Tag Archives: TestOut LabSim

IT Fundamentals, Section 4.4: File Management – TestOut

Objective: 

This section introduces you to the the features and functions of various file systems. After finishing this section, you should be able to:

  • Compare and contrast the features of various file systems.
  • Create folders in the Windows file system.
  • Copy, rename, and delete files in Windows.
  • Share a Windows folder with users and grant them specific access to files within the folder.
  • Use the Windows Recycle Bin.
  • Manage files using both a command line and a graphical user interface.
  • Explain how NTFS and share permissions work together to control access to Windows files and folders.
  • Add and remove users from access control lists.
  • Assign specific folder permissions to user groups.
  • Use the following Windows PowerShell commands.
    • Change directories.
    • View files and folders.
    • Make a directory.
    • Copy files to other folders.
    • Stop a process.
    • Map a drive to a shared folder.
  • Use the Linux command line to add, copy, rename, modify, and delete files.
  • Copy a file from a thumb drive to a folder on your hard drive.
  • Safely remove a thumb drive from a Windows system.

Links:

Key Terms:

  • File
  • File format
  • File system
  • File permissions
  • Journaling
  • NTFS
  • Command line interface

Topics Discussed:

  • How can you use a file system to organize files?
  • What is the relationship between files and directories?
  • Why is it important to limit a user’s file permissions?

Assignment:

  1. Access the TestOut Courseware through the provided link.
  2. Study 4.4: File Management, and complete the Lab/Activities 4.4.4, 4.4.6, 4.4.8, 4.4.11, 4.4.14 & 4.4.16 and the 10 question Exam to complete the Section.

Assigned: February 21st, 2024
Teacher Pacing Due Date: February 23rd, 2024

AZ CS Standard: Hardware and Software – HS.CS. HS.1

IT Fundamentals, Section 4.3: More System Software – TestOut

Objective: 

This section introduces you to the BIOS, different types of system software, and utility software. After finishing this section, you should be able to:

  • Identify and describe different types of system software.
  • Explain the purpose of a computer’s BIOS and other firmware.
  • Recognize and use utility software.
  • Use Windows Device Manager to update drivers.
  • Explain how virtualization can be used to extend the capabilities of computer systems.
  • Describe each step in the Windows boot sequence.
  • Enter the BIOS setup program on your computer.
  • Use BIOS settings to identify processor brand, installed memory, BIOS version number, number of hard drives, and NIC status.
  • Run an executable program to update the BIOS.
  • Clear CMOS settings on the motherboard.
  • Create a virtual machine with the following settings.
    • Startup memory
    • Network connection
    • Virtual hard disk
    • Minimum and maximum RAM

Links:

Key Terms:

  • Utility Software
  • Device Drivers
  • Firmware
  • Windows Settings App
  • Windows 10 App
  • Basic Input/Output System (BIOS)
  • CMOS
  • Power-on Self Test (POST)
  • UEFI
  • Virtualization
  • Virtual Machine

Topics Discussed:

  • What is the relationship between the BIOS and the operating system?
  • How can I use utility software to improve the performance of my computer?
  • What are some situations where virtual machines would be helpful?

Assignment:

  1. Access the TestOut Courseware through the provided link.
  2. Study 4.3: More System Software, and complete the Lab/Activities 4.3.4, 4.3.8, 4.3.10, 4.3.12, 4.3.15 and 4.3.17 and the 10 question Exam to complete the Section.

Assigned: February 15th, 2024
Teacher Pacing Due Date: February 20th, 2024

AZ CS Standard: Hardware and Software – HS.CS. HS.1

IT Fundamentals, Section 4.2: Operating Systems – TestOut

Objective: 

This section introduces you to operating systems and gives you practice using both the Windows and iOS interfaces. After finishing this section, you should be able to:

  • Identify common operating systems, including systems designed for mobile devices.
  • Describe the basic functions of different types of operating systems.
  • Identify and describe components of the Windows 10 operating system.
  • Change display settings in Windows.
  • Use the Settings app to view system information.
  • Configure a screen saver through the Settings app.
  • Describe the purpose of the configuration settings stored in the Windows registry.
  • Use iOS on a mobile device to check email account settings, Wi-Fi settings, Bluetooth settings, and the iOS version.

Links:

Key Terms:

  • Operating System
  • Graphical User Interface
  • Command Line Interface
  • Disk Management
  • Application Management
  • Service Management
  • Device Management
  • Access Control/Protection
  • Windows Settings App
  • Windows Update
  • Windows Registry
  • Registry Editor

Topics Discussed:

  • How does the operating system coordinate the work of hardware and software?
  • How are mobile and desktop operating systems similar? How are they different?

Assignment:

  1. Access the TestOut Courseware through the provided link.
  2. Study 4.2: Operating Systems, and complete the Lab/Activities 4.2.8, 4.2.10, 4.2.12 and the 10 question Exam to complete the Section.

