compTIA A+ Course

Program Overview 

This course will teach students to Interact with computers, obtain information, make decision and solve problems.  They will also learn to update and use relevant knowledge, communicate with supervisors, peers or subordinates, process information, analyze data and information and establish and maintain interpersonal relationships.    Students will also learn to organize, plan and prioritize work, configure security settings or access permissions for groups or individuals, determine reliability of hardware or software, accurately communicate technical information and consult with customers concerning their needs.  Following is an outline of the courses:  

CST 1 – Install, configure, optimize and upgrade personal computer components

These sessions cover adding, removing and configuring personal computer components, including selection and installation of specific computer components

CST 2 – Identify tools, diagnostic procedures and troubleshooting techniques.

These sessions will cover identifying and applying basic diagnostic procedures and troubleshooting techniques.  Recognizing and isolating issues with peripherals, multimedia, specialty input devices, internal and external storage and CPUs; identifying the steps used to troubleshoot components (e.g., check proper seating, installation, appropriate components, settings and current driver) and recognize names, purposes, characteristics and appropriate applications of  tools.

CST 3 – Perform Preventive Maintenance of Personal Computers

These sessions will cover Identifying and applying common preventative maintenance techniques for personal computer components

CST 4 – Identify Fundamental Principles of Using Laptops and Portable Devices

Students will identify appropriate applications for laptop-specific communications including Bluetooth, Infrared, Cellular, WAN and Ethernet

CST 5 – Install, Configure, Optimize and Upgrade Laptops and Portable Devices

Students will remove laptop-specific hardware such as peripherals, hot-swappable and non-hot-swappable devices and describe how video sharing affects memory upgrades

CST 6 – Use Tools, Diagnostic Procedures and Troubleshooting Techniques for Laptops and Portable Devices

Students will demonstrate procedures and techniques to diagnose power conditions, video, keyboard, pointer and wireless card issues.

CST 7 – Identify the Fundamental Principles of Operating Systems

Students will use command-line functions and utilities to manage operating systems, including proper syntax and switches Identify concepts and procedures for creating, viewing and managing disks, directories and files on operating systems; locate and use operating system utilities and available switches and demonstrate file management tools.

CST 8 – Install, Configure, Optimize and Upgrade Operating Systems

Students will identify procedures and utilities used to optimize operating systems.

CST 9 – Identify Tools, Diagnostic Procedures and Troubleshooting Techniques for Operating Systems

Students will demonstrate the ability to recover operating systems (e.g. boot methods, recovery console, ASR, ERD; Recognize and resolve common operational problems; Recognize and resolve common error messages and codes; Use Diagnostic utilities and tools to resolve operational problems.

CST 10 – Perform Preventive Maintenance for Operating Systems

Students will demonstrate the ability to perform preventive maintenance on operating systems including software and Windows Updates, schedule back-ups/restore and restore points.

CST 11 – Identify the Fundamental Principles of Using Printers and Scanners

Students will describe processes used by printers and scanners including laser, ink dispersion, thermal, solid ink and impact printers and scanners.

CST 12 – Install, Configure, Optimize and Upgrade Printers and Scanners

Students will demonstrate how to install and configure printers/scanners; install and configure printer upgrades including memory and firmware and optimize scanner performance including resolution, File format and default settings.

CST 13 – Identify Tools and Diagnostic Procedures to Troubleshooting printers and Scanners

Students will gather information about printer/scanner problems; review and analyze collected data; isolate and resolve identified printer/scanner problems, define the cause, apply the fix and verify functionality; identify appropriate tools used for troubleshooting and repairing/printer scanner problems.

CST 14 – Perform Preventive Maintenance of Printers and Scanners

Students will perform scheduled maintenance according to vendor guidelines; ensure a suitable environment and use recommended supplies.

CST 15 – Identify the Fundamental Principles of Networks

Students will identify names, purposes and characteristics of basis network protocols and terminologies and identify names, purposes and characteristics of technologies for establishing connectivity.

CST 16 – Install, Configure, Optimize and Upgrade Networks

Students will perform installation and configuration of browsers; establish network connectivity and demonstrate the ability to share network resources.

CST 17 – Use Tools and Diagnostic Procedures to Troubleshoot Network Problems

Students will identify names, purposes and characteristics of tools and diagnose and troubleshoot basic network issues.

CST 18 – Perform preventive maintenance of networks including securing and protecting network cabling

CST 19 – Identify the fundamentals and principles of Security

Students will identify the proposes and characteristics of access control and identify the purposes and characteristics of auditing and event logging.

CST 20 – Install, Configure, Upgrade and Optimize Security

Students will install and configure software, wireless and data security.

CST 21 – Identify Tool, Diagnostic Procedures and Troubleshooting Techniques for Security

Students will diagnose and troubleshoot software and data security issues.

CST 22 – Perform Preventive Maintenance for Security

Students will demonstrate that they recognize social engineering and address social engineering situations.

CST 23 – Students will identify potential hazards and proper safety procedures including power supply, display devices and environment.

CST 24 – Importance of Effective Communication

Students will learn good communication skills including listening and tact/discretion with communicating with customers and colleagues.

CST 25 –Job Related Professional Behavior

Students will be taught job-related professional behavior including notation of privacy, confidentiality and respect for the customer and the customers’ property.  Behavior will focus on maintaining a positive attitude and tone of voice; avoiding arguing with customers and/or becoming defensive and not to minimize customer’s problems.