MS Office - 10/31/2005

Today we covered Chapter Four in the Excel unit.  Chapter Four covers various ways to enhancing a spreadsheet, including headers/footers, page breaks, print areas, find and replacing data, filters and lists.  We decided to go back to a Snap/lecture format, where I lecture in class, but make the Snap available for you to use.  Again, I highly recommend that you use Snap – it will definitely help you.

Homework:

• Completion 1-16


• Skill Assessments 1, 3, 4 ,5

Desktop Operating Systems - 10/31/2005

Happy Halloween ya bunch’a pansy wuss-balls.  Woo Skynyrd!!!!

Today we did the first unit of Excel, covering simple things like navigation, formulas, and very simple cell formatting.  As I explained, we dropped the Snap! system for in-class stuff, but I HIGHLY recommend going through the tutorials at your own leisure.  

Homework:

• Procedures Check 1-15 (pg 27)


• Skills Activities 1 & 2 (pg 28)

CompTIA A+ Hardware/OS

Today’s class focused on Printers and Portable PCs.  We talked in depth about the different types of printers, from impact to ink jet to laser.  Make sure you know about how to troubleshoot and maintain these types of printers.

We also registered some folks.  That was fun.

After lunch we talked about portable computers – namely, laptops.  Know about the different types of batteries and their specs.  Also know about the various peripherals (USB, etc.) and power management applets associated with laptops.

Homework:

• Chapter 21 – Questions 1-10


• Chapter 22 – Questions 1-10

Desktop OS 10/26/2005

Today we took our Word exam on Snap! and then, at the suggestion of some students, shifted the focus of the class (yet again) back to a lecture base.  I hope you like it – I’m tired of shifting and frankly I refuse to anymore.

Remember, optional Snap tutorials are available.

Homework:
Excel Questions 1-15 (Section 1)
Activities 1 & 2.  Make sure you print Activity 1.

CompTIA Network + Training - 10/25/2005

Today in Network + we covered Chapters 9, 10, and 11 – which covered wireless networking, protocols in general and the TCP/IP protocol in specific detail.  Great class today guys, we really covered a lot!

Homework:

• Chapter 9 – questions 1-10


• Chapter 10 – questions 1-10


• Chapter 11 – questions 1-10

Marketing - 10/25/2005

Business Marketing.  It’s really more interesting than it sounds.  I promise.

Business marketing is the act of targeting products towards businesses – more realistically anyone other than final consumers.  We talked about the ends and outs of the business market and how it differs from the consumer market.

Homework:

• Question 1.1


• Question 2.2 (which refers to question 1.1)

MS Office - 10/24/2005

More Snap Stuff today.

Today we did the tutorials for the third chapter in the Excel unit.  It seems like everyone is at least doing OK with the Snap tutorial system.  I may toy around with assigning two chapters of Snap next week which will allow us to get more learnin’ in – which can only be good, right?

Homework:

• Chapter 3 – Completion (pg 93)


• Skill Assessments 1, 2, 3

Desktop Operating Systems - 10/24/2005

Today’s class involved finishing up the Chapter Three tutorials that crashed out on us last week, and then taking the Snap! version of the Word Test.  As I’m typing this, it seems like most of you are plugging right away with these tutorials, and we’ve even had one student finish the test.  Overall, I feel like this system has been a success.  

There is one thing I feel like I need to address: please control your stress levels while working with this system.  We’ve established that Snap! is very picky, even finicky, to the point of pixel-accurate clicking requirements.  That is why I do not grade how you do on tutorials.  Getting mad and swearing, banging keyboards and mice and general huffing and puffing is not only distracting to other people, but it’s kind of childish too.

If you find yourself getting frustrated (and believe me, you will), just get up and take a break – even work on other homework for a few minutes if you have to.  As long as you get the tutorials done before class is out (and you have plenty of time), it’s cool with me.

Before you get bent out of shape, remember how good we all have it.  We all have enough food to eat.  We all have clothes on our backs.  We all have a way to get around town (or at least to school).  We all have it good enough that a silly computer tutorial system can actually stress us out. (  

Homework:

• Again, no written homework for next time, but do be ready to go on the Excel section of your book.  I’ve gone ahead and posted the Excel tutorials we’ll be doing next week.  Get a head start on them if you’d like!

CompTIA A+ Hardware/OS- 10/20/2005

In class today, we took Test Two, which covered Chapters 9, 10, 11, 17 & 18.  After class, we jumped to Chapter 20 and talked about sound cards.  Make sure you know the two types of sound that a soundcard deals with (MIDI and Waveform) and make sure you know the three factors that contribute to sound quality (frequency, bits and tracks).

