About the course
This course enables students to develop knowledge and skills related to computer hardware, networks, operating systems, and other software. Students will use utility and application software, and learn proper procedures for installing, maintaining, and troubleshooting computer systems and networks. Students will develop an awareness of environmental and societal issues related to the use of computers, and will learn about apprenticeships and other employment opportunities in the field of computer technology that they may choose to pursue after graduation.
Computer Technology 11
Course Credit
1
Course Price
$ 550.00
Course Developer
My Learning Oasis
Prerequisite(s) (Text)
None
Course Code
Department Head & Contact Information
TEJ3E
Ravi Sharma (ravi@mylearningoasis.com)
Course Type
Workplace Prepration
Grade Level
Grade 11
Course Development Date
June 10th, 2021
Course Outline
Computer Technology Fundamentals
In this unit, students will be introduced to the various terminologies and components used in computer studies and their basic functionalities. These will include but not limited to hardwares, input/output devices, storage devices, network hubs, network switches, network routers, straight and crossover cables, operating systems, application softwares and firmwares. They will be introduced to different network topologies, for instance star network, peer-to-peer, and explore the advantages and disadvantages of network computing.
Students will explore various kinds of drivers and other softwares necessary for hardwares to function properly and will look at compatibility and backward compatibility between hardwares, operating systems, and application softwares.
Expected Hours of Instruction:40 hours
Computer Technology Skills
In this unit students will evaluate the need for a user and list the hardware necessary to meet that need. They will then explore hardware suppliers that can most efficiently provide the necessary hardware. They will evaluate from each supplier, cost, delivery time, warranty, technical support etc. before selecting one. There may be more than one supplier to buy individual parts from. They will discuss the ethical issue of making the purchase that is best for the client and not what is best for his/her profit margin. They will develop procedures to install, troubleshoot, evaluate, and fix any problem that may arise. They will develop a list of reliable contacts to reach out to in case of extreme technical difficulties.
Students will then be introduced to the built in maintenance tools of the operating systems as well as third party troubleshooting and maintenance softwares. They will also outline basic maintenance procedures and schedules for the client.
Students will explore various layouts, including lighting considerations, for the home office for the client and make a recommendation. These layouts may be designed on any software or by hand. They will establish routines to backup data in a timely fashion, using OS and third party softwares. They will also look at and establish procedures to regularly update softwares and firmwares.
Expected Hours of Instruction:52 hours
Technology, The Environment, And Society
In this unit students will be introduced to best practices from an ethical, environmental, and legal point of view in disposing wastes in the computer industry. They will explore the effects of computers on the environment and how community and partners can assist and contribute in reducing wastes or reusing them. They will explore the benefits and detriments to society and the environment due to computers.
Expected Hours of Instruction: 9 hours
Professional Practice And Career Opportunities
This unit explores relevant industry practices, safety practices, and their legalities. They will explore techniques to enhance workplace safety. They will also look at the importance of securing data. Students will evaluate the necessary skills to be successfully employed in this industry and how to keep their portfolio current. They will explore efficient ways to go about job hunting and how to carry out an interview in this field.
Expected Hours of Instruction: 7 hours
Final Exam
This is a proctored exam worth 30% of the final grade in this course
Expected Hours of Instruction: 2 hours
Total Hours 110
Resources
The course material (class notes and necessary handouts) will be provided by the teacher.
The students will be required to have:
● Access to a library or the Internet to do research
● Access to internet as well as electronic devices for note taking and communication for those taking the class online
Overall Curriculum Expectations
A. Understanding Computers
A1 describe the functions of different types of hardware components, and assess the hardware needs of users
A2 describe the different types of software products, and assess the software needs of users
A3 use the basic functions of an operating system correctly
A4 demonstrate an understanding of home computer networking concepts
A5 explain the importance of software updates and system maintenance to manage the performance and increase the security of a computer.
B.Introduction to Programming
B1 describe fundamental programming concepts and constructs;
B2 plan and write simple programs using fundamental programming concepts;
B3 apply basic code maintenance techniques when writing programs
C. Computers and Society
C1 describe key aspects of the impact of computers and related technologies on society
C2 describe computer use policies that promote environmental stewardship and sustainability;
C3 describe legal and ethical issues related to the use of computing devices;
C4 describe postsecondary education and career prospects related to computer studies.
Special Accommodations
Only Some students are able, with accommodations, to be part of a regular course curriculum and to demonstrate independent learning. These accommodations allow access to the course without any dilution of the knowledge and skills the student is expected to demonstrate. These required accommodations to facilitate the student’s learning will be identified in his or her IEP (see IEP Standards, 2000, page 11*). It is likely that IEP for many or all courses will reflect the same accommodations. The instructions and accommodations are geared to meet the diverse needs of learners.
