CSIS-181 ~ 1957

Computer Hardware ~ Level 1

Class Schedule - Mr. Ron Lehr - Spring, 2006

Wednesdays, 6:00 ~ 9:50

January

01/25 ~ Week 01 ~ Chapter 01: How Computers Work

Introductory meeting and handouts.
The “ON/OFF” switch.
Using the keyboard and the mouse.
Exploring our Blackboard and CSIS-181 Course Web Sites
Exploring our textbooks.
Safety Issues
Research Paper Topic Discussion
Inside a PC - Demo
Homework: Read: “Preface and Introduction” sections in both textbooks by 2/01/06.
Homework: Investigate the “CD-ROM” included with our main textbook. What’s on it? Complete by 2/01/06.
Homework: Read Chapter 1: “How Computers Work” by 2/01/06.
Homework: Read Chapter 2: “How Hardware & Software Work Together” by 2/01/06.
Homework: Read Chapter 3: “Understanding the Boot Process [section]” by 2/01/06.
Homework: Reviewing the Basics, Questions, #1 through 20, Chapter 1, (Pages 36~37), Due: 2/01/06 at the start of class.

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February

02/01 ~ Week 02 ~ Chapter 02: How Hardware & Software Work Together
& Discussion of Chapter 3, “Understanding the Boot Process”.

POST, Boot Process, BIOS & CMOS Settings - Part 1.
How Hardware & Software Work Together.
Inside a PC – Class (Lab 1.2)
Computer Lab Exercise. (To be announced and completed in class.)
Homework: Read Chapter 4: “Electricity & Power Supplies” by 2/08/06.
Homework: Read Appendix E: “Electricity and Multimeters” pages 1123~1139 by 2/08/06 Note: Read the exercises presented near the end of the appendix - you are not required to perform the actual steps described.
Homework: Reviewing the Basics, Questions, #1 through 25, Chapter 4, (Pages 155~156), Due: 2/08/06 at the start of class.

02/08 ~ Week 03 ~ Chapter 04: Electricity & Power Supplies

Basics of electricity, power supplies, UPS, power topics.
Computer Lab Exercise. (To be announced and completed in class.)
Semester Research Paper Topic Selection Due
Test: Chapters 1, 2, & 3.
Review test on Chapters 1, 2 and 3.
Homework: Read Chapter 5: “The Motherboard” by 2/15/06.
Homework: Reviewing the Basics, briefly answer the All twenty-five (25) questions from Chapter 5, (Page 233~234). Due: 2/15 at the start of class.

02/15 ~ Week 04 ~ Chapter 04: The Motherboard (Part 1)

Turn-in Homework due today. Note: Don’t forget your Cover Page.
Review and self-grade homework.
In-class review: Types and components of motherboards (Chapter 5).
Computer Lab Exercises (In class): Lab 1.3 and Lab 4.4.
Homework: Reviewing the Basics, briefly answer the All twenty-five (25) questions from Chapter 5, (Page 233~234). Due: 2/22 at the start of class.
Homework: Project 1, “Research the Intel Web Site” - Project 5-9; (Page 237). Due: 2/22 at the start of class.
Homework: Read Chapter 6: “Managing Memory” by 2/22/06.

02/22 ~ Week 05 ~ Chapter 05: The Motherboard (Part 2); Chapter 06: Managing Memory

Turn-in Homework due today. Note: Don’t forget your Cover Page.
Turn-in Project 1 “Research the Intel Web Site”; (Page 237). Note: Don’t forget your Cover Page.
In-class review: Buses and expansion slots, installing and supporting motherboards (Chapter 5).
In-class Lab # 5.4 Remove and Replace the Motherboard (Page 99~101).
Test on Chapter 5, “The Motherboard”.
Homework: On Chapter 6: “Managing Memory”: To be announced.
Homework: Read Chapter 7: “Floppy Drives” by 3/01/06.

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March

03/01 ~ Week 06 ~ Chapter 06: Managing Memory (Part 2) & Chapter 07: Floppy Drives

Turn-in Homework due today. Note: Don’t forget your Cover Page.
Review Project 1 homework; review test on Chapter 5; review Chapter 6 homework.
In-class review: Types and Features of RAM [PC Memory] (Chapter 6).
Discussion and Lab Exercise on Chapter 6. (To be announced and completed in class.)
Test on Chapter 6, “Managing Memory”.
POST, Boot Process, BIOS & CMOS Settings - Part 2
In-class review: Floppy Drives (Chapter 7).
Homework: Read Chapter 8: “Understanding and Installing Hard Drives” by 3/08/06.
Homework: Read Chapter 9: “Optimizing & Protecting Hard Drives” by 3/08/06.
Homework: To be Announced.
Homework - Project 2: To be Announced. Due: 3/29 at the start of class. Note: Don’t forget your Cover Page.

