CS308PC: IT WORKSHOP LAB

B.Tech. II Year I Sem. L T/P/D C

0 0/3/0 1.5

Course Objectives:

The IT Workshop for engineers is a training lab course spread over 60 hours. The modules include training on PC Hardware, Internet & World Wide Web and Productivity tools including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Publisher.

PC Hardware introduces the students to a personal computer and its basic peripherals, the process of assembling a personal computer, installation of system software like MS Windows, Linux and the required device drivers. In addition hardware and software level troubleshooting process, tips and tricks would be covered. The students should work on working PC to disassemble and assemble to working condition and install Windows and Linux on the same PC. Students are suggested to work similar tasks in the Laptop scenario wherever possible. Internet & World Wide Web module introduces the different ways of hooking the PC on to the internet from home and workplace and effectively usage of the internet. Usage of web browsers, email, newsgroups and discussion forums would be covered. In addition, awareness of cyber hygiene, i.e., protecting the personal computer from getting infected with the viruses, worms and other cyber attacks would be introduced. Productivity tools module would enable the students in crafting professional word documents, excel spread sheets, power point presentations and personal websites using the Microsoft suite of office tools and LaTeX.

PC Hardware

Task 1: Identify the peripherals of a computer, components in a CPU and its functions. Draw the block diagram of the CPU along with the configuration of each peripheral and submit to your instructor.

Task 2: Every student should disassemble and assemble the PC back to working condition. Lab instructors should verify the work and follow it up with a Viva. Also students need to go through the video which shows the process of assembling a PC. A video would be given as part of the course content.

Task 3: Every student should individually install MS windows on the personal computer. Lab instructor should verify the installation and follow it up with a Viva.

Task 4: Every student should install Linux on the computer. This computer should have windows installed. The system should be configured as dual boot with both windows and Linux. Lab instructors should verify the installation and follow it up with a Viva

Task 5: Hardware Troubleshooting: Students have to be given a PC which does not boot due to improper assembly or defective peripherals. They should identify the problem and fix it to get the computer back to working condition. The work done should be verified by the instructor and followed up with a Viva.

Task 6: Software Troubleshooting: Students have to be given a malfunctioning CPU due to system software problems. They should identify the problem and fix it to get the computer back to working condition. The work done should be verified by the instructor and followed up with a Viva.

Internet & World Wide Web

Task 1: Orientation & Connectivity Boot Camp: Students should get connected to their Local Area Network and access the Internet. In the process they configure the TCP/IP setting. Finally students should demonstrate, to the instructor, how to access the websites and email. If there is no internet connectivity preparations need to be made by the instructors to simulate the WWW on the LAN.

Task 2: Web Browsers, Surfing the Web: Students customize their web browsers with the LAN proxy settings, bookmarks, search toolbars and pop up blockers. Also, plug-ins like Macromedia Flash and JRE for applets should be configured.

Task 3: Search Engines & Netiquette: Students should know what search engines are and how to use the search engines. A few topics would be given to the students for which they need to search on Google. This should be demonstrated to the instructors by the student.

Task 4: Cyber Hygiene: Students would be exposed to the various threats on the internet and would be asked to configure their computer to be safe on the internet. They need to first install an antivirus software, configure their personal firewall and windows update on their computer. Then they need to customize their browsers to block pop ups, block active x downloads to avoid viruses and/or worms.

LaTeX and WORD

Task 1 – Word Orientation: The mentor needs to give an overview of LaTeX and Microsoft (MS) office 2007/ equivalent (FOSS) tool word: Importance of LaTeX and MS office 2007/ equivalent (FOSS) tool Word as word Processors, Details of the four tasks and features that would be covered in each, Using LaTeX and word – Accessing, overview of toolbars, saving files, Using help and resources, rulers, format painter in word.

Task 2: Using LaTeX and Word to create project certificate. Features to be covered:- Formatting Fonts in word, Drop Cap in word, Applying Text effects, Using Character Spacing, Borders and Colors, Inserting Header and Footer, Using Date and Time option in both LaTeX and Word.

Task 3: Creating project abstract Features to be covered:-Formatting Styles, Inserting table, Bullets and Numbering, Changing Text Direction, Cell alignment, Footnote, Hyperlink, Symbols, Spell Check, Track Changes.

Task 4 : Creating a Newsletter: Features to be covered:- Table of Content, Newspaper columns, Images from files and clipart, Drawing toolbar and Word Art, Formatting Images, Textboxes, Paragraphs and Mail Merge in word.

Excel

Excel Orientation: The mentor needs to tell the importance of MS office 2007/ equivalent (FOSS) tool Excel as a Spreadsheet tool, give the details of the four tasks and features that would be covered in each. Using Excel – Accessing, overview of toolbars, saving excel files, Using help and resources.

Task 1: Creating a Scheduler - Features to be covered: Gridlines, Format Cells, Summation, auto fill, Formatting Text

Task 2 : Calculating GPA - .Features to be covered:- Cell Referencing, Formulae in excel – average, std.deviation, Charts, Renaming and Inserting worksheets, Hyper linking, Count function, LOOKUP/VLOOKUP

Task 3: Performance Analysis - Features to be covered:- Split cells, freeze panes, group and outline, Sorting, Boolean and logical operators, Conditional formatting

LaTeX and MS/equivalent (FOSS) tool PowerPoint

Task 1: Students will be working on basic PowerPoint utilities and tools which help them create basic PowerPoint presentation. Topic covered during this week includes: - PPT Orientation, Slide Layouts, Inserting Text, Word Art, Formatting Text, Bullets and Numbering, Auto Shapes, Lines and Arrows in both LaTeX and PowerPoint. Students will be given model PowerPoint presentation which needs to be replicated (exactly how it’s asked).

Task 2: Second week helps students in making their presentations interactive. Topic covered during this week includes: Hyperlinks, Inserting –Images, Clip Art, Audio, Video, Objects, Tables and Charts.

Task 3: Concentrating on the in and out of Microsoft PowerPoint and presentations in LaTeX. Helps them learn best practices in designing and preparing PowerPoint presentation. Topic covered during this week includes: - Master Layouts (slide, template, and notes), Types of views (basic, presentation, slide slotter, notes etc), and Inserting – Background, textures, Design Templates, Hidden slides.

REFERENCE BOOKS:

1. Comdex Information Technology course tool kit Vikas Gupta, WILEY Dreamtech
2. The Complete Computer upgrade and repair book, 3rd edition Cheryl A Schmidt, WILEY Dreamtech
3. Introduction to Information Technology, ITL Education Solutions limited, Pearson Education.
4. PC Hardware - A Handbook – Kate J. Chase PHI (Microsoft)
5. LaTeX Companion – Leslie Lamport, PHI/Pearson.
6. IT Essentials PC Hardware and Software Companion Guide Third Edition by David Anfinson and Ken Quamme. – CISCO Press, Pearson Education.
7. IT Essentials PC Hardware and Software Labs and Study Guide Third Edition by Patrick Regan – CISCO Press, Pearson Education.