After that, we broke for a lunch that was apparently too long.

Coming back from lunch (I had Chick-fil-A, what did you have?), we talked about Chapter 19 – SCSI.  Know that SCSI devices are serial devices that can be chained together and that all SCSI devices use something called bus mastering, which allows them to bypass the computer’s CPU.  Know the various “flavors” of SCSI (mine is Cherry, what’s yours?) and know the specs of each.  Also, make sure you know about the formats that are poised to take overtake SCSI in the coming years.

Towards the end of class, we got a great lesson from Brett and Marty about dead people.  

Homework:

• Chapter 19 – Questions 1-10


• Chapter 20 – Questions 1-10

Blog only info: Quiz next week on Chapters 19 & 20!    

Marketing - 10/18/2005

Tonight we had the pleasure of hearing Nick Brown, a multimedia coordinator at WBKO speak about his career and the impact that marketing has on his everyday business life.  He talked at length on how the demographics of the average viewer of a given show play into how businesses choose their advertising options.  If you enjoyed what Nick had to say, I’d encourage you to drop him a e-mail at nick.brown at wbko.com.

We also took the first test of the semester tonight which covered Chapters 1-3, and 5.  

Homework:

• No homework for next time.  We’ll jump in fresh next Tuesday!

CompTIA Network + Training - 10/18/2005

In today’s class we had Josh Smith (“Critter”) from Peterbilt in Goodlettsville drop by and give us a presentation on working our way into the IT field.  Josh gave some great advice on obtaining certifications, the interview process and what to know to function in the day-to-day life of a typical IT professional.  If you enjoyed Josh’s presentation, I encourage you to send him an e-mail at smith_jd at comcast.net and let him know.

Homework:

• No homework today, we’ll resume normal class operations next week.

MS Office - 10/17/2005

Snap.  Made from the Best Stuff on Earth.

Oh, wait.  That’s Snapple.  Anyway…

Today, we took our first exam, over the MS Word section of your book.  Everyone did remarkably well (especially since I carelessly included the answers on about half of the questions!).  I will have to say that you guys have done the best on the assessment (with the table of contents) of any group I’ve had, so congrats!

After that, we pioneered the Snap tutorial/testing delivery system conveniently written by your textbook publisher.  My reasoning for doing this is that it allows those of you who are computer pros to come in, sit down, get your stuff done and go home.  For those of you who need it, it allows me to offer more one-on-one assistance than I would otherwise be able to provide.  It’s a win-win.

In today’s tutorial, we covered Chapters 1 & 2.  As I’m typing this, the room seems pretty quiet, which is a pretty good sign!

If you’re reading this, please take a moment and comment and let me know what you think of the system – good or bad.  I’m interested in what you guys think of it.

Homework: (yes, there is homework, back off!)

• Chapter 1 – pg 29: Identifying (not the completion!)


• Chapter 2 – pg 64: Completion; pg 65, 66:

Correction: Do Skill Assessments 1 & 2!!

Boy, I’m just batting 1.000 today, aren’t I?  Assessment 5 needs Assessment 1 to work, so just do assessment 1 instead of 5.  

I’m going to go sit in the corner and cry now.
    

Desktop Operating Systems - 10/17/2005

My apologies to anyone who read this entry on the 17th or the 18th – something happened in the uploading process I use to record entries and my afternoon entry got recorded over my morning entry.  Oops!

Anyway, today we switched gears and introduced the Snap system to class.  We had a slightly unique situation in that the entire school lost its connection to the Internet, which rendered Snap useless.  But, hopefully, you still got a good taste for what the system has to offer and hopefully will enjoy using it.

Again, my main reasons for using this system is to both allow those who feel they have a good grasp on computers to get in, get out, be done, while allowing me to have more time to spend with people who need one-on-one attention.  As far as I can tell, everyone wins.

Please, if you’re reading this, leave a comment (it can be anonymous if you want) and let me know what you think of the Snap system, good, bad or indifferent.  I’m very interested in knowing what you think.

Homework:

• Because I’m just pretty much the best teacher in the universe, no homework.  Sing and rejoice.

    

CompTIA A+ Hardware/OS - 10/13/2005

In today’s class we covered Chapters 17 & 18, which covers CDs and Video, respectively.  Remember, we have a test next week (like you suggested), which will cover Chapters 9, 10, 11, 17 & 18.  We’ll briefly review before the test, where you can ask me questions and then we’ll dive right in.  Remember:

KNOW YOUR IRQ TABLES FOR THE LOVE OF GOD!

