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Scheme of Work

       

Course Title:  BTEC National Unit 23: Computer Hardware

       

Week

Date

Topic

Activity / Learning Outcome

Progression Monitoring

Key Skills

1

09.09.02

Course Introduction

Computer components overview

Introductory lecture – Review syllabus and course expectations. 

 Introductory Quiz

 Task – group activity looking at computer components

Quiz1  

Activity sheet exercises completed.

Quiz to assess existing knowledge level

C3.1a

LP3.2

 IT

2

16.09.02

Safe Practices  

Assignment 1 Handout

 

Theory – Health & Safety as it applies to computer users in the workplace.

Safe working practice when building a computer system

Task – group work investigating college classrooms for health & safety compliance. Report completed.

Quiz2

Activity sheet exercises completed.

Quiz Results  

WO

LP3.2

 

IT

3

23.09.02

Monitors & Screen Resolution 

Computer Memory

Theory – Monitors, DPI, refresh rates, resolution 

Theory – Memory: RAM & ROM.  Cache memory.  Virtual memory

Task – activity exercises to be completed  

Quiz3

Activity sheet exercises completed.

Quiz results

 LP3.2  IT

4

30.09.02

Computer Architecture

Theory – Expansion cards & buses.    ISA, PCI, AGP buses. 

Task – activity exercises to be completed

Quiz4

Activity sheet exercises completed.

Quiz results

 LP3.2  IT

5

07.10.02

Computer Architecture

Theory – I/O, DMA IRQ.  

Task –  activity exercises on expansion cards 

Quiz5

Activity sheet exercises completed.

Quiz results

WO

LP3.2    IT

6

14.10.02

Computer Architecture  

 

Theory – System boards, form factors, chipsets. CPU architecture, types, speed & performance.

Task – activity exercises to be completed  

Quiz6

Activity sheet exercises completed.

Quiz results  

 LP3.2    IT

 

 

Half Term

7 28.10.01 Magnetic Storage Devices

Theory – magnetic disks, optical, zip, tape.  Cylinders, heads & sectors. Partitioning & formatting disks. 

Quiz7  

Activity sheet exercises completed.

Quiz Results

WO

LP

8 04.11.02 Logic Functions

Assignment 2 Handout

Theory – Logic functions AND, OR, NOT, NAND, NOR

Task –  practice creating truth tables and logic functions  

Quiz8  

Exercises handed in

Quiz Results

WO

LP 

9 11.11.02 Data Representation

Theory – binary and hexadecimal number systems

Task – exercises on converting number systems

Quiz9  

Exercises handed in

Quiz Results

WO

LP

10

18.11.02

Block Diagrams and Memory Maps

Base Unit  Disassembly & Re-assembly

Theory – block diagram overview: constructing a block diagram of a CPU.  Memory maps

Tutorial – exercises on drawing block diagrams and memory maps

Task – disassembling a microcomputer system to its component parts    System re-assembled.

Quiz10

Exercises

Drawing of  Motherboard with form factor, slots and RAM type identified.

Drawing of connectors, connector shapes, plugs, sockets.

Quiz Results

WO

LP

IT

11

25.11.02

BIOS, POST, CPU and System Board Configuration  

Assignment 3 Handout

Theory –CMOS & BIOS.  The booting up process.  What is the POST?  Setting up the BIOS for various CPU’s and system boards  

Task – configuring the BIOS of a variety of different systems with different CPU’s and system boards

Quiz11

BIOS and POST practical exercises handed in.

Configuration practical exercises handed in.

Quiz Results

WO

LP 

IT

12

02.12.02

Backing Storage & Disk Organisation.

Theory – Partitioning & formatting disks for different operating systems.

Task – partitioning & formatting a hard disk. 

Quiz12

Disks correctly partitioned & formatted.

Quiz Results

WO

LP

13

09.12.02

OS installation & Configuration

Disk Management 

Theory – OS types, Windows9x, NT, Linux

FAT table. Disk error checking. Disk fragmentation.

Task – Installing an OS. Checking disks for errors using disk utilities.

Defragmenting a hard disk.

Quiz13

Disk management practical exercises handed in.

Quiz Results

WO

LP

14

16.12.02

Driver Installation

Theory – purpose & installation of drivers. Printer types.

Task – installation of printer, video and sound card drivers

Quiz14

Driver installation practical exercises handed in.

Quiz Results

WO

LP 

 

 

 

Christmas

15

06.01.03

Diagnostics

Theory – faults that can occur in a microcomputer system and methods for diagnosing them.

Task –using diagnostic tools to find faults in a system.

Quiz15

Diagnostics practical exercises handed in.

Quiz Results

WO

LP 

16

13.01.03

Test

Online test covering the theory of hardware covering all topics covered

Test results

 

17

20.01.03

Finishing Off

Resits.  Portfolio arrangements and final check.

Portfolio handed in.

  WO3.1

       

Key Skills Mapping: 

Communicating -     C3.1a Contributing to a group discussion.       C3.1b Giving a presentation.       C3.2 Read & synthesise information.     C3.3 Write two different documents

Improve own learning -     LP3.1 Agree targets and plan how to meet them.       LP3.2 Take responsibility for own learning.       LP3.3 Review own learning & establish evidence.

Information Technology -     IT3.1 Plan how to obtain & use info sources.       IT3.2 Explore, develop, exchange info & derive new info.     IT3.1 Different presentations given - effective format & style  

Working with others -      WO3.1 Plan work with others       WO3.2 Maintain cooperative working relationships.       WO3.1 Review work and agree changes with others 

   

 

 

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