1.)    Teacher Introduction

 

Welcome my name is Steve Sartori, and I am the instructor for the Computer Servicing and Associated Electronics classes as a part of the South and West Washtenaw Consortium program.

 

My educational background includes a degree in Industrial Technology specializing in Computer Aided Manufacturing from Eastern Michigan University and a Teaching degree in Industrial and Technology Education also from Eastern Michigan.

 

My industry experiences include many years as the Midwest Regional Service Coordinator for one of the largest sporting goods companies in the nation. As coordinator I was expected to train employees to perform a variety of service and shop-related tasks, design and maintain workshops including all equipment and manage personnel including interviewing and hiring. Most recently I was the national sales manager for a sports equipment manufacturer, I was responsible for all product lines, sales and marketing, as well as new product development.

 

One of my major goals for all of my classes is to relate my industry experiences and life lessons to my students. I believe that by showing a connection between what we learn in school and how it will be an important element in their future is essential for a meaningful education.

 

To provide the best opportunity for success it is important to form a relationship between student, teacher, and parent. Therefore I would encourage you to contact me. My e-mail is sartoris@saline.k12.mi.us and my direct phone is 734-429-8030 ext. 2374.


 

2.)    Prerequisites of Class

 

The Computer Servicing I class (Computer Servicing and Associated Electronics) is only offered to Juniors and Seniors interested in any area of Information Technology (IT), Computer Servicing and Repair. This class is offered for one full year (two semesters). It is required that students complete a basic algebra class and suggested that they have an introduction to electronics class. The Computer Servicing II class is offered to Seniors who have completed a FULL year of Computer Servicing and Associated Electronics.

 

 

3.)    Official Course Description

 

946 COMPUTER SERVICING & ASSOCIATED ELECTRONICS (Year 2 credits) Prerequisite: Grades 11 & 12 and Algebra

This class is designed to provide the student with a foundation in basic electronics with concentration in computer systems construction, repair, troubleshooting and upgrading. Basis electrical fundamentals will be covered including DC circuitry, reading schematic drawings, wiring and soldering. The focus of the class will be in preparing students to be computer repair technicians. Computer technicians are in high demand and are responsible for troubleshooting and repairing computers. Upgrading and total construction of PC's will be experienced in this class, following the industry standard of A+ computer repair certification standards. Students that excel will be prepared for A+ computer certification testing.

 

 


 

 

4.)    Statement of Teacher Expectations

 

The Computer Servicing class is a Career and Technical Education class. Therefore, it is expected that all students behave in a professional manner consistent with that of a work place environment.

 

The rules and regulations of Saline High School will be supported and enforced for all students in the Computer Servicing Program. None the less, there are rules that need to be emphasized due to the uniqueness of the program.

 

General Code of Conduct for the Computer Servicing and Electronics Room and Lab:

 

1.      There will be no talking during demonstrations and lectures.

 

2.      No bad mouthing or challenging the teacher or students in the class, Swearing, talking or loud behavior will not be tolerated.

 

3.      No restroom, locker passes etc. during lectures or demonstrations (emergency situations are an exception).

 

4.      In order to maximize lab time students will be in their seats with required materials (pencils, papers etc.) ready to go when the bell rings. Three tardies will result in a contact with parent; on the sixth tardy the student will be sent to the office and assigned a full day in-house suspension.

 

5.      Everyone is responsible for their own assignments, remember you’re responsible for knowing where your work is and that it is in on time. You are also responsible to obtain assignments missed because of absence.

 

6.      ABSOLUTELY no horseplay, hitting, games, bullying or harassment will be tolerated at any time. This is essential for a safe work environment.

 

7.      No students will cross over the colored safety-lines or be in the machine or student project area without permission or safety glasses.

 

8.      Students will be assigned a drawer for their projects; students should go only into their own drawer and not into other students drawers with out permission.


 

Code of Conduct for the Computer Servicing Room area:

 

1.      Good clean up is essential, all labs and equipment will be put back to its original state. All papers and work materials must be picked up. Points will be deducted for labs that are not properly cleaned up.

