Basic Hardware (3 hours)
Objectives:
To be able to:
Safely connect a desktop computer to the power supply, and attach peripherals
(monitor, keyboard, mouse, printer, scanner) with due regard for electrical safety in the positioning of cables.
Assess the electrical power used in normal and standby modes (using an electricity monitor),
and instigate practices and recommend changes to minimise the cost over the lifetime of the system.
Connect a desktop or portable to the Internet, and configure the necessary software.
Using routers, connect several computers to a single Internet line, and configure the software,
and also create a Local Area Network (LAN) with various levels of privacy.
Allow wireless connection (WiFi) to the Internet and the LAN.
Adjust a monitor for viewing position, and the display for brightness, contrast and colour.
Load a printer with paper, use different types of paper and configure the printer software accordingly.
Lesson plan:
PCs ready loaded to test connections, but all cables and peripherals disconnected. Routers stacked at side.
Description and diagrams and examples of the pieces of equipment.
Talk about and reconnect power and console to PC. Switch on.
Talk about mouse and keyboards - show old and new connectors. Mention radio connection.
Talk about USB - versions 1,2,3. Speeds. Warnings about insertion and breakage;
pass round broken USB connection to Belkin card reader. Connect keyboards and mice. Log in.
BREAK.
Show electricity monitor and current reading (assume monitors and PCs in standby).
Switch off monitors, note change in reading. Estimate lifetime use and calculate cost.
Switch on monitors - new reading - new costs. Estimate time on, calculate lifetime cost.
Switch on large old monitor at back - calculate cost of that.
Discuss routers and RJ45 and phone line connector/filter. Connect all, and check Internet use.
Discuss TCP/IP protocol and packet transfers. Ping other PCs and display network connections to show LAN is working.
BREAK (end of session).
Discuss file and peripheral sharing and levels of access. Set levels and check action.
Show a wireless router, Replace one of the normal routers with it.
Explain the DMZ (DeMilitarised Zone) and how to control it via its network address.
Access router and set the DMZ.
Explain operator comfort, viewing height, and avoidance of Repetative Strain Injury.
Describe monitor picture adjustments. Adjust monitors so that flesh colour appears natural.
Go through printer set up dialogue. Explain normal/photo paper setup, and print quality.
Print text and photos.
BREAK.
Operation and Internet Use (6 hours)
Objectives:
Power up a PC in Normal and in Safe mode. Create and use a recovery CD.
Use keyboard and mouse effectively. Know the normal uses of all the mouse buttons.
Use different operating systems (Windows 7, Linux), and set up user accounts.
View and select which programs are running currently, and which are run at startup.
Create a hierarchical folder and file system. Display, print, copy, move, rename, and delete files.
Know the main file name extensions (.htm, .html, .exe, .dll, .txt, .log, .doc, .xls).
Low level file handling using DOS, simple text editing to create batch files. Cut and paste text.
Search for text within a file and across files.
Download, install, and remove anti-virus and general software, while avoiding infection.
Select a suitable anti-virus program, based on a standard set of requirements.
Configure a number of browsers (Internet Explorer, FireFox, Chrome, Safari) and set security levels.
Set single and multiple Home Pages.
Use various search engines (Google, Yahoo, Bing, Altavista), set effective search criteria, avoid unhelpful sites.
Understand web crawlers and web indexing, and how to get higher positioning in search engine lists.
Get information using other sites (Wikipedia, forums, manufacturer sites, online manuals).
Control cookies and browser add-ons.
Lesson plan:
Student seated in front of Windows 7 PCs operating normally. Discuss and try ways of closing down
(include holding down power button for 5 to 10 seconds).
Restart and press F8 during boot up. Explain the options presented.
Repeat, bringing up the PC in the main 'Safe Modes':
1) With command line window (DOS) - practice commands for folder display, file copy and delete.
2) In full mode (with network / Internet access). Explain restrictions and privileges in safe mode.
Explain and practice the Administrator usage and privileges.
Insert a Windows 7 Recovery CD, and restart. Go through the menus.
Insert a hard disc drive specific CD and restart. Display and expalin disc partitions.
Insert a Linux (Knoppix) CD and restart. Show operation of full OS, with office apps and Windows mode.
BREAK
Boot up Windows 7 normally. Start some apps and run the Task Manager. Show CPU usage.
Explain applications, tasks and services. Run msconfig and show startup processes etc.
Create a folder in C:, and some sub-folders. Copy some files into them. Use WordPad to create a file.
Copy a folder. Delete some fileas and folders. Rename a file. Use DOS to rename a group of files.