Assigned: February 13th, 2024
Teacher Pacing Due Date: February 14th, 2024

AZ CS Standard: Hardware and Software – HS.CS. HS.1

IT Fundamentals, Section 3.7: Computer Hardware Careers – TestOut

Objective: 

This section explores career opportunities related to Computer Hardware. After finishing this section, you should be able to:

  • Describe common careers in computer hardware, ranging from PC repair technician to electrical engineer.
  • Identify skills and educational requirements for computer hardware careers.

Links:

Key Terms:

  • PC Repair Technician
  • Electrical Engineer

Topics Discussed:

  • How does the work of computer hardware professionals affect my daily life?
  • How can I prepare for a career in computer hardware?

Assignment:

  1. Access the TestOut Courseware through the provided link.
  2. Study 3.7: Computer Hardware Careers, and complete the 5 question Exam to complete the Section.

Assigned: February 9th, 2024
Teacher Pacing Due Date: February 9th, 2024

AZ CS Standard: Hardware and Software – HS.CS. HS.1

IT Fundamentals, Section 3.5: Storage – TestOut

Objective: 

This section introduces and explains storage devices and file systems. After finishing this section, you should be able to:

  • Compare and contrast the features of different external storage devices, including hard disk drives, optical drives, flash storage, and solid state drives.
  • Describe common file system features, including compression, encryption, permissions, journaling, and file naming rules.
  • Compare and contrast common file systems, such as NTFS, FAT32, HFS, and Ext4.
  • Describe disk partitioning and formatting methods.
  • Describe disk maintenance procedures, including defragmentation, repair, and cleanup.
  • Describe emerging storage technologies.
  • Install SATA hard drives in a computer.
    • Connect drives to the motherboard.
    • Plug in the power connector from the power supply.
  • Install an eSATA port connector to a computer by connecting the cable to an available motherboard port.
  • Boot a computer into the BIOS and verify that newly installed hard drives are detected.
  • Initialize new disks using the MBR partition style.
  • Create a volume on a disk with a specific volume size, drive letter, file system, and volume label.
  • Format a flash drive with the FAT32 file system.
  • Convert a drive to use NTFS instead of FAT32 without destroying any existing data on the disk.
  • Run Disk Cleanup on a local hard drive.
  • Configure disk defragmentation to run on a schedule.

Links:

Key Terms:

  • Hard Disk Drive (HDD)
  • Optical Drive
  • Flash Storage
  • Solid State Devices (SSD)
  • External Hard Disk Drives
  • Heat-Assisted Magnetic Recording
  • 3D Flash Memory
  • Synthesized DNA Strands
  • File
  • File Format
  • File System
  • Compression
  • Encryption
  • File Permissions
  • Journaling
  • Drive
  • Partitioning
  • Fragmentation
  • Defragmentation

Topics Discussed:

  • How is storage different than memory? How are they similar?
  • What are the advantages and disadvantages of each storage medium?
  • How does storage relate to input, output, and processing?

Assignment:

  1. Access the TestOut Courseware through the provided link.
  2. Study 3.5: Storage, and complete the 3.5.5, 3.5.12, 3.5.14 and 3.5.16 Lab Activities, as well as the 10 question Exam to complete the Section.

Assigned: February 5th, 2024
Teacher Pacing Due Date: February 6th, 2024

AZ CS Standard: Hardware and Software – HS.CS. HS.1

IT Fundamentals, Section 3.4: Input and Output – TestOut

Objective: 

This section introduces and explains common input and output devices. After finishing this section, you should be able to:

  • Identify common peripheral devices by sight.
  • Identify common ports and connectors by sight.
  • Connect cables and peripherals to a computer system.
  • Select appropriate cables and hardware devices for a given scenario.
  • Troubleshoot common problems when installing external devices to a computer system.
  • Identify the proper cable to connect a computer to an Ethernet port.
  • Set up a desktop computer system, including peripherals, power cables, and networking cable.
  • Describe how touchscreens are used as input devices.
  • Choose the most appropriate printer for a given scenario.
  • Describe how a camera works.

Links:

Key Terms:

  • Peripheral
  • Touch screen
  • Inkjet printer
  • Laser printer
  • Scanner
  • Universal Serial Bus (USB)
  • FireWire
  • Video Graphics Array (VGA) connector
  • Digital Visual Interface (DVI) connector
  • High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) connector
  • Registered Jack 45 (RJ-45) connector
  • Thunderbolt
  • Infrared
  • Bluetooth
  • Camera lens
  • Photosensitive material
  • Camera shutter

Topics Discussed:

  • How are input and output similar on desktop computers and mobile devices? How are they different?
  • How many ways can you input information into your computer?
  • How many ways can you output information from your computer?

Assignment:

  1. Access the TestOut Courseware through the provided link.
  2. Study 3.4: Input and Output, and complete the 10 question Exam to complete the Section.