 

2.      All chairs and stools must be returned to their proper place.

 

3.      All computers must remain in original configuration, unless changes are required by in lab exercise.

 

4.      When working with hardware components Anti-static procedures MUST be followed at all times.

 

5.      All lab books must be on top of your computer station, they must be in original form, writing, drawing or marking on the lab books is not acceptable.

 

6.      All labs must be demonstrated to the instructor in order to be signed off. In order to receive credit ALL labs must be signed off by the instructor.

 

7.      All computer and monitors must be turned off at the end of the lab.

 

8.      NO food or drink is allowed in the computer lab.

 

9.      All equipment is to be checked out at the beginning of the lab and checked in at the end of the lab.

 

10.  The equipment room is off limits to students; only students with teacher permission are allowed in the storage area.

 


 

It is expected that all assignments will be completed and turned in on the assigned due date. The following is what can bee expected if an assignment is turned in late:

 

Late assignments due to EXCUSED absences will be accepted according to the following guideline: Students will have the same # of days to make up their assignment (equal to the number of days absent). After this time period the teacher has the discursion to mark down the assignment or not accept the assignment (an exception to this rule is the end of a marking period when all assignments become automatically due without notice).

 

Late assignments due to an UNEXCUSED absence will not be accepted and will receive a 0% grade.

 

Assignments that are late because students did not turn them in on time will be graded at the teacher’s discussion. Assignments will be marked down a minimum of 11%; certain assignments will not be accepted late at all.

 

All assignments will be automatically due without notice before each nine-week marking period. Assignments not turned in or tests not taken will receive a 0% grade. Students will not be able to make these assignments up.

 

 

 

 

 


 

GRADING SCALE

 

The following GRADING SCALE will be used to determine your grades. Your grade for each semester will be assigned according to the total number of point earned. Percentages will be derived by dividing the total number of points earned by the total number possible:

                        %=            Total # of points earned 

                                    Total # of points possible

 

100 – 96            A

                                                             95 – 90        A-

                                                             89 – 86        B+

                                                             85 – 83        B

                                                             82 – 80        B-

                                                             79 – 76        C+

                                                             75 – 73        C

                                                             72 – 70        C-

                                                             69 – 66        D+

                                                             65 – 63        D

                                                             62 – 60        D-

                                                             59 -   0                      E

 

It is important to remember that the percentage is figured by total points earned divided by total possible points for the semester year.

 

For example if you earn 100% the first half of the semester and 0% the second you total percentage is 50% for a grade of E. NOT a grade of A averaged with a grade E for a final grade of C.

 

Semester Grades are typically determined by the following breakdown:

 

Marking Period 1          40%

Marking Period 2          40%

Final Exam                   20%

                                    100%

 

To provide the best opportunity for success it is important to form a relationship between student, teacher, and parent. Therefore I make every attempt to be available to discuss any issues. My e-mail is sartoris@saline.k12.mi.us and my direct phone is 734-429-8030 ext. 2374.

 

Office Hours:                            Before School:             7:15am – 7:45am

                                                Planning Period:            7:50am – 9:00am

After School: 2:40pm – 3:10pm


 

5.)    Statement of 2nd Year (advanced ) Student Expectation

 

Computer Servicing II is only offered, but not guaranteed, to the Seniors completed a FULL year of Computer Servicing I. It is expected that the students who take Computer Servicing II have a strong interest in entering the computer repair field.

 

Computer Servicing II students will:

 

Spend time working with their home schools’ Information Technology department repairing computers, computer systems and learning the necessary professional skills needed by Information Technology (IT) professionals.

 

Work as teaching assistants helping first year students, trouble shooting and maintaining the laboratory computer systems.

 

Work on special projects to enhance skills in any special area of interest they may have.

 

Complete test preparation activities as well as practice exams for A+ certification (for those Students that have not passed the exam).

 

 

6.)    Special/Unique Features/Qualities/Activities of the Computer Servicing Class

 

The S.W.W.C. Computer Servicing class uses the most up to date equipment. Our laboratory features computers that the students actually assemble, disassemble, update, reconfigure and troubleshoot. We have operating systems that include DOS, Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows 2000 and as Windows XP expands further into the work place we will expand our program as well. We currently have 15 computer stations, as well as laser printer stations and networking stations all designed to give our students the most realistic training situation possible. We also frequently provide students with outside projects such as updating computer systems or building new computers to enhance their learning experience. Additionally we provide students with open lab time in which they have the opportunity to repair or update their own systems. As students progress into their second year we give them the opportunity to work in actual job situations with experienced IT professionals.


