues that arise in the IT industry and appropriate behavior when faced
with these issues.
• Describe ethical and legal issues in the IT industry and be able to explain the difference.
• Identify prohibited content and activities, report through proper channels and preserve data and
devices.
• Describe the call center environment and technician responsibilities.
Chapter 12: Advanced Troubleshooting
Objectives
• Troubleshoot computer components and peripherals.
• Apply the six steps of the troubleshooting process to computer components and peripherals.
• Troubleshoot operating systems.
• Apply the six steps of the troubleshooting process to operating systems.
• Troubleshoot networks.
• Apply the six steps of the troubleshooting process to networks.
• Troubleshoot laptops.
• Apply the six steps of the troubleshooting process to laptops.
• Troubleshoot printers.
• Apply the six steps of the troubleshooting process to printers.
• Troubleshoot security
• Apply the six steps of the troubleshooting process to security.
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