Computer Tech Support Lead Instructor Technology Department Fall 2014 1 Semester, 1 Credit Repeatable Mr. Brad Thompson Room 1109 thompsonb@wl.k12.in.us Mr. Zachary Baiel baielz@wl.k12.in.us Mr. Jim Beck beckj@wl.k12.in.us Mr. Mark Boyd markb@wl.k12.in.us Mr. Ben Colglazier colglazierb@wl.k12.in.us General Course Info Computer Tech Support is a vocational class that allows students to explore how computers work. Students learn the functionality of the hardware and software components as well as suggested best practices in maintenance and safety issues. Through hands on activities and labs, students learn how to assemble and configure a computer, install operating systems and software, and troubleshoot hardware and software problems. Students will also gain experience by collaborating with the corporation IT staff on computer support tasks and other technology projects. Textbook / Resources Our primary text is online - TestOut LabSim, available at http://testout.com. Login info will be provided in class. Several online resources may also be utilized, including: Wikipedia WikiBooks MIT OpenCourseWare StackExchange Microsoft TechNet & Virtual Academy There are also several books available in the classroom that can be used for reference. We ll be heavily using Moodle (https://moodle.wl.k12.in.us) throughout the course. We will also be using Firefight (https://apps.wl.k12.in.us/firefight), the technology department support ticket/asset management/project management system to assign tasks & manage some larger projects. Please check your school email accounts on a daily basis as well! You re also probably going to want to bring earbuds/headphones on a regular basis. Dual Credit The first 3 semesters of the class are aligned with classes at Ivy Tech to allow you to earn college credit as well as high school credit: 1st semester: INFM 109 - Informatics Fundamentals 2nd & 3rd semester: ITSP 135 - Hardware/Software Support The 2nd & 3rd semesters are also aligned with the 2 tests required for A+ certification.
Grading Grades will be calculated as follows for your report cards. There will be no rounding up to the next letter grade. A A- B+ B B- C+ C C- D+ D D- F >93 90 87 83 80 77 73 70 67 63 60 60> Homework - 30% You ll have a 1-3 short homework assignments to complete each week. Most assignments will be completed online, either on Moodle or LabSim. Most of the time, you ll be able to re-do online assignments as many times as it takes for you to prove that you ve mastered the material. Homework is worth 10 points a week. Quizzes, Labs, & Projects - 30% You ll be completing multiple-choice and short-answer quizzes in class on a fairly regular basis. There will also be a hands-on lab approximately once every two weeks. There will be a couple of larger projects assigned throughout the semester as well. Independent Projects - 15% You are required to complete at least 1 independent project each 9 weeks. This could mean researching a topic and delivering a report, white paper, or presentation, collaborating with the IT staff & other school personnel to research and/or implement a real-world solution around the school, or anything in between. You will also work with the instructor to develop an appropriate rubric for evaluating your project. Grades will be calculated by averaging the scores for all the projects you ve completed by the end of the 9 weeks/semester. More detailed requirements will be distributed at a later date. Participation - 15% Participating during class earns you 5 points per period. Being off task or disruptive will result in you losing some or all of your participation points for the day. Part of your participation score is coming in outside of class for more hands on time & to work on projects. You are required to earn 50 points worth of outside work per semester. 1 hour will usually be worth 5 points, assuming you re actually doing something productive Opportunities for staying after school to work on specific projects will be provided several times throughout the semester, and other arrangements can be made with the technology staff to come in after school, during study hall, etc. Smaller opportunities to check on things at lunch, on your way to class, etc. may also be made available from time to time. There may be opportunities available on break days as well. You can also earn up to 50 extra points here by going over the required time. Final Exam - 10% A large exam will be given during the final exam period at the end of the semester. Expect a mix of multiple choice, short answer, short narrative, and maybe a hands-on component. Deductions Nonexempt absences will affect your grade as described in the student handbook. 1% will be subtracted from your 9 weeks grade for each nonexempt absence past 9. Additional non-exempt absences may result in you being removed from the class. 2% will be subtracted for each class period of truancy. Other consequences specified in the student code of conduct will also apply.