Homework:

• Chapter 17 – Questions 1-10


• Chapter 18 – Questions 1-10

Desktop Operating Systems - 10/12/2005

It’s a Snap!

Or not.  Today we tried using Paradigm (the people who print your book) Publishing’s new online delivery system called Snap.  What did we learn?  Well, we learned that the system is incredibly picky, but that it is possible to do well as long as you do exactly (and wooahh, do I mean exactly) what the instructions ask you to do and that you remember “the poison is in the tip of your arrow” (click with the tip of your arrow).  Thanks for being patient as we all get used to this new system.

Homework:

• Concepts on pg 65


• Activity 4 & 6

Marketing - 10/11/2005

In the latest installment of Marketing class, we discussed the various factors that influence consumer decision making.  Afterwards we discussed the test that will happen next week: Chapters 1-3, 5.  Make sure you know the four Ps as well as everything else on the study guide I provided!

Also, next week we will have a guest speaker – Nick Brown – who is a marketing coordinator for WBKO.

Homework:

• Chapter 5 – Question 1.1

CompTIA Network + Training - 10/11/2005

Today’s Network + class covered chapters seven and eight.  We first talked about other network technologies that exist other than Ethernet (they are out there!).  After that we discussed installation techniques and actually attached a RJ-45 connector to CAT5 cable!  Other topics of discussion today included stereo equipment, a brief flirtation with politics, and the fact that David actually prefers to be called Brett.  

Homework:

• Chapter Seven – Questions 1 – 10


• Chapter Eight – Questions 1 – 10

Microsoft Office - 10/10/2005

Today we covered Chapter Four which covered Formatting Documents.  

Homework:

• pg 142 – Concepts Check 1-15


• Skill Assessments 1 & 2

Desktop Operating Systems - 10/10/2005

Today we started the second section of the Word unit covering various formatting options available to us.  

Homework:

• pg 65 – 1-12


• pg 67 – Activity 4

CompTIA A+ Hardware/OS - 10/6/2005

It’s all about drive.  Specifically, hard and floppy drives.

Covering Chapters 9 & 10, we learned about the various types of storage capabilities that each floppy disk type is capable of; how to determine what drive letter a particular drive will obtain, and how to configure the floppies within the CMOS.

On the hard drive front, we talked about storage capabilities as well as the specific parts of the hard drive.  Andrew sliced his thumb open obliterating the casing around a hard disk so that we could see the platters, etc. inside.  

Homework:

• Chapter 9 – Questions 1-10


• Chapter 10 – Questions 1-10

Per your request, we will be having a test in two weeks!!!  Be prepared:

KNOW YOUR FREAKIN’ IRQ TABLES!!!

Desktop Operating Systems - 10/5/2005

Word up.

Today, after taking our test, we covered the first section of MS Word.  We covered topics including document navigation, AutoCorrect, etc.

Homework:

• Completion 1-12 (pg 28-29)


• Activity #5

CompTIA Network + Training 10/4/2005

Today’s class consisted of Test One, which covered Chapters 1-6.  Since I’m such a great guy and everything (bringmebrownies!) I let class out after the test.  

No Homework!  Yay!

Marketing 10/4/2005

Tonight’s class focused on Ethics and the Marketing Environment (Chapter 3).  Judging by the looks on various faces, this topic was either interesting or … notsomuch.

We talked about the differences where companies fell on the Pyramid of Social Responsibility, ranging from Economic to Philanthropic.  We also talked about the external environment, and the various factors that effect (affect?) it.  

Homework:

• Question 2 (All three subquestions) on pg 98


• Question 5 (Again, all three subquestions) on pg 99.

Heads-up: Test in two weeks over Ch 1-4!

Microsoft Office 10/3/2005

Today we learned about formatting paragraphs, including indents, spacing, tabs, borders, shading, etc.  Make sure that you know and can perform exercise 21 by heart, as you will definitely be seeing it again (hint, hint, poke, poke)

Homework:

• Ch3 Concepts Check 1-17


• Ch3 Skill Assessments 1, 4, 7 & 8

Remember!  Test in two weeks!!!  (10/17)

Desktop Operating Systems - 10/3/2005

Word, word, word is the word.

Today we did the first section of the Word unit which involved such activities as navigation, undo, selection techniques, AutoCorrect, etc.  

Homework for today was:

• pg 28 – Completion 1-12


• pg 30 – Activity #5