Assemble PC

We need to do a

“practical exercise that reasonably simulates the receipt and commissioning of a computer system consisting of a system unit, monitor, keyboard and pointing device along with three items from sound card, printer, scanner, external mass storage/backup device, network card, modem/broadband adapter.”

We can do some of this in 3-16, but I am negotiating access to the Engineering Lab where they have bits of kit which may suit our needs.

These videos go well beyond what we need, but you may find useful:

FreeA-Plus

XP Install

The next assessment requires you to install an operating system. You will do this in 3-19 using Virtual PC. This video may remind you what to do:

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Wf2Ffm33DhA&feature=related

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=f8s5PYRR47g&feature=related

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=2s2Jk0p9uWQ&feature=related


You need to document all the steps in the installation. You can do this in your blog (if you have told me your blog address) or write it up in Word.

I won't need screen dumps included.

Outcome 1

We will use a paper version of the exam for outcome 1.
This week I will revise the topics and we should be able to sit the test after lunch.

Next week we will resume the safety topic.

Room 3-19

Room 3-19 is available for our second hour.

We will start to use it in a few weeks when we get to the practical tasks.

E-learning has Moved

The SQA e-learning site has moved. Seemingly the address was only ever a temporary one. it's now at

http://www.sqa.org.uk/e-learning/SiteHomeCD/page_10.htm

which is what I've changed the link on the right to become.

This week you will be asking each other the questions you wrote last week.
If all is ready we may try the practice exams.

Note that the next topic will be electrical safety. I will be handing out a paper version of the e-learning for this topic.

Welcome to Stow College HNC Information Technology

Congratulations.
You have arrived at the blog for the HNC Information Technology course at Stow College, Glasgow.

For now it will be focussed on the First Line Support course.

Check the Reference Links and other posts for supporting material for the unit

This is basically a paperless e-unit. If you wish to print sections of the material it is best to paste what you need into Word rather than try to print from the browser.

Mail me on dcrosher@stow.ac.uk

Week 2

We now all have gmail accounts and a course blog in blogger. If you select 'view blog' and copy the URL (web address) at the top (it will be yourtitle.blogspot.com) youcan then go to gmail (in a seperate window) and mail the URL to me at dcrosher.stow.ac.uk

Use your blog to records comments on your course work and the information you wish to remember.

1st Line Support Schedule

Keep checking this post for revisions to the schedule for lessons and assessments on this unit.

Wed Sept 3 Introduction. What's covered. Starting to use Blogger. Group discussion on what PC Support involves. Start Outcome 1 'Operating Principles of Computers'
Sept 11 Outcome 1 - Processors, Memory
Sept 17 Outcome 1 - Storage, Peripherals
Sept 23 Outcome 1 : Practice questions for Assessment 1 on www.sqasolar.org.uk (you will all get accounts for this site)
Oct 1 Outcome 1 : 1st attempt at Assessment 1 (20 multiple choice closed-book questions)
Oct 8 Outcome 2 : Safe Working Practices
[Oct 15 holiday week]
Oct 22 Outcome 3 : Assessment 2 (15 extended-response closed-book questions)
Oct 29 Outcome 3 : Install Hardware & Software
Nov 5 Outcome 3 : Task 1 commission computer hardware
Nov 12 Outcome 3 : Task 2 Install an Operating System (using Virtual PC)
Nov 19 Outcome 3 : Task 3 Install application software (using Virtual PC)
Nov 26 Outcome 3 : Catch-up
Dec 3 Outcome 4 : Troubleshooting
Dec 10 Outcome 4 : Assessment (Troubleshoot and document a problem)
Dec 17 Outcome 4 :
Jan 7 Outcome 4 :
Jan 14 Last meeting of class. Remediation of assessments.

Learning Material

1. The major source of material for this course is available on an SQA website:

www.e-learning-computing.com/page_10.htm

You will need to work through the content of this site, and follow through the web links it contains.
You may wish to keep in sync with the discussions in the classroom, but are welcome to go at any faster pace if you wish.
The site includes occasional self-test questions - be sure to try these.
You MUST add blog posts (even if they are brief) to indicate your progress and any comments or notes you wish to make.
Raise questions with me anytime, either verbally or by a blog post.

2. Resources on the college Learning Gateway
learningGateway.stow.ac.uk
The Computing Resources section:
http://learninggateway.stow.ac.uk/computing_resources.html
The How To series:
learninggateway.stow.ac.uk/ils_guides.html#how_to_series

3. General web pages and videos. Check 'Reference Links'. If you find any others, please make a blog entry to let me know

4. For a change from the computer screen, the library has some books on the subject, e.g.

The little PC book / by Lawrence J. Magid ; edited by Darcy DiNucci ; illustrated by John Grimes.
by Magid, Lawrence J., DINUCCI, DARCY.
Berkeley, Calif. : Peachpit, c1999.

The indispensable PC hardware book : your hardware questions answered / Hans-Peter Messmer.
Build and upgrade your own PC / Ian Sinclair.
by Sinclair, Ian R. (Ian Robertson), 1932-
Oxford : Newnes, 2001.

Newnes PC troubleshooting pocket book / Howard Anderson and Mike Tooley.
by Anderson, Howard.
Amsterdam ; London : Newnes, 2003.
Subject: Microcomputers -- Maintenance and repair.

College Calendar

Semester 1 25 Aug 2008 – 16 Jan 2009
Autumn Holiday Fri 26 Sept & Mon 29 Sept
Mid-Term Holiday Mon 13 Oct – Fri 17 Oct
Christmas & New YearHoliday Mon 22 Dec – Fri 2 Jan
All courses recommence Mon 5 Jan

Semester 2 26 Jan 2009 – 20 Jun 2009
Mid Term Holiday Mon 9 Feb + Tues 10 Feb
Easter Holiday Mon 6 April – Fri 17 April
Easter Weekend Fri 10 April & Mon 13 April
May Day Holiday Mon 4 May
Spring Holiday Fri 22 May & Mon 25 May
Semester 2008-2009 ends Fri 19 Jun