BLUE RIDGE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

ITN 106 - Microcomputer Operating Systems

INSTRUCTOR'S NAME: Jim Richerson

OFFICE/HOURS: T-204

PHONE: 540-453-2328

I. COURSE DESCRIPTION: Teaches use of operating system utilities and multiple-level directory structures, creation of batch files, and configuration of microcomputer environments. May include a study of graphical user interfaces. Maps to A+ Software Lecture 3 hours per week.

This course meets entirely online. Course content, assessments, policies, expectations, and other materials will be available in the Learning Management System, Canvas the first day of class. Students will be required to take one proctored assessment and that will be the Final Exam and it will be taken on campus or there will be other options. If you need any help contact me and we can have a Zoom meeting too.

Click this link for instructions on how to download and use Zoom.

For more information on BRCC Distance Learning

II. COURSE OBJECTIVES:

On-line assignments, text material and computer work together will help the student understand the procedures of configuring and troubleshooting computer equipment and peripherals. All activities use personal computer systems using Microsoft operating systems. The class covers the objectives of the A+ certification exam. As the student progresses through the material, they will understand the modular nature of the personal computer system and the various changes in the systems over time. Consequently, if the student is a person who enjoys working puzzles and solving problems, they will enjoy what this course has to offer. Upon completion of ITN 106, the student should have an understanding of these topics :

A. PC System and Peripherals.

B. Installing Windows

C. Security

D. Security Threats

E. Malware

F. Maintaining Windows

G. Command Line Tools

H. Understanding Windows

I. Wireless Security

J. Safety Procedures

K. Mobile Device Security

L. Disaster Recovery

M. Troubleshooting System Problems.

N. Professionalism

O. Preparing for Certification

III. REQUIRED TEXT MATERIAL: CompTIA A+ 220-1101 and 220-1102 Exam Cram, David L. Prowse, Pearson Education, 2022, ISBN-13: 9780137637546

Lab Simulation Software: CertExams

IV. EVALUATION POLICES AND REQUIREMENTS: Progress Policy-This Web Based course will require you to set the necessary time aside each week in order to complete the course within the semester time period. You must exercise personal discipline in ensuring that progress is made each week and do not hesitate to request help from the instructor or your other classmates. You should begin each section with reading the Chapter material that is in Canvas under Modules for each section link, then the associated lectures in Canvas, followed by the associated Lab Experiment and Lab Report submission, and finally taking the associated Quiz. Each Quiz consists of questions/problems regarding the Chapter material. There will be three tests during the semester over quizzes and the material covered in each section that are outlined in the topical outline section of the syllabus. There is no late policy to the weekly assignments but all material needs to be completed before you take the Final Exam. The comprehensive final exam is taken on campus or or make arrangements with the instructor. There is no required submission date of any work but you will need to complete the material in a timely manner to keep a good pace on completing the class material before the Final Exam. No coursework will be accepted after you take the Final Exam.

Grading Policy

Student performance in the course will be measured by written and electronic performance testing. Each topic has an associated quiz and lab report. You should read the textbook, study the web lesson supplement, perform the lab experiment, submit the lab report, and then take the quiz. There is three Tests and Final Exam. Please note that the final exam is worth 25% of your grade since it is the primary indicator of knowledge.

Note-When we can you are more than welcome to come to campus to get help. Please email me for an appointment if you require extra help during the semester. My bottom line is that I want you to understand the material presented. This course is the basic foundation for all other computer courses.

The final course numerical grade will be based upon the following percentages:

Type of Evaluation

% of Total Grade

Quizzes and Homework ---- 20%

Laboratory ----------------- 20%

Three one-hour tests -------- 30%

Final Exam ------------------ 25%

Student Effort ---------------- 5%

Letter grades are derived from the numerical grades as follows:

90 - 100% = A

80 - 89% = B

70 - 79% = C

60 - 69% = D

0 - 59% = F

The portion of the grade due to "student effort" will be based on the instructor's evaluation of the student's desire to learn the subject and the effort given during the semester. It is based on such characteristics as:

1. Motivation 2. Attention in class

3. Attitude towards course 4. Promptness

5. Cooperation 6. Effort to learn

V. HONOR POLICY: The functioning of an academic community depends on the integrity of all of its members. Blue Ridge Community College values truthfulness, respect for the property of others, and honesty in academic work." BRCC Honor Code

As members of this community, you are responsible for understanding and adhering to the Honor Code. Violations include (but are not limited to) cheating on tests and quizzes, unauthorized collaboration on assignments, and plagiarism. Your instructor is the ultimate source of policy on individual assignments; please consult him or her if you have any questions or concerns about what is permitted.

Violations of the Honor Code may result in a grade penalty and/or disciplinary action. For further information on your rights and responsibilities as a student, and the disciplinary guidelines and procedures, please consult the Student Handbook. For information on the grade appeal procedure, please consult the Catalog.

VI. DISABILITY SERVICES: If you have a disability for which you wish to be considered for an accommodation, please make an appointment with the Office of Disability Services located in the Houff Student Center.