Assigned: January 25th, 2024
Teacher Pacing Due Date: January 26th, 2024

IT Fundamentals, Section 3.3: Internal Components – TestOut

Objective: 

This section introduces and explains common internal PC components. After finishing this section, you should be able to:

  • Describe the most common internal components of a typical computer system, including processor, RAM, motherboard, power supply, GPU, NIC, and cooling system.
  • Distinguish between the two main types of consumer-level CPUs.
  • Describe how computer processors execute instructions.
  • Follow guidelines to reduce electrostatic discharge when working with computers.
  • Identify various types of expansion slots on a motherboard.
  • Install a single memory module on the motherboard.
  • Disconnect a monitor from the video card and remove the card from the computer.
  • Install a video card with an HDMI connection and connect the PCIe power connector to the video card.
  • Connect a computer to a monitor using an HDMI cable.
  • Configure a monitor’s display resolution for full HD content

Links:

Key Terms:

  • Bus
  • Central processing unit (CPU)
  • Random access memory (RAM)
  • Motherboard
  • Power supply
  • Graphics processing unit (GPU)
  • Network interface card (NIC)
  • Cooling system
  • Electrostatic discharge
  • The fetch-execute cycle
  • x86 processors
  • Advanced RISC Machines (ARM) processors
  • Expansion card
  • Heat sink
  • Air cooling
  • Water cooling
  • Active-liquid heat sink
  • Immersion cooling

Topics Discussed:

  • Which components are involved with each of the following: input, output, processing, and storage?
  • How do individual components work together?
  • How would a malfunction in each component affect the system as a whole?

Assignment:

  1. Access the TestOut Courseware through the provided link.
  2. Study Section 3.3: Internal Components, and complete the 10 question Exam to complete the Section.

Assigned: January 23rd, 2024
Teacher Pacing Due Date: January 24th, 2024

IT Fundamentals, Section 3.2: Computing Devices – TestOut

Objective: 

This section describes different types of computing devices. After finishing this section, you should be able to:

• Compare and contrast the features of various computing devices, including cost, screen size, computing power, portability, storage capacity, cases and form factors, and digital cameras.
• Recommend computing devices based on user requirements.

Links:

Key Terms:

  • Desktop
  • Notebook/Laptop
  • Mobile Device

Topics Discussed:

  • How are desktops, laptops, and mobile devices similar? How are they different?
  • What kinds of tasks are best done on each kind of device?

Assignment:

  1. Access the TestOut Courseware through the provided link.
  2. Study Section 3.2: Computing Devices, and complete the 10 question Exam to complete the Section.

Assigned: January 22nd, 2024
Teacher Pacing Due Date: January 23rd, 2024

IT Fundamentals, Section 2.5: Digital Media Careers – TestOut

Objective: 

This section describes common careers in digital media creation. After finishing this section, you should be able to:

  • Describe common careers in digital media, including video production, graphic design, and digital audio production.
  • Identify skills and educational requirements for digital media careers.

Links:

Key Terms:

  • Video Production Specialist
  • Graphic Designer
  • Digital Audio Producer

Topics Discussed:

  • How does the work of digital media professionals affect my daily life?
  • How can I prepare for a career in digital media?

Assignment:

  1. Access the TestOut Courseware through the provided link.
  2. Study Section 2.5: Digital Media Careers, and complete the 5 question Exam to complete the Section.

Assigned: January 19th, 2024
Teacher Pacing Due Date: January 19th, 2024

IT Fundamentals, Section 2.4: Media Formatting – TestOut

Objective: 

This section explains how digital media is encoded, compressed, and stored in different file formats. After finishing this section, you should be able to:

• Describe how audio and video are stored digitally.
• Distinguish between raster and vector images.
• Select the best format for digital images.
• Describe how RGB values determine pixel color.
• Compare common image file types.
• Describe the most common digital audio and video file formats.
• Describe how 3D modeling is used for computer graphics.
• Describe the difference between lossless and lossy compression algorithms.
• Discuss how sampling rate and bit depth impact the quality of digital audio.
• Discuss how file compression and image resolution impact the quality of digital images.

Links:

Key Terms:

  • Sample
  • Bit Depth
  • Sampling Rate
  • Frame Rate
  • Resolution
  • Color Depth
  • RGB Display
  • Raster Images
  • Vector Images
  • File Compression
  • Lossless Compression
  • Lossy Compression
  • Run-Length Encoding
  • Compression Artifact
  • Bitrate
  • Video Codecs
  • Wireframes
  • Rendering
  • Ray Tracing

Topics Discussed:

  • How are pictures and sounds encoded as ones and zeros?
  • Where have I seen raster images in my daily life? Where have I seen vector images?
  • When is having a small file size more important than having pristine quality? When is quality important enough to justify large file sizes?

Assignment:

  1. Access the TestOut Courseware through the provided link.
  2. Study Section 2.4: Media Formatting, and complete the 10 question Exam to complete the Section.

Assigned: January 18th, 2024
Teacher Pacing Due Date: January 19th, 2024