The TechnoSpecialist course has 25 assignments divided into six sessions.

Session 1: Introduction to the Computer

Students become Information Technology Specialists. Their job is to help customers purchase computer hardware by creating an information package that explains computer parts in simple terms. To prepare for this task, students learn about different types of computers, input devices, and output devices. Afterwards, they use Microsoft PowerPoint to customize the slide master to make a unique design for their information package. Upon completion, students use the slide master to create a title and introduction slide.

Session 2: Storage Devices

Students learn about the importance of data storage. To start, they consider the reasons a computer needs to store data and are introduced to terminology used to measure storage capacity. Next, they learn about storage devices including a flash drive, hard drive, and cloud storage. They apply their knowledge to create slides about each device to educate consumers about the purpose of various data storage devices. Next, students compare the storage capacity of each device and create a slide that contains a comparison chart.

Session 3: Types of Memory

Students learn about the two types of memory, RAM and ROM. They read information to discover why the computer needs memory and how it affects performance. Afterwards, students summarize the facts about RAM and ROM using a graphic organizer. This new slide in the information package will help customers gain an understanding of what to consider when purchasing a computer.

Session 4: The Microprocessor

Students become familiar with the microprocessor. To understand why this computer part is the main factor in computer speed and efficiency, the history, function, and operation are studied. Afterwards a slide is constructed that explains to customers, in a simple way, the importance of the microprocessor and what should be considered when making a purchasing decision.

Session 5: Sight and Sound

Students learn about the monitor, graphics card, and sound card. To start they study the attributes that affect picture quality, such as contrast ratio, pixel pitch, and resolution. They summarize this information in a table. Next, students gain an understanding about how the computer produces sound. Afterwards, they write a simple explanation about the sound card and place a recorded sound clip about this component onto the slide.

Session 6: Your Computer, Your Way!

Students prepare to launch the company initiative: Your Computer, Your Way. To start, they edit the spelling and add speaker notes to each slide. Students then practice sharing the information package with customers by presenting the slide show to an audience, using the recently created speaker notes and pen to illustrate important points. Next, they save the information package with a new filename to create an interactive tutorial that uses hyperlinks and action buttons to allow customers to access the information at a kiosk. Afterwards, they save the presentation as a video so that it can be viewed on any computer, emailed, or posted to the Internet. Finally, students print the information package as a handout. Customers will now be able to select computer components competently thanks to the versatile Your Computer, Your Way information package.

Optional Advanced PowerPoint Activities

• About the Computer: Review input and output devices.
• History of the Computer: Edit PowerPoint slides.
• Data Storage: Select the right device for the task.
• Computers in Society: Produce a graphic organizer.