 

7.)    Computer Servicing Advisory Committee

 

Roles and Functions of the advisory committee:

Saline High School’s Computer Servicing Advisory Committee officially meets twice a year; with informal contacts during the year at different activities and events. A variety of businesses from the public and private sector are represented.

 

8.)    Articulation Agreements

 

Currently the S.W.W.C. is developing an articulation agreement with Washtenaw Community College were upon completion of a full year of Computer Servicing at Saline High School students will be able to receive credit for Computer Servicing classes at Washtenaw Community College.


 

9.)    Certifications

 

Upon completion of the Computer Servicing class many students are prepared to take the A+ certification exam. The A+ certification exam is the industry standard for computer servicing, repair and trouble shooting. There are actually two exams required to become A+ certified. One exam covers computer hardware and the second exam covers computer operating systems. These exams are administered through an independent testing organization and therefore arrangements for taking the exam must be done by the individual student, of course we can provide information on costs, locations, testing dates and times.

 

10.)      Extra Curricular Activities

 

Skills USA is a national organization serving a quarter-million high school and college students and professional members who are enrolled in technical, skilled, and service occupations, including health occupations.

 

Computer Maintenance Technology:


This competition is consistent with the industry standards as outlined by the Computer Technology Industry Association (Comp TIA) A+ Certification. Contestants take a computer-based exam of 75 to 100 questions. They also troubleshoot both hardware and software problems in a series of six workstations, and install and configure hardware. Software problems relate to DOS and Windows operating systems. Some of the workstations require interaction between contestants and judges including demonstration of customer service. Contestants are evaluated on their speed, diagnostic and standard industry procedures, accuracy of adjustments and correct component replacements.

 

Currently the S.W.W.C. Computer Servicing program is in the process of joining the Skills USA Computer Maintenance Technology area. This will allow our students to compete at the regional, state and national levels.


 

11.)      Post Secondary Opportunities

 

Computer Servicing is a useful skill for all individuals regardless of their career choice. Building a basic understanding of computer hardware, operating systems, network and Internet technologies makes students a valuable addition to any company and acts as a springboard for further learning as technologies develop. Most Computer Servicing students will continue on in the Information Technology or Electronics field, this is done by either continuing their education at a two or four year college. The information technology field is one of the most lucrative and fastest growing career areas. According to salary .com entry level positions such as help desk technician or PC technician begin in the $30,000 range while salaries for more experienced positions such as network engineer, application trainer or director of information technology range from $60,000 to over $100,000.


 

12.)      Curriculum

 

Computer Servicing and Associated Electronics

FULL YEAR OUTLINE

 

The goal of this class is to prepare students to take and pass the A+ certification exam. The A+ exam is the industry standard for proficiency in computer servicing and repair. This class is a full year (two semesters) of instruction it includes:

 

Ø      An introduction to electronics

 

·        Including understanding basic electronic components and their function.

·        The proper use of test equipment

·        Series/parallel/combination circuits

 

Ø      Computer Servicing & Repair

 

·        Disassemble and Reassemble a typical computer

·        Identify significant components

·        Configure, customize and repair problems in MS DOS and Windows 98

·        Identify I/O address; IRQ request lines and DMA channels

·        Understand diagnostic troubleshooting techniques on malfunctioning components

 

Ø      PC Systems Trouble Shooting

 

·        Upgrade and optimize PC hardware components

·        Troubleshoot several PC hardware systems

·        Learn failure recovery methods on hard disk drives

·        Identify hardware and software related problems

·        Examine navigate, configure, and install a peer to peer network

 

Ø      PC Laser Printer & Repair

 

·        Describe all major printer assemblies

·        Master cleaning procedures and preventive maintenance procedures

·        Prepare for all A+ certification objectives

 

This class contains over 20 electronics labs and over 80 computer labs, each lab is supported with a short lecture to help reinforce the information learned in the lab. The course also contains readings form various texts to help the students master the skills necessary to pass the A+ certification exam.