Online Computer Support Technician Training

To prepare students for an entry-level position as a computer support technician.

Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:

• Determine how to establish a study schedule, organize your materials, and choose an appropriate place to study
• Discuss the role of technology in business and society, including trends and their implications for the future
• List the basic steps for unpacking, setting up, using, and troubleshooting a computer system
• Identify the tools and test equipment associated with PC repair and explain their purpose
• Describe the major components contained in a PC and explain the purpose of each
• Discuss the three types of software required for a PC to operate and explain the purpose of each
• Discuss the relationship between hardware and software
• Identify the work-related characteristics that are important for a successful PC technician
• Describe the methods available for you to remain current with new developments in technology
• Create new Word documents, edit and format Word documents, add graphics and tables to Word documents
• Create and use simple formulas and functions, incorporate useful charts and graphs, add, delete, sort, and lay out table using the Excel application
• Create a PowerPoint presentation, work with PowerPoint tools, tables, and charts, apply Slide Master, shapes, add animation, illustration objects, and media clips
• Create a home inventory database using MS Access application
• Identify the various operating systems along with their characteristics, features, and capabilities
• List and discuss operating maintenance procedures used to keep a computer running at peak efficiency
• List and discuss hardware maintenance procedures used in the physical upkeep of the PC and its attached devices
• Describe preventive measures and methods you can use to protect data and identify ways to recover lost or corrupted data
• Identify and explain how to use tools available for troubleshooting and support of computers running Windows XP, Vista, or Windows 7
• Discuss the basics of troubleshooting software, hardware, and the OS on a Macintosh computer
• Discuss why customer service is important and identify behaviors that engage customers
• Determine how to provide customers with value and meet/exceed expectations
• Recognize numerous steps that can be used to troubleshoot basic problems that impact the function of a PC
• Describe techniques that will assist you with PC maintenance in a business setting
• Describe each step of the troubleshooting process, its importance, and how that step is practiced in the field
• State the user's role in the troubleshooting process and how to integrate this aspect into the technician's work
• Cite various strategies used in the troubleshooting process, such as “divide and conquer”
• Demonstrate effective written and interpersonal communication skills
• Describe communication systems used by computers to form networks
• Discuss the various types of networking protocols
• Differentiate between network topologies
• Describe the function of IP addressing schemes
• Identify different networking implementation strategies and technologies available
• Describe the features of Cisco's IOS, and apply the concepts to all standard data communication networks
• Describe the process of configuring routers and switches
• Describe components of the system board, the role of the system board, and ways to upgrade an existing system
• Differentiate between RAM and ROM
• Identify the type of memory a system board requires and describe how to properly install system RAM
• Describe how to repair, replace, and install many of the most common types of drives that support removable media
• Determine how to optimize a hard drive and troubleshoot common hard drive problems
• State how to install various types of multimedia devices such as sound cards, video cards, CD, and DVD drives
• Discuss how to measure and test the output of different power supplies
• Recognize different power supply failures and describe how to replace a typical power supply
• Describe basic maintenance and upgrades, power options, and Internet connection options for notebook computers
• Describe basic maintenance and upgrades, power options, and network connection options for mobile devices
• Determine how to install different types of modems, set them up for communication over the Internet, and troubleshoot problems modems have
• Recognize how to configure PCs to enable a Remote Desktop connection

The advantages of learning at home; types of study materials; types of examinations; accessing and using the features of our website; determining what kind of learner you are; establishing a study schedule; using study tips; preparing for and taking examinations.

This course is a brief introduction to the constantly changing world of computer technology in the Information Age.

Objectives:

• Describe the social and professional impact and importance of technology.
• Recognize some basics of the language technology.
• Identify career opportunities related to technology.

This course provides the student with a broad view of PC Maintenance and Repair, focusing on the essential elements of hardware and software, as well as the importance of safety.

Objectives:

• Describe the physical parts (hardware) and the programs that run the computer (software).
• Understand how hardware and software work together.
• Identify the essential knowledge and skills to be a successful computer support technician.

Objectives:

• Learn the main features of Microsoft® Word,™ Excel,® PowerPoint,® and Access.®
• Create and edit documents using Word.™
• Create and modify worksheets in Excel.®
• Craft interesting presentations in PowerPoint® to capture the attention of your audience.
• Manage your personal, educational, and professional data with Access.®

Discover how operating systems communicate with each computer hardware device, display data on the monitor, and retrieve and store information on the disk drive.

Objectives:

• Perform standard operating and maintenance procedures.
• Learn about computer viruses and how to avoid them.
• Examine how Windows® and Apple® operating systems work.
• Configure Windows® 7 with simulation software.

Software: Lab Sim Configuring Windows® 7

In this lesson, you’ll learn what customer service encompasses and why it is essential to meet customer needs.

Objectives:

• Read about the many different kinds of customers you’ll serve.
• Discover what to expect on the job.

Textbook: Customer Service: Career Success through Customer Loyalty

In this course you’ll learn the skills you need to become more confident in your writing.

Objectives:    

• Know the parts of speech.
• Use pronouns and modifiers properly and effectively.
• Explain subject-verb agreement.
• Use end marks, commas, and other common punctuation marks.
• Use capitalization correctly.
• Explain common spelling rules and use them in your writing.
• Cite research sources.
• Compose a variety of sentence structures.
• Construct unified, coherent paragraphs.
• Connect paragraphs to build a well-organized, logical document.
• Identify your audience, medium, and purpose.
• Focus and organize your ideas.
• Plan both informal and formal writing projects.
• Revise, edit, and proofread to make your final copy accurate and professional.
• Write well-structured, professional letters.
• Format business letters, memos, and e-mails.

Objectives:

• Learn how to diagnose and then repair a PC that’s not functioning properly.
• Discover how to solve computer problems and maintain a computer to avoid problems.
• Understand how to use the diagnostic software included in the course.

Learn the parts of the computer that are considered the hardware.

Objective:

• Identify and describe the system board, central processing unit, read-only and random access memory, disk drives, hard drive, and CD and DVD drives.

Prerequisite: Introduction to PC Repair

This course provides the student with more sophisticated techniques in PC repair.

Objectives:

• Support mobile computing devices such as laptops, netbooks, smart phones, tablets, and iPads.
• Purchase and build PCs.
• Troubleshoot, support, protect, and recover PCs.

Prerequisite: PC Hardware 1

In this course, you’ll learn how computers communicate with each other and how to form networks.

Objectives:

• Learn network fundamentals.
• Discover how local area networks and wide area networks work.
• Understand how to maintain, troubleshoot, and secure a network.
• Become familiar with the devices used for connecting networks.

Textbook: Cisco Networking Essentials