GBC COT 204 - Using Windows COT 204 - Using Windows (Vista) Revised: January, 2008 Credits: 3 Instructor: Ed Nickel Office: HTC 133 Phone: 753-2241 (office with voice mail) E-mail: due to increased spam my email address will be provided the first day of class Class Web Page: http://cot.gbcnv.edu/~ed/class/cot204.html Textbook: Windows Vista: The Definitive Guide, by William R. Stanek, ISBN 0596528000 is available at the college bookstore or click here for some discounters/used book dealers. Click here for my home page, there for syllabi index, or when for office hours. SYLLABUS CATALOG DESCRIPTION: COT 204, Using Windows covers the fundamentals necessary to operate the Windows system, how to customize the Windows environment, and how to use the various accessories. (Formerly, COT 204, Introduction to Windows) Welcome to COT 204, Using Windows, primarily Vista with a some XP for comparison. This course provides an in-depth introduction to the most widely used personal computer operating system, Windows. However, since Windows Vista has only been available from Microsoft for a short while we will also cover some of the key differences between XP and Vista as we progress through this class. We will cover many aspects of Vista from the fundamentals of navigating this OS and customizing it to advanced uses of its networking capabilities and multimedia accessories. COT 204 can be used as a substitute for CIT 112 computer AAS program requirements except in the Networking Specialist program. This class has no prerequisites, although it assumes you have some fundamental math and typing skills. You will need additional time each week to do homework assignments and to practice topics covered in class. If you have Windows Vista, doing your assignments at home is a good way to complete your assignments, however, if you or others use your computer for significant work, please be aware that you will be changing various settings so you should make note of your initial settings prior to make changes so you can put things back when you have completed these exercises. Due to the specialized nature of the lab exercises required for this class if you cannot use your home computer you may use the computers in HTC 139 lab on the Elko campus to do homework. METHOD OF INSTRUCTION: This class will be live using GBC's computer labs. You are expected to participate in class discussions, lab exercises, various quizzes, the exams, and other class activities. I can be reached at the phone number listed above or you can make an appointment to see me during office hours or at other times. Office hours are posted on my office door and on my web site. The schedule of reading assignments, homework, and tests is found below. There will be a short quiz each week on the material covered that week. Additional assignments may be given from time to time in class. Major Objectives Of This Class The primary objective for this class is to provide students with a strong working knowledge of Windows Vista as a workstation environment. To this end, since most people have a basic familiarity with Windows, we will quickly move through the essential basics of this operating system and then cover more advanced topics like installation and configuration, multimedia capabilities, and networking both in peer-to-peer and client/server environments. The more important topics to be covered in this class include: install, configure, & manage Windows Vista components list the major differences between Vista Home Basic, Vista Home Premium, Vista Business, & Vista Ultimate as well as their XP counterparts setup & use Windows networking and Internet capabilities in home & small business settings demonstrate the capabilities of Media Player, Movie Maker & other Vista multimedia functions define & illustrate the relationships between applications, hardware, & operating systems perform basic Windows Vista diagnostics & troubleshooting Learning Outcomes The successful student in this class will be able to: configure & operate the Windows operating system implement a functional Windows workstation operating environment; install & configure software applications on a Windows system install & configure peripheral devices and their drivers on a Windows system use the embedded multimedia functions of Windows, such as Media Player, Movie Maker, etc.; locate & properly use the most important Windows file structures; establish basic network connectivity between peer systems & with a server; facilitate security systems in the Windows environment; perform basic Windows diagnostics & maintenance. Learner Outcome Measurements Assessment MethodLearner Outcomes Class Discussion 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 Hands On Exercises 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 Exams 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 Class Policies & Procedures GRADING POLICY: This is a letter grade class an A=90-100%, B=80-89%, C=70-79%, D=60-69%, F=59% or less or W=Official Withdrawal if done before the withdrawal deadline. There is no curve in this grading scale. Your grade will be based 30% on class participation and discussion, 30% on your assignments, and 40% on exam results. All assignments are due by the beginning of the next class. EXAM & QUIZ PROCEDURES: All exams and quizzes will be objective, e.g. true/false, multiple choice, fill-in the blank, etc, and will be conducted using GBC's web based learning system. ATTENDANCE POLICY: The instructor must agree in advance to any excused absences unless there are strong extenuating circumstances. Three (3) unexcused absences can result in a failing grade. In on-line sections of this class, an absence is one week when you do not participate in class or contact the instructor. OTHER POLICIES: Plagiarism and other forms of academic dishonesty will not be tolerated and can result in a failing grade. The student conduct policy stated in the current GBC Catalog will be enforced. This syllabus is not a contract and is subject to reasonable changes as the class proceeds. Course Schedule You should have read and be prepared to discuss each week's topics by the beginning of class. We will have significant hands on experiences during most lessons. Topics & readings by week and lesson: Starting at the Beginning Chapters 1-3 Vista intro How many Vistas are there & what do they do? The user interface Customizing your view Navigating the Computer and the Web Chapters 6-7 Windows Explorer Internet Explorer Software & Software Installation Chapter 4 OS vs apps Installing software Managing software Data Sharing & Security Chapter 11 Securing files & folders Access control Sharing files & folders Viewing Multimedia Chapters 8-9 the "new & improved" Media Player digital photos and videos Creating Mutlimedia Chapter 10 audio video Hardware Chapters 5 & 12 Drivers Hardware installation Printers, scanners, etc. Mid-term exam Networking Chapter 14 Networking principles Home networks Small business networks Internet Access Chapter 17 Broadband technologies Wireless networking Security Features Chapters 15, 24, & 28 Anti-virus Anti-spyware Firewalls IE security User & Group Accounts Chapter 18 Account types Permissions Parental Controls* Hard Drive Management & System Maintenance Chapter 19-20 HD configuration & preparation Compression & encryption General maintenance Task scheduling Other Vista Features Chapters 25-27 Media center* Group policies Tips & Tricks, as well as a Vista Wrap-up Chapter 29 + Final exam Click here for my home page, there for my syllabi index, or when my for office hours. COT 204 - Using Windows (Vista) website copyright © 2002-2008 by Ed Nickel last updated January, 2008 this class may include a