Computer Basics - Introduction to Information Technology

In this 8 lesson class students explore the the different parts of a computer and how they function, plus some basic troubleshooting steps for common computer problems.  The 8 classes are structured around the A+ certification exam. 

Introduction of Internal PC Components
Lesson 1 - Students will learn the purpose and operation of Processors and RAM.
Explore the importance of central processing units, the core processing component in every PC. You will learn the variations in technology, practical information and practice installing and troubleshooting CPUs.  Dig into the details of a foundational computer component—RAM. You will learn about the different varieties of RAM and proper techniques for installing it. Then, wrap up the lesson by troubleshooting RAM and memory problems.

Lesson 2 - Students will learn the purpose and operation of  Chipsets, BIOS and CMOS Function.
This lesson focuses on the BIOS essential programming that makes computers function. You will learn about the special tools used for storing configuration options for BIOS.

Lesson 3 - Students will learn  - Option ROM, Motherboards.
This lesson is about motherboards, the bedrock of every PC. You'll learn about form factors, types of expansion slots, and installation steps for expansion cards. The lesson also covers upgrading, installing, and troubleshooting motherboards

Lesson 4 - Students will learn about and discuss - Power Supplies and Hard Drives. 
This lesson focuses on power supplies and the basics of powering a PC. You will learn about how electricity gets from your wall outlet into your PC, along with how to test that electricity. The goal is to understand power supply standards, how to install one inside your PC, and how to troubleshoot power supply problems.

Lesson 5 - Students will learn about and discuss ATA (advanced technology attachment) and SCSI (small computer system interface).
To wrap up the course, you will learn about the various forms of removable media. This final lesson teaches you about older formats like tape drives, flash media like USB thumb drives and memory cards, and about optical media like DVDs, Blu-ray Discs, and external drives.

Lesson 6 - Students will learn about and discuss RAID technology and Partitioning.
Dig into hard drive technologies, including traditional hard disk drives and modern solid-state drives. In this lesson, you will learn the fundamentals of protecting data with RAID technology. The goal is to understand how to install hard drives and how to troubleshoot bad drives.

Lesson 7 - Troubleshoot PC and mobile device issues including common OS, malware and security issues.

Lesson 8 - Troubleshoot real-world device and network issues quickly and efficiently
Dive into the important safety techniques that every good tech absolutely needs to know. These techniques range from cleaning a computer to disposing of old parts safely.

Prior Knowledge:  It is suggested that students have prior knowledge of computers before taking this course.