BLUE RIDGE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
ITN 106 - Microcomputer Operating Systems
INSTRUCTOR'S NAME: Jim Richerson
OFFICE/Student Engagement Hours: T-204
PHONE: 540-453-2328
CLASS MEETING: BRCC Distance Learning
e-mail: richersonj@brcc.edu
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 the semester. Students will be required to take one proctored assessment and that will be the Final Exam. Final will be taken on campus in T210 or there will be other options. If you need any help contact me and we can have a Zoom meeting too.
DISTANCE LEARNING POLICY: 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 at
least one proctored assessment. The assessment may
be given at the BRCC Testing Center or an approved testing location, or
using one of BRCC's remote proctoring services: (1) Respondus Lockdown
Browser and Video Monitoring,
(2) Zoom.
You will need a webcam and microphone for audio and video capabilities.
Click this
link for instructions on
how to download and use Respondus Lockdown Browser.
Click this
link
for instructions on how to download and use Zoom.
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+ software 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 GradeQuizzes and Homework ------ 20% or 20
Laboratory ------------------- 20% or 20
Three one-hour tests --------- 30% or 20
Final Exam ------------------- 25% or 25
Student Effort ---------------- 5% or 5
TOTAL ----------------------100% or 100 points
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. BRCC Honor Code
As a member 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 Grade Appeal
VI. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) STATEMENT :
All work submitted in BRCC courses must be your own. Contributions
from anyone or anything else, including AI sources, must be properly quoted and
cited every time they are used. Failure to do so constitutes an academic
integrity violation and the BRCC Academic Integrity policies will be implemented. Students are discouraged from using AI tools UNLESS
under direct instruction from your instructor to do so. Contact your instructor
if you are unsure or have questions BEFORE using AI for any assignment.
VII. TOPICAL OUTLINE OF COURSE:
|
Week |
Activity |
Lab |
|
8-25 |
Windows Versions & CLI- Chapter 30-32 Quiz 1 (Canvas) |
Lab #1 - Research: Command Line |
|
9-1 |
Operating System Features - Chapter 33&34 |
|
|
9-8 |
Control Panel & Settings - Chapter 35-37 |
Lab #3 CertExams 5.1,2,3,4,&5 |
|
9-15 |
Windows Apps & Operating Systems - Chapter 38-40, |
|
|
9-22 |
Test #1 Quizzes 1-4 (Canvas) |
|
|
9-29 |
Mac & Linux - Chapters 41&42 Quiz 5 (Canvas) |
|
|
10-6 |
Security I - Chapter 43-45 |
|
|
10-13 |
Security II - Chapter 46-48 |
|
|
10-20 |
Security III - Chapter 49-52 |
Lab #8 CertExams 6.6,7,8,9,&10 |
|
10-27 |
Test #2 Quizzes 5-8 (Canvas) |
|
|
11-3 |
Troubleshooting - Chapter 53-56 |
Lab #9 - Research: Recovery Tools |
| 11-10 |
Documentation and Safety - Chapter 57-60 Quiz 10 (Canvas) |
|
|
11-17 |
Professionalism, Scripting & Remote - Chapter 61-64 |
Lab 11: Remote Access |
| 11-24 | Thanksgiving Break | |
|
12-1 |
Test #3 Quizzes 9-11 (Canvas) |
Troubleshooting Lab |
|
12-11 |
Final Exam |
All Material Due |
VIII. ACADEMIC CALENDAR: The academic calendar gives the start and end dates for semester sessions and important deadlines for withdrawing from classes,etc. BRCC Academic Calendar