The three types of accommodations that are going to be used are:
i) Instructional accommodations - changes in teaching/learning strategies facilitated by different styles of presentation; methods of organization; the use of technology and multimedia.
ii) Environmental accommodations - Certain classroom settings and preferential seating may benefit these students.
iii) Assessment: assessment procedures that enable the student to demonstrate his or her learning, such as Multiple Intelligence Theory, giving more time to complete tasks (see page 29 of the IEP Resource Guide, 2004, for more examples).
For students who require accommodations for only the mathematics courses, the assessment and evaluation of their achievement will be based on the appropriate course curriculum expectations and the achievement levels outlined in this document. The IEP box on the students’ Provincial Report Cards will not be checked, and no information on the provision of accommodations will be included.
* Taken from: Ministry of Education, Ontario. Extracted from The Ontario Curriculum, Grades 11 and 12: Technological Education, 2009; Date of extraction: Sunday, March 14, 2021
Program Considerations For English Language Learners
Students from a variety of cultural and linguistic backgrounds. For many of these students, English is not their spoken language. They may be coming from highly sophisticated educational systems, while others may have come from regions where access to formal schooling was limited. These students offer a rich addition to the classroom experience by way of their background knowledge and experience. All teachers will assist with their English- language development. In mathematics the teachers will include appropriate adaptations and strategies in their instructions and assessments to facilitate the success of the English language learners in their classrooms. Some of these strategies and adaptations are: modification of some or all of the course expectations so that they are challenging but attainable for the learner at his or her present level of English proficiency, given the necessary support from the teacher.
Teaching/Learning Strategy
The key learning strategy at My Learning Oasis Elite Private School is Constructivism. This format facilitates learning by many techniques, most or all of which will be adopted in the classroom. The most dominant of these is group learning. The facilitator places students of different backgrounds in the same group so that they can feed off each other. Each may bring to the table a different reasoning strategy to facilitate problem-solving. Now, each student becomes a learner and a teacher at the same time, as he/she has to communicate his/her solution. This builds the students' knowledge base and by default, increases their confidence to speak in a crowd, albeit a small group at the beginning. The famous educationalist, Vygotsky, proved that by placing students in a group they function at the upper level of their zone of proximal development, each one scaffolding the other.
This strategy is further enhanced by the teacher asking leading questions as opposed to giving the answer outright, then allowing for group discussion. The students are encouraged to make connections between what they have learnt and their life experiences, then share with the group. The effect of this strategy is intrinsic motivation and learning. Each student develops an expanded appreciation of the topic at hand by seeing how it applies in different settings around the world by way of listening to their group members.
This Constructivist approach will be further accentuated by implementing “fish-bowling”. There are many ways to implement this technique. The one that will mostly be used will be by dividing up the larger problem (technical, mathematics, science, or otherwise) into smaller bits and have each student thoughtfully master one part. That student then teaches the group and facilitates a discussion reflection about the strategy (computational or otherwise) used in the solution. Each student in turn does this.
The above techniques enable students to reflect on the material learnt, make real life connections, and develop problem solving skills. One important by-product of the technique of Constructivism is that each student develops an appreciation of each other’s culture. This cultivates healthy people’s skill, which is not only important for the professional world but for life itself.
Constructivism lends itself well to students whose first language is not the language of instruction and who is new to the class. While other strategies will be used for students having difficulty with the English Language, this technique will definitely be used to enhance their English skill.
Assessment And Evaluation
At My Learning Oasis, course facilitators do not wait for a quiz or exam to determine how well a student is doing. Here, evaluation is an on-going exercise. The pedagogical techniques (refer to Teaching and Learning Strategies) used at My learning Oasis are perhaps the best techniques suited for on-going assessment, hence, they being an integral part of our delivery methodologies.
Concrete assessments are made through projects and assignments. However, the evaluation is based on “our flavor” of the Mastery Teaching technique. This ensures that the emphasis is on the quality of learning and NOT grading. Students' projects and homework will continuously be evaluated and re-evaluated with appropriate guidance to meet the school’s and Ministry’s expectations. At My Learning Oasis, we will work with the students until the projects meet a minimum of a B-grade, unless in extreme circumstances where the willful negligence of the students force lower grades. While this is a lot more taxing on the facilitator, it does not matter because My Learning Oasis is a Learner-centered institution NOT a Grade-Centered nor a Teacher-Centered institution.
Four categories of knowledge and skills are outlined in the achievement chart - knowledge and understanding, thinking, communication, and application. Student’s work is assessed and evaluated with respect to these categories, and that achievement of particular expectations is considered within the appropriate categories. A final grade will then be recorded for this course and if that grade is 50% or higher, a credit is granted to the student and recorded for this course. The final grade for this course will be determined as follows:
● For material evaluated throughout the course, seventy percent of the grade will be assigned. This portion of the grade should reflect the student's consistency in his/her level of achievement throughout the course, although special consideration should be given to more recent evidence of achievement.
● Thirty percent of the grade will be based on a final evaluation, which is administered towards the end of the course.
Final Exam: 30%
Grading for all course work, projects, presentation, participation, interim quizzes and exam: 70%
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