Computer Hardware and Networks Curriculum and Unit Plans Course Understandings Troubleshooting well requires specific knowledge, experience, and persistence. We live in exponential times - hardware, software, and communication networks are all evolving at an exponential rate. The primary structure and design of personal computers has remained relatively unchanged despite their exponential evolution. Modern hardware and software, along with ubiquitous Internet access, are dramatically reshaping todayʼs societies and economies. Course Essential Questions How has the design of personal computers changed since their origin? In what ways has it remained the same? How have computer networks changed since their origin? In what ways have they remained the same? How have personal computers and the Internet impacted humanity? What impact have folks like Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Linus Torvalds, Mark Zuckerberg, Sergey Brin and Larry Page had on personal computers, The Internet and popular culture? Based on both past and current trends, where are personal computers, The Internet, and communication networks heading? Course Skills / Content Define, install and troubleshoot the major hardware components of a personal computer Properly install and customize various computer operating systems including: Windows, Linux and Mac OSX Format, partition and customize hard disk drives (including a dual boot system) Install and use various software applications including: productivity suites, browsers, and other FOSS (Free and Open Source Software) Explain the many ways computers read, write, process and store data Make educated technology purchases Define the various types and structures of networks Construct networks with various hardware devices and network protocols Identify and troubleshoot various computer malware Course Assessments: Quizzes Exams Labs Research Projects Oral Presentations Class Participation
1 PC ANATOMY - What are the major components of a personal computer? - How have these components evolved over time? - Despite advancements - Identify the major components found on a PC motherboard in performance, computer - Install various devices onto a PC motherboard, including hard motherboards and drives, optical drives, RAM, and expansion cards components have remained relatively unchanged - PC Anatomy Lab (Students identify and install all of the major components to a motherboard without my assistance) Motherboards, hard drives, optical drives, ribbon cables, power supplies RAM sticks, and expansion cards 2 DATA PROCESSING - How do computers process and generate digital content (text, audio, and video)? - Ultimately, all digital content is the arrangement of binary code (0s and 1s) - Understand the basics of the Binary Number System - Explain how the major components and devices of a computer process and generate digital content (including the CPU, Northbridge, Southbridge, RAM, Expansion cards) - Binary Number System Quiz - Motherboard Anatomy Quiz - Data Processing Quiz - Motherboards - Doc - Binary 101 (task) - Doc - Binary Review - Video - Scott Mueller MBs - Doc - Motherboard Anatomy - ppt - Data Processing - ppt - Evolution of CPUs 3 DATA STORAGE - How do computers store binary data? - How has data storage evolved? - Over time, computers - Understand (scientifically) the four different ways computers store - Evolution of Data Storage Task - Doc - Evolution of Data have stored binary data in binary data (paper, magnetism, optical and flash) four different ways: paper, magnetism, optical (lasers), and flash memory - Data Storage Quiz Storage - Video - Inside a HDD - Video - Solid State HDDs - Video - War Games 4 PERIPHERAL DEVICES - All peripheral devices - What devices can be (with the exception of connected to BlueTooth) require computers to specific cables and ports enhance their to work properly. capabilities? - Which ports and cables do these various devices use? - Identify (by name) the ports and cables used to connect every major peripheral device to a PC (and/or Mac). - Cables and Ports Task - Cables and Ports Quizzes - Cables and Ports Lab - Doc - Ports and Cables - Actual cables, laptops and desktops