Absences Please be here if at all possible. However, please keep your germs to yourself & stay home if you re sick! Missed participation points can be made up outside of class. If you are absent, please check in with me to figure out what you ve missed & to schedule any make-up work if necessary. Showing Up to Class & Tardies Most of the time, you will be expected to report to our classroom near the office for class. You must be completely inside the room when the bell rings to not be counted tardy. On occasion we may meet somewhere else, so please pay attention and don t be late because you went to the wrong place. Leaving the Classroom If you need to leave the room to use the restroom, get something from your locker, etc, ask me and I will most likely let you leave as long as we re not in the middle of something. You will be sent out to complete various tasks around the school on occasion - please use discretion when deciding to make side trips. If we find that you ve been abusing your privileges, they will go away. Classroom Behavior & Discipline Procedures This is obviously not a typical class - you have a great deal of freedom, so a great deal of responsibility is expected from you. Please behave like decent, respectable young professionals that you are. Any discipline problems of any kind will result in a loss of participation points, losing privileges, or other suitable consequences as specified in the student code of conduct. Chronic issues will result in you being removed from the class. Academic Integrity Cheating can be defined as completing an assignment by using any resources not allowed or generally available to other students in similar circumstances, and which are not explicitly cited by the student as references and aides. Examples of cheating include copying someone else s work, using notes on a test when not explicitly allowed, accessing or altering computer systems to gain access to restricted materials, or encouraging anyone to engage in any of these actions. If we determine that you have cheated on something, you will receive a 0 on that assignment. If you cheat again, you will be removed from the class and receive an F for the semester. In short, cheating is bad - don t do it! If you ever have any questions about whether whether what you re doing is OK, please ask me! Laptops You will be issued a school-owned laptop to use for school-related business. You and your parent/guardian need to sign & return the attached laptop loan form before you will be issued a laptop. All provisions of the WLCSC NUA are still in force while using these laptops. Note that you will be an administrator on your machine - which means that if you have issues, you re expected to (at least attempt to) fix it! Asking Questions & Getting More Help If you ever have any questions or concerns, email is the best way to get in touch with me - my schedule isn t exactly set in stone most of the day. If you ever want to meet, email me and we can set up a time. - Mr. Brad Thompson 765-746-0400 x 4706 thompsonb@wl.k12.in.us http://apps.wl.k12.in.us/u/~thompsonb/
Computer Tech Support Policies Agreement Form Students: I have read the course information, policies, assignments, and grading process for Computer Tech Support. My signature below indicates that I understand the requirements and policies for this course and agree to adhere to them throughout the duration of the course. Student Signature: Date: Parents: I have read the course information, policies, assignments, and grading process for Computer Tech Support. My signature below indicates that I understand the requirements and policies for this course. Parent Signature: Date:
Course Topics All numbers in []s refer to the Indiana State Standards for this course. Numbers beginning with RT signify the Indiana State Reading Standards for Technical Subjects. Numbers beginning with WT signify the Indiana State Writing Standards for Technical Subjects. Ivy Tech objectives are listed in bold. Every Semester Being a Computer Support Professional [6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 15, 16] Interacting with users in a professional manner, documentation/reporting procedures, implementing safe work procedures Troubleshooting & Debugging [2.1, 2.8, RT1, RT2, RT3, RT4, RT5, RT6, RT7, RT8, RT9, WT7, WT9, 23] Applying troubleshooting methodologies, finding & reading documentation Technical Writing & Presenting [WT1, WT2, WT3, WT4, WT5, WT6, WT8] Writing documentation, presenting information in a clear & concise manner Semester I - Dual Credit with INFM 109 - Informatics Fundamentals Introduction to Computing [1.1, 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 1,2,3,4] Basic hardware & software, history of computing Operating system concepts [3.1, 5, 9] File system, process & memory management, device communication Intro Windows management [2.10, 3.2, 5] Installing Windows, registry, boot process, common command line operations Intro Linux management [5] Choosing & installing a distro, common software, file layout, command line Intro Networking [4.3, 6, 7, 8] How computers communicate, set up small network & Internet connectivity, cloud computing Information Systems [10, 11, 12, 13] Organizational computing, system design & life cycle, information security Semester II - Dual Credit with ITSP 135 - Hardware/Software Support / A+ 220-801 Exam Hardware Components [1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 3.3, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 12] Identifying computer components & their functions, designing custom computers, computer maintenance, laptop-specific hardware Networking [2.4, 4.2, 4.1, 4.4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11] Network connections & hardware, common protocols, connecting to the Internet, wireless networking Printers [1.4, 1.5, 2.11, 13, 14] Types of printers, printer setup & configuration, maintenance procedures Semester III - Dual Credit with ITSP 135 - Hardware/Software Support / A+ 220-802 Exam Windows [3.1, 2.9, 2.10, 3.2, 17, 18, 19] Windows versions, installation, administration tools Virtualization [3.4, 20] Virtualization environments, virtual machine management Mobile Devices [1.3] Types of mobile devices, mobile networking & security Security [2.7, 5.1, 5.2, 21, 22] Security threats, best practices Troubleshooting [2.2, 2.3, 2.5, 2.6, 2.8, 23] Troubleshooting theory, common hardware, networking, printer, & software issues Semester IV, V & VI Course topics will vary based on interests/needs of students Independent research/projects
