Computer Class

[RIOT]

I had an offer to teach a night computer class about how to build your own PC. Here's the class description:

LEARN TO BUILD YOUR OWN COMPUTER

Have you ever wondered about all those noises your computer makes while you are working? In this class we will explore everything that goes on inside the magic box by building one, step-by-step. You will receive tips on how to upgrade your computer and add memory. This program is open to all levels of experience and is designed to unravel some of the mysteries that often make humans and computers opponents. This class will focus on the IBM Compatible PC. You will leave the class ready to build or upgrade your own computer.

This class is a non-credit class so I don't have to worry about grades/sylibus(sp?)/attendance/ect. The bad thing is I have to plan the time to meet, the textbook, the lessons, and then I have to decide what computer parts I want to use etc. I've switched out parts, but never actually build a computer from scratch. I know that I can though. This is where I need a little help.

Also what parts would you recommend I use? I'm leaning towards a midtower Petium II (not sure about speed), 64 MB RAM, a simple video card and sound card (nothing too fancy or expensive), and a network card. I have no clue about the type or brand of motherboard I need or should use. If anyone has any other suggestions, I would really appreciate them.

[ephmynus]

I would go with any ABIT mobo. Less of a chance of it locking up when you first start it after the build Also, you may want to think about two systems if they really want to learn. One socket and one slot just so they know the difference.

[Stalemate]

I would recommend a quality (Intel or 3Com) NIC to avoid setup difficulties.

You don't want to turn off the students by troubleshooting a network problem

[Radical Dreamer]

Guillemont makes a nice cheap sound card $25 called muse that I have been using and have had no trouble with.

As for Ram use crucial.com

For a cheap vid card thats really powerful get a voodoo 5 5500

[Auric]

my suggestion is go with known brands for everything..less likely will there be trouble..here is a good starter/mini config

Asus CUV4X Motherboard
PIII 800EB
128megs SDRam
Soundblaster "Ensoniq" 16bit PCI Sound Card
D-Link 538TX NIC
20gb Fujitsu HD
32meg ATI video card.
52x CD-Rom
Case, and a Floppy

I have built many of these systems with little or no setup hickups. all is name brand stuff, but cheap

[Geek #1]

You could also use an early Pentium (P133) machine to show the class how the industry has changed over the last 10 years.

[Geek #1]

You could also use an early Pentium (P133) machine to show the class how the industry has changed over the last 10 years.

[techguy13]

I recently gave a lecture on PC hardware to the CS class at the college where I work as a Network Support Analyst. My strategy was to make the class as tactile and immediately relevant to the students as I could in 90 minutes. I handed out some dead mobos and CPU's explaining the different sockets and slots and the importance of zero insertion force .I cracked open a dead SCSI drive to give a view of the platters and heads pointing out the difference between the cable interface between SCSI IDE and ATA 100. For every techi term used I tried to incorporate some physical equivalent for the students to have real hands on experience even though the time was limited. Above all I took time to allow the students to ask questions. Once I got the class rolling there was no shortage of questions. I am looking forward to giving the same lecture next semester and polishing it up a bit. Good luck and have fun Connman. P.S. Scott Mueller's "Upgrading and REpairing PCs" is a great hardware book.

[techguy13]

[quote]Originally posted by techguy13:
<strong>I recently gave a lecture on PC hardware to the CS class at the college where I work as a Network Support Analyst. My strategy was to make the class as tactile and immediately relevant to the students as I could in 90 minutes. I handed out some dead mobos and CPU's explaining the different sockets and slots and the importance of zero insertion force .I cracked open a dead SCSI drive to give a view of the platters and heads pointing out the difference between the cable interface between SCSI IDE and ATA 100. For every techi term used I tried to incorporate some physical equivalent for the students to have real hands on experience even though the time was limited. Above all I took time to allow the students to ask questions. Once I got the class rolling there was no shortage of questions. I am looking forward to giving the same lecture next semester and polishing it up a bit. Good luck and have fun Connman. P.S. Scott Mueller's "Upgrading and Repairing PCs" is a great hardware book.</strong><hr></blockquote>

[RIOT]

[quote]Originally posted by techguy13:
<strong>P.S. Scott Mueller's "Upgrading and REpairing PCs" is a great hardware book.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Thanks for the tip on the book. I searched for some "build your own pc" books on Amazon and Barnes & Nobles and found "Build Your Own PC" by Morris Rosenthal. The reviews looked good for it and the second edition has an August 2001 copyright, so it should be up-to-date. As soon as I settle on a book, I can plan how long I want the class to run.

