CNT 51B - A+ Operating System Fundamentals

Course Description

Introductory course covers concepts and skills necessary to support the Windows 9x/NT/2000/XP operating systems. Designed to take students from the just-a-user level to understanding the behind-the-scenes of installation, configuration, upgrading, customizing, optimizing, diagnosing, and troubleshooting a Windows Operating System and the most common software applications. Students will learn installation procedures for Windows, create and use emergency boot diskettes and manage printers and other devices. Other topics include networking, communication protocols, Internet access and troubleshooting. In hands-on exercises, students will install Windows operating systems, manage Windows devices, use the FDISK utility, perform backups, manage system files, configure networks, configure Internet access, and troubleshoot operating system errors. Prepares students for the A+ Operating System Technologies portion of the CompTIA A+ Certification exam. Strongly recommended: Computer Networking Technology 51A.

To take this class, you must have daily access to a computer with an Internet connection and experience using a web browser. You will also need to utilize your college Zonemail account. Learn more about Zonemail.

Check the college catalog for CSU/UC transferability and to see if this course meets AA/AS degree requirements.

This class begins Oct 22 and ends Dec 14.

On-Campus Meetings

Students will meet on campus Fridays from 6:00-10:15 p.m. in Room 804. They will be required to complete the remainder of the course online. You can attend an OPTIONAL, on-campus orientation to Online Learning on June 10 (6:30-8 p.m.), Aug 10 (1-2:30 p.m.), or Aug 12 (6:30-8 p.m.). All sessions will be in Room 2420 on campus. Virtual sessions will be offered on the Internet on June 15 and Aug 19 from 5:30-7 p.m. Learn more about these orientations, which are NOT course-specific.

How This Class Operates

The online learning activities and face-to-face instruction will complement each other in this class. As a result, this combination will maximize your learning while providing you with time flexibility.

Succeeding Online

Students who succeed in the online portion of hybrid courses tend to be independent, self-motivated learners with good computer skills. If you are a procrastinator who relies heavily on the instructor for motivation and can't use a computer too well, you should probably consider enrolling in a completely face-to-face course instead.

Also, don't enroll in this class if you believe the myth that learning online requires less effort than learning face-to-face. This course covers the same content and has similar activities as the face-to-face version of the course; only the method of delivery partly changes.

LPC offers a tutorial called "Succeeding in an online course" that will not only tell you if you are a good fit for online learning, but it also offers many strategies -- among other pertinent information -- that will help you succeed online. Though the title of the tutorial says "online course", all of it is applicable to the online portion of hybrid courses. Please complete the tutorial.

Blackboard

This course will use the Blackboard course management system as its virtual classroom. To learn how to log in to Blackboard, go to the Blackboard Login Procedures page. Once you enroll, you will not be able to log in until the first day of class.