CISCO IT Essentialspart I Syllabus:
Period 1
The purpose of this class is to give students the necessary skills in basic computer assembly and repair, which will prepare them to succeed in both the CISCO certification exam and in future computer science fields.
Basic Class Information
Teacher: Mr. Lynch
Textbook: None- all online
Website: (flash required)
Supplies: lab fee($5.00) and valid e-mail address.
Scope of the Content
IT Essentials I: PC Hardware and Software presents an in-depth exposure to computer hardware and operating systems. Students learn the functionality of hardware and software components as well as suggested best practices in maintenance, and safety issues. Through hands on activities and labs, students learn how to assemble and configure a computer, install operating systems and software, and troubleshoot hardware and software problems. In addition, an introduction to networking is included. This course helps students prepare for CompTIA's A+ certification.
This is college-level coursework and follows CISCO rules. All content is online as well as demos, quizzes, and tests. It is not easy material; be prepared to work both in class and outside of class to benefit the most from this course. This class is not recommended for sophomores nor freshmen.
This class is taught entirely online and is largely self-paced. Students are presented with a schedule to give them an idea where they need to be at any given time, and class lectures will reflect this schedule, but students are allowed to work ahead if they choose. Students who fall behind by two weeks or more will have their parents notified, as this material is extremely difficult to catch up.
Grading and Assessment:
Your grade is an accumulation of your chapter test scores, the lab practical, and the final exam. Each chapter has its own online test which may be repeated up to three times. There are occasionally additional multi-chapter tests that come up. At the end of each semester, you are also given a lab practical which will last no longer than three hours. Be aware that CISCO requires a 70% to pass; a 69% in this class is considered to be a failing grade. All tests and exams are closed-notes, and will be activated only once the teacher has seen the student’s notes for that chapter. There are periodic labs that are also required to be completed before a test is activated.
Nine Weeks Exam- The nine-weeks exam administered at the end of each nine weeks makes up 20% of the student’s overall nine-weeks grade as mandated by the school board. Your nine-weeks exam. If you have one, is simply one of the normal chapter tests administered by CISCO. The end of the semester exam is the final exam administered by CISCO.
Assigning Letter Grades- Student letter grades will follow the grading scale outlined by the St. Tammany Parish School Board. CISCO requires an overall 70% to pass; a grade of 67%-69% is considered failing and will reflect a failing grade on your school report card.
Basic Teacher Information:
Mr. Lynch was raised in Slidell, Louisiana and is a graduate of NorthshoreHigh School. He received three Bachelors of Arts degrees (Biology, Psychology, and Liberal Arts) and a minor (History) at West VirginiaUniversity and his Masters of Teaching degree from the University of Virginia. His free electives were spent in gifted education and technology integration. Mr. Lynch has also received CISCO instructor certification for CCNA and IT Essentials parts 1 and 2, as well as Pharmacy Technician instructor certification. Mr. Lynch has previously taught at WaynesboroHigh School, Waynesboro, VA, and has been at CHS since spring 2004. He also has three years of experience teaching statistics at the college level. Mr. Lynch currently resides in Slidell with his wife, son, and daughter.
CISCO CCNA and IT Essentials Parent Form
Dear Parents,
Your child has chosen to take one or more of Covington High’s advanced computer classes, either CISCO CCNA (computer network administration) or IT Essentials (computer assembly/repair and server maintenance). These courses are taught entirely online through CISCO’s NetworkAcademy website and the material’s difficulty level is at the college-level. Upon completion of these courses, your child will have been exposed to all of the material covered on each classes’ respective certification exams, and are encouraged to take them. CCNA prepares them for the CCNA certification exam, whereas the IT Essentials class prepares them for the A+ certification exam.
If your son/daughter is considering a career in computers, these classes are excellent preparation for them. However, please be aware that these are difficult classes, and that CISCO requires an overall 70% or higher for a passing mark. If you have an Internet connection at home, you may at any time check on the progress of your child. He or she can simply log into the CISCO website and show you their grades. There is no textbook for this class; all material, tests, and the final exam is online. Also, due to the fact that students will be online daily, please realize that misuse of the computer in any way (visiting inappropriate sites, going to chat rooms, etc) is taken very seriously and will likely result in not only a discipline report but also possible removal from the class.
This is a self-paced class, but a tentative schedule is handed out to give all students an idea of where they should be. Falling behind in either class almost certainly will guarantee a failing grade. Students are able to access the content online at home, so if you have an Internet connection and your child is falling behind, encouraging them to catch up at home is highly recommended.
Some important information for you:
Teacher: Mr. Vance Lynch
E-mail:
CISCO website:
I encourage regular contact with parents. Please sign below to indicate that you have read this and are aware that your child is in a difficult but highly rewarding course.
(Please Return to Mr. Lynch)
Parents Signature:______Phone: ______
Child’s Name (print): ______
Parent’s E-mail Address(es): ______