03/08 ~ Week 07 ~ Chapter 08: Understanding / Supporting Hard Drives & Chapter 09: , Optimizing & Protecting Hard Drives

Turn-in Homework due today. Note: Don’t forget your Cover Page.
Review test on Chapters 6 in class.
Anything going on Chapter 7 other than the homework?
In-class Lab: Labs 8-1 through 8-9 and 9.5. (Note: Not all labs will be completed - the Lab selection will be based on topics covered and time available).
Test on Chapter 8, “Understanding / Supporting Hard Drives” and Chapter 9, “Optimizing & Protecting Hard Drives”.
Homework: To be Announced.
Homework - Project 2: Are there any questions? [Semester Project #2: Evaluate and interpret the BIOS data of your computer - both the current settings and those settings that are options but not selected. Use a Lab computer if you don’t have one or don’t want to use a personal one. If you use a Lab system - get permission first.]. Due: 3/29 at the start of class. Note: Don’t forget your Cover Page.
Homework: Read Chapter 10: “Supporting I/O Devices” by 3/15/06.

03/15 ~ Week 08 ~ Chapter 10: Supporting I/O Devices

Turn-in Homework due today. Note: Don’t forget your Cover Page.
Review test on Chapters 8 and 9 in class.
In-class review: Serial, parallel, USB, 1394, keyboards/pointing devices, video and other I/O devices - Chapter 10).
In-class Lab: Project 10-5, page 470
In-class Lab: Labs 10.3, 105 and 10.6. (Note: Not all labs will be completed - the Lab selection will be based on topics covered and time available).
Test on Chapter 10, “Supporting I/O Devices”.
Homework: Read Chapter 11: “Multimedia Devices and Mass Storage” by 3/22/06.
Homework: To be Announced.

03/22 ~ Week 09 ~ Chapter 11: Multimedia Devices and Mass Storage

Turn-in Homework due today.
Review test on 10 in class.
In-class review: Multimedia Devices and Mass Storage (Chapter 11).
In-class Lab: Labs 11-1 and 11.4 (Demo). (Note: Not all labs will be completed - the Lab selection will be based on topics covered and time available).
Test on Chapter 11, “Multimedia Devices and Mass Storage”.
Homework: Read Chapter 17: “Supporting Modems” by 3/29/06.
Homework: To be Announced.
Reminder: Research Papers due six weeks from today (5/03/2005). This assignment can not be turned in late.

03/29 ~ Week 10 ~ Chapter 11: Multimedia Devices and Mass Storage (Part 2) and Chapter 17: Supporting Modems

Turn-in Project 2: “Investigate and Describe Your System’s BIOS”.
Turn-in Homework due today.
Review test on Chapter 11 in class.
In-class Lab: (TBD).
In-class Lab: Labs 11-1 and 11.4 (Demo). (Note: Not all labs will be completed - the Lab selection will be based on topics covered and time available).
Homework: To be Announced.
In-class review: Supporting Modems, Chapter 17 - Class Discussion
In-class Lab: Lab 17-1 (Group of 16 and Lead person).
Homework: Read Chapter 18: “PCs on a Network” by 04/12/06.
Homework: Read Chapter 19: “PCs on the Internet” by 04/12/06.

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April

Spring Break ! ! ! [04/03 - 04/08]

04/12 ~ Week 12 ~ Chapter 18: PCs on a Network & Chapter 19: PCs on the Internet

Guest Speaker: To be Announced.
Turn-in Homework due today. Note: Don’t forget your Cover Page.
In-class review: LAN basics, NICs, drivers, client software. TCP/IP.
In-class Lab: Lab 18.1, 18.4 and 19.1 [if network availability]
Field-trip: MSJC Network Patch Panel/Switch Room and Server Room.
“Homework Test” on Chapters 18 and 19 ~ Group Quiz.
Homework: To be Announced.
If you want, bring in your laptop or PDA for next our next class meeting.

04/19 ~ Week 13 ~ Chapter 20: Notebooks, Tablet PCs, and PDAs

Turn-in Homework due today. Note: Don’t forget your Cover Page.
Review group test on Chapter 18 and 19.
In-class review: Laptop features & flaws, discuss & demonstrate PDAs - Chapter 20.
In-class Lab: Labs 20-1 through 20-5. (Note: Not all labs will be completed - the Lab selection will be based on topics covered and time available).
Test on Chapter 20, “Notebooks, Tablet PCs and PDAs”.
Homework: To be Announced.
Homework: Read Chapter 21: “Supporting Printers” by 4/26/06.
Homework: Read Chapter 22: “All About SCSI” by 4/26/06.
Reminder: Research Papers due two weeks from today (5/03/2005). This assignment can not be turned in late.