Describe and find examples of the main file types, and practice displaying text, word processing, and image files.
Reorder files in columns of folder display. Search for files using names or content.
Use Crimson Editor to search for text within a file and across files and folders.
BREAK
Create and run a batch file to copy a selection of files. Use simple cut and paste to prepare the file.
Run batch file under Windows and in a DOS box. Use the Pause command.
Use conditional tests and the for command to resize a batch of photographs.
Start an app from a batch file, or wait till complete. Run a batch file from within another.
Operator interaction with a batch file. Create a menu.
BREAK
Define and give examples of Malware, Virus, Worm, Trojan Horse, Spyware,
scareware, adware.
Examples of email scams: Winware. Email rules to block persistent ads and offers.
Misleading program and document download sites: students to 'find the app / document' in various sites.
UseGoogle to search for e.g.
Describe virus signatures and how virus checkers work and update their lists.
Students to use criteria for choosing a virus program:
1. Low cost, preferably free.
2. Effective - look up in Google e.g. Top ten virus checkers or 10 best free anti-virus.
3. Read reviews. Dump the naggers. Check the checker is not time limited.
4. Download and try it (if free) [use Control Panel to remove existing Virus Checker].
- does it slow down the PC? If so remove it and try another.
- Does it make trhe PC sluggish every time it boots up?
5. Does it pause its updating and scanning when the PC is being used?
6. Does it also remove adware?
Student to dwnload and install Microsoft Secvurity Essentials.
BREAK
Student to connect cable between router and PC, and via the Control Panel go to Network and Internet and
Network and Sharing Centre.
Then go through the Wireless connect to the Internet as specified in Connect To Internet.
BREAK
Continue with Internet connection via Wireless.
Connect to Internet via cable and cascaded routers.
BREAK
Set up a Web Site (6 hours)
Objectives:
Create a local site using a simple text editor (Notepad or Wordpad),
using the basic HTML format of tags and attributes.
Select and install a text editor suitable for manipulating a web site
- chroma coding, tab spacing, context help.
Apply general rules for maintaining user interest and involvement,
and see how they are used or abused in some good and bad web sites.
Know the steps involved in setting up an online shop.
Inspect the HTML code of other sites.
Insert diagrams and photographs, crop and resize.
Get photos and clip art from the Internet. Use a screen grabber to get other images.
Use a simple graphics program to edit and enhance images.
Reduce download times by adjusting image files. Maintain aspect ratios while resizing.
Build multiple web pages with hyperlinks. Link to other websites.
Select a web hosting company, and upload web pages to it.
Improve position in search engine lists by using meta-tags.
Use social networks (Facebook, Twitter) for business, and appreciate the extra effort and rewards involved.
eMail (4 hours)
Objectives:
Set up email accounts using different systems (Hotmail, Gmail, Outlook Express).
Avoid the common email and Internet scams.
Receive and reply to emails.
Organise emails into folders.
Set up message rules for junking, redirecting, or automatically replying to emails.
Build a contacts list. Save and restore the list, and transfer it between different email systems.
Inspect the HTML code of emails. Enhance emails using HTML.
Attach or insert images and documents. Use file compression and image resizing to reduce email size.
Send emails to multiple recipients and to groups.
Encrypt and decrypt emails.
Spreadsheets (5 hours)
Objectives:
Use OpenOffice (free), Microsoft Excel (not free, but most popular),
and Lotus Symphony (free) spreadsheets.
Insert headings and formulae into individual cells.
Use cell ranges in formulae to add columns of figures.
Add data checking - numeric only, range checks, empty cell checks.
Produce charts and graphs in various formats. Insert axes and labels.
Use conditional statements in formulae.
Write a sequence of operations as a macro.
Print from the spreadsheet.
Use the spreadsheet as a database.
Save spreadsheet data to a file, and restore from the file.
Word Processing (6 hours)
Objectives:
Use OpenOffice (free), Microsoft Word (not free, but most popular),
and IBM Lotus Symphony (free) word processors.
Cut and paste. Insert images. Crop and resize.
Change text format: font, bold, italics, underline, size.
Handle headings and section numbering.
Insert bullet points and numbered or lettered lists.
Insert special characters and page breaks.
Insert and amend tables.
Spell and grammar check.
Number pages. Do double sided printing.
Produce a standard format business letter.
Write their own CV - summary and detailed versions. Include a photograph.
(Also what to put and leave out, and general advice on writing a CV.)
Transfer both CV versions to a web site as HTML, and link in to front page.
Objectives: