Unit 1 : Back to Basics
AssignmentsClassroom Expectations
Digital Citizenship:
Navigating the Internet:
Using Microsoft Office and Google Docs Using Microsoft Powerpoint and Google Slides |
Unit 2 : Ware of the World
Hello everyone,
I love to repair computers, but what I really love is to teach others how to understand/repair computers. I attempt to simplify any kind of explanation so that even the novice can understand what I’m teaching. Here is how I teach/explain the seven major computer components:
1) Motherboard
The motherboard is the heart of the computer. Every other computer part either sits on, or connects to, the motherboard in some way. The motherboard is the rectangular colored board that sits at the bottom of the case.
2) CPU
The CPU (Central Processing Unit) is the brain of the computer. It runs the software and processes the data that you are working on. The CPU sits on top of the motherboard and is covered up by a heat sink and cooling fan.
3) RAM
RAM (Random Access Memory) holds or remembers the data of the software that you are currently running. The RAM modules (“sticks”) are long and thin and look like a short ruler. Each RAM module snaps into a corresponding slot on the motherboard.
4) Video Card
The video card creates the images that appear on the computer monitor. Almost all modern day video cards attach to either the AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) slot, or to the PCI Express (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express) slot on the motherboard.
5) Power Supply
The power supply supplies the power that the computer needs. All wires going from the power supply go either directly to the computer components or to the motherboard. The power supply sits at the top of the case.
6) Hard Disk Drive
The Hard Drive holds all of your information (even when the computer power is off). When you turn on the computer, the software and data load from the Hard Drive into the RAM. The Hard Drive slides into the Hard Drive bay in your computer case.
7) Optical Drive
The optical drive uses a laser to read (play) or write (record, burn) CDs and DVDs. The optical drive sits in the front bay of the computer.
Fix a man’s computer and you will satisfy him for today, teach a man how to fix computers and you may satisfy him for a lifetime!“Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today. Teach a man to fish; and you have fed him for a lifetime”--
I love to repair computers, but what I really love is to teach others how to understand/repair computers. I attempt to simplify any kind of explanation so that even the novice can understand what I’m teaching. Here is how I teach/explain the seven major computer components:
1) Motherboard
The motherboard is the heart of the computer. Every other computer part either sits on, or connects to, the motherboard in some way. The motherboard is the rectangular colored board that sits at the bottom of the case.
2) CPU
The CPU (Central Processing Unit) is the brain of the computer. It runs the software and processes the data that you are working on. The CPU sits on top of the motherboard and is covered up by a heat sink and cooling fan.
3) RAM
RAM (Random Access Memory) holds or remembers the data of the software that you are currently running. The RAM modules (“sticks”) are long and thin and look like a short ruler. Each RAM module snaps into a corresponding slot on the motherboard.
4) Video Card
The video card creates the images that appear on the computer monitor. Almost all modern day video cards attach to either the AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) slot, or to the PCI Express (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express) slot on the motherboard.
5) Power Supply
The power supply supplies the power that the computer needs. All wires going from the power supply go either directly to the computer components or to the motherboard. The power supply sits at the top of the case.
6) Hard Disk Drive
The Hard Drive holds all of your information (even when the computer power is off). When you turn on the computer, the software and data load from the Hard Drive into the RAM. The Hard Drive slides into the Hard Drive bay in your computer case.
7) Optical Drive
The optical drive uses a laser to read (play) or write (record, burn) CDs and DVDs. The optical drive sits in the front bay of the computer.
Fix a man’s computer and you will satisfy him for today, teach a man how to fix computers and you may satisfy him for a lifetime!“Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today. Teach a man to fish; and you have fed him for a lifetime”--
Unit 4 : STEM Synthesis
Hello everyone,
This post is not intended to be an exhaustive explanation of every tiny detail, but an overview of what I consider to be the proper order of steps when building a computer. I assume you have all of the parts (case, motherboard, processor, memory, power supply, optical drive, and hard drive) ready to go. Now follow these ten steps:
1) Install the CPU onto the Motherboard (do this outside of the case and make sure to match up the cpu notches to the corresponding notches which appear on the cpu motherboard socket).
2) Attach the CPU Fan to the top of the CPU (apply thermal paste if needed – also do this before inserting the mobo into the case – plug the cpu fan cable into the motherboard).
3) Snap in the Memory Modules (do this with the mobo still outside of the case – snap the modules into the appropriate slots on the motherboard).
4) Open both sides of the Case (the case will come with screws, keep track of these screws).
5) Snap in the I/O Shield (snap it into the back of the case in the same direction as the mobo i/o inputs).
6) Set Motherboard into the Case (line up the mobo holes with the case standoff holes – tighten down the motherboard with the appropriate screws).
7) Put in the Power Supply (line up the power supply holes with the case holes – secure with the appropriate screws).
8) Connect main Power Supply connectors to the Motherboard, connect Case Fan cable to mobo, connect Audio and USB front of case cables to the motherboard, connect Reset, HD LED, Power LED, and Power Switch cables to the motherboard.
9) Put in the Hard Drive, Optical Drive, Floppy Drive (connect the power and data cables to both mobo and drives).
10) Connect Keyboard, Mouse, Monitor, and Power Cord to the back of the computer (plug in the power cord and turn on the computer – the computer will boot up and you will see the BIOS). You’re done! Now all you have to do is install the Operating System of your choice and you’re “home free”. Congatulations!
This post is not intended to be an exhaustive explanation of every tiny detail, but an overview of what I consider to be the proper order of steps when building a computer. I assume you have all of the parts (case, motherboard, processor, memory, power supply, optical drive, and hard drive) ready to go. Now follow these ten steps:
1) Install the CPU onto the Motherboard (do this outside of the case and make sure to match up the cpu notches to the corresponding notches which appear on the cpu motherboard socket).
2) Attach the CPU Fan to the top of the CPU (apply thermal paste if needed – also do this before inserting the mobo into the case – plug the cpu fan cable into the motherboard).
3) Snap in the Memory Modules (do this with the mobo still outside of the case – snap the modules into the appropriate slots on the motherboard).
4) Open both sides of the Case (the case will come with screws, keep track of these screws).
5) Snap in the I/O Shield (snap it into the back of the case in the same direction as the mobo i/o inputs).
6) Set Motherboard into the Case (line up the mobo holes with the case standoff holes – tighten down the motherboard with the appropriate screws).
7) Put in the Power Supply (line up the power supply holes with the case holes – secure with the appropriate screws).
8) Connect main Power Supply connectors to the Motherboard, connect Case Fan cable to mobo, connect Audio and USB front of case cables to the motherboard, connect Reset, HD LED, Power LED, and Power Switch cables to the motherboard.
9) Put in the Hard Drive, Optical Drive, Floppy Drive (connect the power and data cables to both mobo and drives).
10) Connect Keyboard, Mouse, Monitor, and Power Cord to the back of the computer (plug in the power cord and turn on the computer – the computer will boot up and you will see the BIOS). You’re done! Now all you have to do is install the Operating System of your choice and you’re “home free”. Congatulations!