Lesson plan

Level 3 Technical LevelIT: Technical Support, IT: User Support

Unit name:Developing and maintaining computer

Networks

Performance outcome:PO5 – P12, P13, M5, M6, D2

Unit type:Internally assessed

Tutor name:

Group or cohort
Week no. / 21
Date
Guidance notes
Networks are ubiquitous at home and in the work place. They are responsible for the management and storage of huge amounts of data and for monitoring complex systems. Failures to plan the design and development of a new or upgraded network can be extremely embarrassing and costly as the recent disaster with the ‘NHS National Programme for IT’ confirms.
Networks will fail at some point resulting in potentially costly problems such as inability to receive orders, inability to communicate with staff or external organisations, loss of customer loyalty, loss of reputation and potential loss of revenue.
While unpredictable problems will arise, wherever possible networks should be maintained so that issues do not arise. However, in most organisations there are a number of individuals involved in maintaining the network across various locations. Also, staff move on to other roles or jobs inside or outside of the organisation and it is important to leave a record of what was done, when it was done and why it was done.
This lesson looks as a range of documentation, which is used in fault finding and resolution and preventative maintenance and identifies the type of activities, which should be carried out.
Resources
•Document templates
•Notes from visit to network facility
Test plan exampleswww3.nd.edu/~atovar/ame30362f08/Test_Plan_Template_01.doc
Creating the test plantechnet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc961205.aspx
Network test plan: Checklist for architecture changes
searchnetworking.techtarget.com/tip/Network-test-plan-Checklist-for-architecture-changes
Length – 1 hour

Links to other assessment or performance outcomes:

• Unit 1 – Fundamental principles of computing.

• Unit 2 – Communication technologies.

• Unit 4 – Supporting end users.

• Unit 5 – Installing and maintaining software.

• Unit 6 – Organisational system security.

• Unit 7 – Computer forensic investigation.

• Unit 8 – Industrial project.

Lesson objective

What will the learners know or be able to do by the end of the lesson?

Understand the importance of having the correct documentation to record each step of fault finding and rectification and also the preventative maintenance which has been carried out.

Understand the importance of signing and dating such documentation.

Estimate the cost of the rectification/maintenance.

Activities

Consider what can be done to get the learners engaged in the lesson.

Tutor led:

•Recap previous lesson.

•Purpose of lesson. (10 minutes)

Tutor led:

•Lead discussion on the importance of documentation and test planning to the safety and maintenance of the network.

•Provide examples of actual documentation and test plan from centre and/or local bodies.

(20 minutes)

Group activity

Small groups (4–6) use their experience of documentation, which arose from a visit to the network facility, to compare different approaches to test plans, faulty finding and rectification documentation. Differences in content should be identified and possible explanations for the variances summarised. (20 minutes)

Tutor led:

Recap of session and brief review of group findings.

(10 minutes)

Synoptic assessment

Learners should draw upon knowledge that they have gained from previous or concurrent study or

Stretch and Challenge activities?

Identify whether documentation can be, or should be, adapted for different user groups

work experience in relation to the following units:
• Unit 1 – Fundamental principles of computing.
• Unit 2 – Communication technologies.
• Unit 4 – Supporting end users.
• Unit 5 – Installing and maintaining software.
• Unit 6 – Organisational system security.
• Unit 7 – Computer forensic investigation.
• Unit 8 – Industrial project. / or users with extensive or limited technical understanding.
Transferable skills and/or soft skills
These skills are practiced within the small group activity:
• analysis
• negotiating
• ability to interpret complex information
• time management.
The following soft skills are demonstrated through engagement in the small group work and the presentation by the specialist:
• communication (written, speaking and listening)
• commitment
• working under pressure. / English and maths
English:
• Listening to and interpreting complex information.
• Oral communication within small groups.
• Note taking to capture salient points.
• Oral communication within a large group.
Assessment
Observation of:
• engagement in research activities demonstrating theoretical and practical knowledge and skills
• contribution to group discussions
• contribution to class discussions
• responses to questions. / Meaningful employer engagement
•Opportunity to visit network facilities prior to commencing lesson.
•Copies of real testing documentation from different organisations.
•Discussing network testing and fault finding with learners during visits.