The purpose of providing accommodations is to ensure that students with disabilities are granted the opportunity to access programs and services offered by the college. Requested accommodations are considered on a case by case basis by the Coordinator of Disability Services, who works with faculty to ensure both access and academic standards are maintained. Students requesting services must meet with the Disability Services Coordinator and provide sufficient documentation of the disability prior to receiving accommodations. Accommodations are not retroactive and do not result in modification of the essential academic elements of the course.

VII. TOPICAL OUTLINE OF COURSE:

Week	Activity	Lab
8-26	Windows Versions & CLI- Chapter 30-32 Quiz 1 (Canvas)	Lab #1 - Research: Command Line
9-2	Operating System Features - Chapter 33&34 Quiz 2 (Canvas)	Lab #2 - Research: Windows tools
9-9	Control Panel & Settings - Chapter 35-37 Quiz 3 (Canvas)	Lab #3 CertExams 5.1,2,3,4,&5
9-16	Windows Apps & OS - Chapter 38-40, Quiz 4 (Canvas)	Lab #4 CertExams 5-11,12,13,14&15
9-23	Test #1 Quizzes 1-4 (Canvas)
9-30	Mac & Linux - Chapters 41&42 Quiz 5 (Canvas)	Lab #5 CertExams 5.6,7,8,9,&10
10-7	Security I - Chapter 43-45 Quiz 6 (Canvas)	Lab #6 CertExams 6.1,2,3,4,&5
10-14	Security II - Chapter 46-48 Quiz 7 (Canvas)	Lab #7 CertExams 5.18.1, 5.18.2, 5.19, 5.20, 5.21&5.22
10-21	Security III - Chapter 49-52 Quiz 8 (Canvas)	Lab #8 CertExams 6.6,7,8,9,&10
10-28	Test #2 Quizzes 5-8 (Canvas)
11-4	Troubleshooting - Chapter 53-56 Quiz 9 (Canvas)	Lab #9 - Research: Recovery Tools
11-11	Documentation and Safety - Chapter 57-60 Quiz 10 (Canvas)	Lab #10 - CertExams 5.30, 5.31, 5.32, 5.33, 5.34 & 5.35
11-18	Professionalism, Scripting & Remote - Chapter 61-64 Quiz 11 (Canvas)	Lab 11: Remote Access
11-25	Test #3 Quizzes 9-11 (Canvas)	Troubleshooting Lab
12-2	Final Prep	All material due
12-12	Final Exam

VIII. IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER: BRCC Academic Calendar

COURSE RECORDINGS: Meetings of this course might be recorded; these recordings will be available to students registered for this class and are intended to supplement the classroom experience. Students are expected to follow appropriate BRCC policies and maintain the security of passwords used to access recorded lectures. Recordings may not be reproduced, shared with those not in the class, or uploaded to other online environments without prior written instructor permission; doing so would be a breach of the BRCC Honor Code. If the instructor or any other BRCC personnel or departments plan for other uses for the recordings beyond this class, students identifiable in the recordings will be asked for consent prior to such use.

Academic Support: BRCC is committed to making sure you get responsive, effective answers to your questions. Weï¿½re here to help you succeed online. Click the link below to see resources available to you. http://www.brcc.edu/academics/academic-support/index.html

NON-ATTENDING POLICY; Attendance is considered a measure of progress as defined by federal financial aid regulations. In order to maintain eligibility for financial aid, Blue Ridge must proactively monitor course progress. Non-attendance will be reported to the Dean of Student Services at the conclusion of the first week of the course, at midterm, and at the conclusion of the course. Students who receive federal financial aid and are not attending classes may be administratively withdrawn from the course.

Failure to demonstrate active participation within the first seven days of an online class may result in administrative withdrawal from the course. For online courses, never attending is defined as never participated in any class discussions, blog postings, or other learning activities. If the student has logged into blackboard less than 2 times and has never contributed, they may be counted as never attending.

Disability Services: We provide academic accommodations and support for students with documented disabilities. Students must submit current documentation of a disability by a qualified professional to Disability Services before academic accommodations can be requested. Qualified professional evaluations by physicians, psychologists, audiologists, etc., must have been completed within the last three years. http://www.brcc.edu/services/disability/index.html

The student should submit his/her complaint in writing to the appropriate administrative unit.

Documentation of written complaints and the College's written response will be kept in a secure location for three years and then will be destroyed.

In addition to what's outlined on this syllabus, the policies and procedures addressed at www.brcc.edu/syllabus are included as an addendum to this document.

Emergency Preparedness: The College is committed to providing a secure environment where students can thrive academically. The Code of Virginia requires that BRCC provide students with important training information and guides regarding campus safety and emergency preparedness. Students are expected to review this information in order to prepare for potential emergencies. In the event of an emergency, BRCC will issue emergency information through the BRCC Alert notification system. All students are encouraged to register for this free service to receive important emergency alerts, notifications, and updates. Please contact the Public Safety Office at 540-453-2503 with any questions or concerns related to campus safety.