Advanced Topics
Frequently asked questions and instructor notes
Topic A: Classroom setup
All our courses assume that each student has a personal computer to use during the class. Our hands-on approach to learning requires that they do. This topic gives information on how to set up the classroom to teach this course.
Hardware requirements
Each student’s personal computer, and the Instructor’s computer, should have:
· A processor 1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster, with support for PAE, NX, and SSE2
· 1 GB RAM for 32-bit; 2 GB RAM for 64-bit
· Hard-disk space: 16 GB for 32-bit; 20 GB for 64-bit
· Microsoft DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM driver
· Monitor set to at least 1024´768
A variety of Windows 8-compatible devices for use in the unit titled “Devices.”
Software requirements
You will need the following software:
· Windows 8 Pro
Network requirements
The following network components and connectivity are also required for this course:
· Internet access, for the following purposes:
– Downloading the latest critical updates and service packs
– Completing activities throughout the course
· A network printer to complete an activity in the unit titled “Devices.”
Classroom setup instructions
Before you teach this course, you will need to perform the following steps to set up each student computer and a computer for the instructor.
1 Install Windows 8 according to the software publisher’s instructions.
a Select the language, time and currency format, and keyboard or input method.
b Install Windows on at least a 25 GB partition.
c Name the PC COMPUTERXX, where XX is a unique number that will be assigned to each student workstation. So, for example, COMPUTER01, COMPUTER02, and so on. Use COMPUTER00 for the Instructor computer.
d On the Setting page, click Customize.
– Click “Yes, turn on sharing and connect to devices.”
– Under Windows Update, select “Don’t set up Windows Update.” Students will do this during class. Also, under “Help protect your privacy and your PC,” turn off Windows SmartScreen Filters. Click Next.
– Click Next to leave the defaults on the “Send Microsoft info…” page.
– Click Next again.
e On the “Sign in to your PC page,” click “Sign in without a Microsoft account.”
f Click Local account. For each student computer, enter a user name of USERXX, where XX is the unique number assigned to that workstation. So, for example, on COMPUTER01 you’d create USER01, and so on. Use a password of !pass1234. In the password hint, type classroom default.
g Click Finish.
2 ONLY ON THE INSTRUCTOR COMPUTER: Create a HomeGroup.
a Open Control Panel. Under Network and Internet, click “Choose homegroup and sharing options.”
b Click “Create a homegroup.”
c Click Next.
d Click Next to accept the default shared items.
e Write down the HomeGroup password for the instructor. He or she will need it during class. Click Finish.
3 ONLY ON THE INSTRUCTOR COMPUTER: Create and share a folder named C:\File backups.
4 Assemble any Windows 8-compatible devices for the activities in the unit titled “Devices.”
5 Ensure that the network printer required in the unit titled “Devices” is installed and ready.
Topic B: Frequently asked questions
There are no frequently asked questions for this course at this time.
Topic C: Course notes
There are no notes for this course at this time.
Topic D: Additional information
There is no additional information for this course at this time.