Thanks to everyone else for the hardware suggestions. Now I have to call and ask if the college is going to already have computers for my class or if I get to pick them out. If I get to pick them, I'm going to go with a local vendor to build one and have parts for five others. I'm going to limit the class to 10 students (couldn't handle more than that ) and have 2 students building one computer. The prebuilt computer is the one I'll have that I'll take apart to show what everything is. Then I'll rebuild it with the class.

[cpuguys.Net]

my suggestion is go with known brands for everything..less likely will there be trouble..here is a good starter/mini config
Asus CUV4X Motherboard
PIII 800EB
128megs SDRam
Soundblaster "Ensoniq" 16bit PCI Sound Card
D-Link 538TX NIC
20gb Fujitsu HD
32meg ATI video card.
52x CD-Rom
Case, and a Floppy

I have built many of these systems with little or no setup hickups. all is name brand stuff, but cheap

--------------------

"Knowledge belongs in the hands of the people"

The only thing I would change is the Network card. I would go with a 3com card. Just my opinion. I to have built machines like this and have had really no issues. Also your going to need pc133 with the eb chip. Trash the fujitsu and go with a WD (in the long run it will pay off)

Tom

[Blue Falcon]

How does one get to teach a class to build a computer? Especially if you've never done it before yourself?

[RIOT]

[quote]Originally posted by Falcon:
<strong>How does one get to teach a class to build a computer? Especially if you've never done it before yourself?</strong><hr></blockquote>

Mainly because I know people at the community college. Also because I taught a Network + class and many of my students said good things about me. And like I said in my first post, I've switched out parts before. I know building a computer from scratch is a lot different, but I feel confident that I have the knowledge to do it.

[Blue Falcon]

I'd be careful.

In the arena of building computers, it is easy to spot a bullsh*tter.

I know when I'm in a class and I can tell the lecturer is reaching, I try to push him/her over the edge. Serves them right for trying to teach a class about something they don't have a mastery over. But, I'm sadistic.

[algorithm_x]

I currently teach "PC repair, and the essentials of a network" I teach in Conway, AR and I have for the last two years. There are a few things to watch, first if you have had no formal, in shop experience, dont bother teaching a class on it, also when selecting a system generally have two different systems you use, an outdated pentium or AMD k5 system that laughs at plug and play,and a modern system with all of the cheeze and strawberies thrown in. Make sure they learn IRQ's, its shamefull when one of your graduated students calls up, and says "whats an IRQ, and where do I buy one?" if you use only new, advanced equipment thats all your students will understand.

Just swapping a card here or there is no justification to call oneself a "tech" I dont mean to be insulting or snide but its real world truths, Here, in order to be able to teach a class you must have a field of work related degree or comperable certification, when you get into class and you get a ringer from staffmark, or the local vo-tech they will ask how you are certified, and what your qualifications are, it gets mighty hot under the spotlight sometimes. As for class material, I always start off asking what these students are here to learn, what brought them here, and what do they expect to take away from it, I use a standard syllabus, for students to read when they sign up for the class but as soon as I talk to each of them I change the class to suit there needs, if you keep it at 10 or less you can tailor the class to the students needs. The best book I have found is "Thompson Learning: A+ guide to managing and maintaining your PC" this is a book designed specifically for these types of classes it is concise, well layed out, and a well written book, and it is big enough to wake a sleeping block head up when you drop it on the floor.

Finally the thing you hate the most are the people who signed up for the fifty dollar class and bring there computer in for 100.00 worth of shop time, make it clear that working on one students pc can be a great class lesson, but can lead to all ten bringing theirs in for "class work" you end up fixing everyones PC, and missing class material. Dont let the slackers pass, if they dont show up but for two or three nights fail them, your town certainly doesnt need a half cocked tech holding a certification from you and pluging everyones AT motherboard power supply leads in backwards. If you have any further questions or comments feel free to e-mail me, when I started this two years ago, there was almost no documentaion on how to go about teaching PC repair, it can be rough and it does have its momments. I am currently going to college to get a degree so I can teach Computer Science at a college level, I have found my calling with teaching maybe you can too.

[email protected]
PC repair class in conway <a href="http://www.caec.org" target="_blank">www.caec.org</a>