5 PC OPERATION - What is the purpose of a computerʼs operating system? - How do you install an operating system properly? 6 PC TROUBLESHOOTING - What are the most common problems users face when dealing with PC hardware? - What are some effective ways to solve these common problems? 7 FREE AND OPEN SOURCE SOFTWARE (FOSS) - What is FOSS? - What makes FOSS different from proprietary software (Ex. MS Explorer)? - What are the advantages and disadvantages to FOSS? - All computers require a properly installed operating system as well as drivers. - Troubleshooting computers well requires a set of learned procedures and skills that improve with experience. - Properly install Microsoft XP and drivers onto donated Dells. - Install a second(slave) HHD - PC Lab (partners) - Donated Dells - Microsoft XP disks - Show Pirates of Silicon Valley (docudrama detailing the history of Apple and Microsoft) - Learn to systematically troubleshoot various (simulated) hardware - PC Bugs Lab (w/ partners) - Donated Dells problems (aka bugs ) - PC Troubleshooting Lab (solo) - PC Bugs Task Record sheet - - PC Troubleshooting Lab - FOSS has had a major - Find, install and use various examples of FOSS including Firefox, impact on consumers Picassa, Joli Cloud, and many more. and the software industry. - Create a dual boot by installing Ubuntu (Linux) - FOSS Lab (install and explore various examples of FOSS) - Various videos defining FOSS - 60 Minutes segment - OLPC (One Laptop Per Child)
8 SYSTEM OPTIMIZATION - What are some of the most effective (and cheapest) ways to improve a computerʼs performance? - There are a large number of factors beyond a fast CPU that increase a computerʼs overall performance. - Identify the factors which have the largest impact on a computerʼs performance. - Research CPUs, RAM and Video Cards - Discussion: Compare and Contrast CPUs, RAM, and Video Cards - System Optimization Quiz Videos: Scott Muellerʼs Intel vs. AMD Overclocking Cooling Systems 9 PC PURCHASE SCENARIOS - When purchasing a new computer, how do you get the best system for your money? - The educated consumer (typically) gets more value for their money. - Understand how computer companies merchandise and sell their equipment online. - Develop the knowledge and skills necessary to get the best value for their money. - PC Purchase Scenarios (3) -Doc - PC Purchase Scenarios
10 INTRODUCTION TO NETWORKS - Why network computers? - What is a network? - Define and identify the benefits of computer networks. - Computer networks and - Identify the hardware necessary to construct a network The Internet have expanded the capabilities of computer and communication exponentially. - Network Glossary Quiz #1 - Intro to Networks (ppt) - Network Glossary 11 NETWORK TOPOLOGIES - How have networks evolved? - How has the job of a network administrator changed? - The goals of all network topologies have remained constant: maximize speed, scalability, and reliability while minimizing cost and administration. - Understand physical topology (how PCs are arranged physically) - Understand logical topology (how data is sent and received) - Network Topologies Quiz - Network Topologies (ppt) 12 PCs, THE INTERNET AND GLOBALIZATION - How have computers and The Internet impacted humanity? Access to knowledge (via the Internet) has leveled the social and economic playing field everywhere and impacted the human race unlike any other time in human history. - Understand the impact computers and The Internet have had on humanity, particularly when it comes to communication, globalization, and the dissemination of information. - Identify and understand the 10 Forces That Flattened the World (according to Thomas Friedman). - Participation during reading discussions - Part 2 of Thomas Friedmanʼs The World is Flat
13 NETWORK CONFIGURATION - What hardware and software are necessary to create a network? - What are the steps for constructing a peer to peer network (aka Workgroup)? - Workgroups are relatively easy to set up and allow clients to share files and hardware resources. - Learn the steps necessary to configure a workgroup (10 or fewer computers) - Identify and understand the hardware necessary for constructing a network. - Constructing a Network Lab - Constructing a Network Quiz - Donated Dells - XP - Switches - Router - CAT5 cables 14 MALWARE - What is malware? - Malware costs - How do you avoid it? consumers and - How do you get rid of companies hundreds it? millions of dollars each year. - Understand how various malware threats operate. - Learn how to protect against and/ remove these malware threats. - - Famous Viruses research project - Malware Quiz - Malware Videos - 10 Ways to Protect Yourself from Malware (doc)
15 INDEPENDENT RESEARCH - What technology would you like to find out more about? - Computer hardware and network technologies have and continue to develop at such an exponential rate. - Research (in depth) a technology topic of their choosing. - Understand the impact that technology has had or will have on our society. - Independent Research Presentation - Principles of Multimedia Presentations (ppt) - Research Notes Document