STUDENT LAPTOP BORROWER RESPONSIBILITY FORM West Lafayette Jr/Sr High School Student Name: West Lafayette Jr/Sr High School administration offers students the ability to use loaner laptop computers at no charge as a courtesy. The administration retains the right to deny a student use of this laptop if the student is not in good standing with the school. By initialing each of the statements below, I (the Borrower) agree to the following terms and conditions: Student - Initial Items Below: I acknowledge I will adhere to the same expectations and guidelines listed in the WLCSC NUA, regardless of what network (school, home, public, etc.) I am connected to. I acknowledge that I am fully responsible for the security of the laptop and any peripheral devices once borrowed. Should the computer and/or any peripheral devices be damaged, lost, or stolen, I agree to pay up the repair or replacement. I acknowledge that laptops may be borrowed for the Fall ( ) and/or Spring ( ) semester of the 20-20 school year. I agree to pay a late fee of $10 per day, up to a maximum of $300. Computers 30 or more days overdue will be considered lost or stolen, and therefore I will be responsible for paying the replacement cost. I acknowledge that files saved to the laptop s hard disk will be discarded once it is returned to the school. I understand that the school is not responsible for any lost files, or any loss or damage of any kind resulting there from. I acknowledge that configuration and use of the laptop with non-school equipment is my responsibility. I understand that the school does not offer technical support for such instances. I agree to be the sole user of this laptop. I understand that lending or renting the laptop to anyone is a violation of this contract. Date Student s Signature Date Parent s Signature Checkout List Tag # Laptop Body Battery Power Supply Case Student Initials Tech Initials & Date
Computer Tech Support Independent Project Info One of the larger components of the course is completing at least 1 independent project each 9 weeks. The idea is for you to learn how to not only dig into technical material, but to then understand the material at a higher level, communicate your findings to different audiences, and even to apply that knowledge to evaluate or create a product to be used around the school or community. These projects are going to be very self-directed - you find something you re interested in learning about or something you d like to try and create, work with me to develop a rubric for evaluating your work, and then go make it happen. For the most part, I expect your projects to look like one of these things: Paper - you pick a topic, learn about it, then write about how it works and/or how to apply it to a real-world situation. For most topics, I would expect at least a 750-1000 word paper (around 3-4 double spaced pages). Presentation - kind of like a paper, but in presentation form. Your presentation should be at least 5 minutes long. System Implementation - come up with a useful computer-based system & implement it. This could be something completely of your own design, or something you work with us or another staff member to develop. I also expect a (short) report on what you accomplished. Note that these don t necessarily have to be legitimately useful - it just needs to be something that could be useful in some realistic situation. We need to meet before you begin any project to make sure that I approve of your topic, to plan milestones and deadlines, and to develop an evaluation rubric. Also note that the older and/or more knowledgeable you are, the more I expect from your projects (i.e. longer papers, more in-depth research, more higher level analysis & evaluation instead of simple explanations of how things work, etc.). These projects can be undertaken alone, or in pairs/groups for tasks of a sufficient size. Note that the evaluation rubric will be filled out separately for each student to make sure everyone is contributing. Depending on the project, the group members could divide the work in such a way that each person has different objectives and therefore a different rubric as well. Example Projects Good Ideas Bad Ideas Write a paper on how digital audio works Write a paper on the net neutrality debate Write a paper on how the server architecture for [insert popular MMO game here] has evolved to keep up with growth & demand Give a presentation on the basics of 3D modelling Work with the technology staff to develop & present a staff training session on using Google Drive in the classroom Work with the technology staff & guidance department to research & implement a bullying reporting system Learn about Windows Server and build a small domain controller. Write a paper on different computing careers Give a presentation on why [insert popular video game here] is the best video game ever Clean & organize Infinite Storage