04/26 ~ Week 14 ~ Chapter 21: Supporting Printers & Chapter 22: All About SCSI

Turn-in Homework due today. Note: Don’t forget your Cover Page.
Review Test on Chapter 20 in class.
Review Homework on Chapter 21 in class.
In-class review: Printer technologies and setups - Chapter 21.
In-class review: SCSI Devices - Chapter 22.
In-class Lab: Labs 21-1 through 21-3 and 22.1. (Note: Not all labs will be completed - the Lab selection will be based on topics covered and time available).
Test on Chapters 21 and 22.
Homework: To be Announced.
Homework: Read Chapter 23: “Purchasing a PC or Building Your Own” by 5/03/06.

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May

05/03 ~ Week 15 ~ Chapter 23: Purchasing a PC or Building Your Owe (Part 1)

Turn-in Semester Research Paper. Note: Don’t forget your Cover Page. Present Research Findings to Class. [2~5 minute presentation]. This assignment can not be turned in late.
Turn-in Homework due today. Note: Don’t forget your Cover Page.
Review test on Chapters 21/22 in class.
In-class review: Purchasing a PC or Building Your Owe - Chapter 23.
Test on Chapter 23, “Purchasing a PC or Building Your Own”.
Homework: Project 3 due next class meeting.
Homework: Read Chapter 24: “Troubleshooting & Maintenance Fundamentals” by 05/17/06.
Note: Last week extra credit will be accepted.

05/10 ~ Week 16 ~ Chapter 23: Purchasing a PC or Building Your Owe (Part 2)

Turn-in Project 3: The “pluses” and “minuses” of the computer advertisement you picked. Ask yourself: “Would I recommend this computer to my brother or sister?” The more detailed information you can give me to ‘Why?’ or ‘Why Not?’, the better. Don’t forget to consider the store’s policy on “Returns”. (Note: keep this separate from your other homework with its own cover page).
Turn-in Homework due today. Note: Don’t forget your Cover Page.
In-class review: Shopping for PCs / Building Guidelines (Chapter 23).
In-class review: Shopping for PCs / Buying Guidelines (Handouts).
In-class Lab: Labs 23-1 through 23-8. (Note: Not all labs will be completed - the Lab selection will be based on topics covered and time available).
Review test on Chapter 23 in class.
In-class review: Troubleshooting & Maintenance Fundamentals (Chapter 24).
Test on Chapter 24, “Troubleshooting & Maintenance Fundamentals”.
Homework: To be Announced.
Homework: Read Appendix F, “The Professional PC Technician”, pages 1,141 through 1,152 by 5/17/06.
Review the handouts I gave regarding Microsoft Certifications by 5/17/06.
Do you have your Portfolio ready? You need to have in class next class meeting (5/17/06).

05/17~ Week 17 ~ Chapter 24: Troubleshooting & Maintenance Fundamentals

Turn-in Homework due today.
“Turn-in” your Portfolio due today. (It will be reviewed individually by each student and me during class time and then kept by the student.)
Review Test on Chapter 24 in class.
In-class review: Appendix F, “The Professional PC Technician”, pages 1,141 through 1,152.
Review For FINAL EXAM.

05/24 ~ Week 18 ~ FINAL EXAM Week [May 23 ~ May 30].

The Final Exam is scheduled for Wednesday, May 24^th, 2006 from 5:30~7:30 p.m.

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Notes:

Ø Homework will include both written assignments as well as computer lab projects and assignments. Before turning-in the assignments outlined in the schedule, you must complete the computer steps contained in the project. (Don’t just read the project and then go to the exercises.) All homework is due at the beginning of the class meeting on the due date shown in the schedule.

Ø All homework / extra credit must be done in Word (not hand-written) and have a cover page showing: CSIS-181; Class Code 1957; your name; the Chapter Number; the assignment title and number; the assignment page; and the assignment due date (see sample cover page and sample extra credit cover page). Staple cover page to your work.

Ø Participation is based on your preparation and participation for the class. Preparation means reading the material and keeping-up with the homework assignments. If you participate in every class meeting for the semester, you will receive a 3% bonus at the end of the semester. If you miss participating in only one class meeting, you will receive a 2% bonus. It is in your best interest to earn this bonus to help your grade.

Ø The Final Exam will cover all material reviewed in the class from the text: A+ Guide to Managing and Maintaining Your PC [Fifth Edition], by Jean Andrews. Published by Course Technology – a Division of Thomson Learning, 2004. [ISBN: 0-619-21324-8] only. It will consist of 100 multiple-choice questions from only the chapters that were assigned and discussed in class.

Ø On tests and homework, maximum credit is earned by: following all directions and instructions; by producing a document which is professional in appearance; and by correcting grammatical errors, misspellings, or incorrectly used words.

Ø All attempts will be made to follow the course schedule as outlined. However, circumstances may require changes in the schedule for any given class meeting.

What is the topic (subject matter) of the "Site of the Week" [above]?

Sample Cover Page

Your Name

Homework Assignment:

Computer Hardware ~ Level 1
Chapter 1:
Introducing Hardware

Reviewing the Basics: Short Answer to Questions 1 - 20 (Pages 36 ~ 37).

Due: 2/01/2006