Frequently Asked Questions

IT Essentials: PC Hardware and Software Version 4.1

Last updated March 9, 2011

Q. What topics does the IT Essentials: PC Hardware and Software v4.1 curriculum cover?
A. The Cisco® Networking Academy® IT Essentials: PC Hardware and Software curriculum provides an
introduction to the computer hardware and software skills needed to help meet the growing demand for entry-
level information and communication technology (ICT) professionals. The curriculum covers the fundamentals
of PC technology, networking, and security, and also provides an introduction to advanced concepts.

Students who complete this course will be able to describe the internal components of a computer, assemble a
computer system, install an operating system, and troubleshoot using system tools and diagnostic software. IT
Essentials: PC Hardware and Software is a hands-on, career-oriented e-learning solution with an emphasis on
practical experience to help students develop fundamental computer skills, along with essential career skills.

Q. What features and benefits does the IT Essentials: PC Hardware and Software v4.1 curriculum offer?
A. IT Essentials: PC Hardware and Software provides a comprehensive introduction to the ICT industry and
interactive, hands-on exposure to personal computers, hardware, software, and operating systems. The
curriculum offers the following features and benefits:

● Students develop working knowledge of how computers operate, how to assemble computers, and how to
troubleshoot hardware and software issues
● Hands-on labs and Virtual Laptop and Virtual Desktop learning tools help students develop critical thinking
and complex problem-solving skills
● The course emphasizes the practical application of skills and procedures needed to install, upgrade, and
troubleshoot hardware and software
● Cisco Packet Tracer simulation-based learning activities promote the exploration of networking security
concepts and allow students to experiment with network behavior
● Interactive assessments provide immediate feedback to support the evaluation of knowledge and acquired
skills
Q. What are the main elements of the IT Essentials: PC Hardware and Software v4.1 curriculum?
A. The IT Essentials: PC Hardware and Software v4.1 curriculum consists of the following:

● Two sections covering fundamentals and advanced concepts

● 16 chapters and chapter exams

● Windows 7 supplement document

● Approximately 450 new assessment items

● 2 final exams, 1 skills-based assessment, 1 Windows 7 exam

● New or updated hands-on labs, including 30 new labs created using Windows 7

● 5 new Cisco Packet Tracer activities

● Virtual Laptop and Virtual Desktop learning tools

Course labs and Packet Tracer activities are provided as separate .zip files that can be downloaded from
Academy Connection.

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 Q. Are there any prerequisites for students to enroll in this course?
A. IT Essentials: PC Hardware and Software has no course prerequisites.
Q. What types of students may be interested in IT Essentials: PC Hardware and Software?
A. IT Essentials: PC Hardware and Software is designed for Networking Academy students who want to pursue
careers in ICT and students who want to gain practical knowledge of how computers work, including:

 Students seeking career-oriented, entry-level hardware and software skills to prepare for careers in ICT

 Students who want to gain skills and working knowledge of how computers work, how to assemble
computers, and how to troubleshoot hardware and software issues

 Students at many education levels and types of institutions, including high schools, secondary schools,
universities, colleges, career and technical schools, community organizations, and other non-traditional
learning environments
®
In addition, the course provides a learning pathway to the Cisco CCNA Discovery and CCNA Exploration
curricula.

Q. Can the IT Essentials: PC Hardware and Software v4.1 course be taught in a blended combination of in-
person and remote learning?
A. Yes, the IT Essentials: PC Hardware and Software v4.1 course is designed to be offered in a blended distance
learning environment. The Academy Connection business rules will allow teaching classes in both in-person
and blended delivery formats.

Q. What are the equipment requirements for IT Essentials: PC Hardware and Software v4.1?
A. The equipment requirements for IT Essentials: PC Hardware and Software v41 are the same as those for v4.0.
To access the complete equipment list, log in to Academy Connection and click Library, select Equipment
Information, then select the Lab Equipment List page.

Q. Are the Windows Vista and Windows 7 labs required?

A. The Windows Vista and Windows 7 labs include information covered in the CompTIA A+ certification and IT
Essentials course chapter and final exams. These labs must be completed to prepare for the certification and
course chapter and final exams. If the class does not have access to the Windows Vista or Windows 7
operating systems and compatible computer equipment, students must complete the labs using the provided
screenshots.

Q. What course content is available that covers Windows 7?

A. A supplemental Windows 7 PDF document can be found on the instructor and student class home page. This
document includes new content and screenshots related to Windows 7. A Windows 7 exam is available for
instructors who wish to test students on the Windows 7 content. A Windows 7 lab zip file can also be found on
the Instructor Class Home page. On the Tools page, the instructor and student lab manuals will be updated
with the Windows 7 labs.

Q. Will IT Essentials: PC Hardware and Software v4.1 be translated from English into other languages?
A. Translated curricula, including course content, the user interface, and assessments, are a major part of the
Networking Academy program’s growth strategy and global sustainability efforts. IT Essentials: PC Hardware
and Software v4.1 is currently available in Arabic, French, Russian, and Spanish.

Q. Will the IT Essentials: PC Hardware and Software v4.1 Windows 7 materials be translated from English
into other languages?
A. The Windows 7 materials will be made available in French. The supplemental Windows 7 PDF document will
be available in French in March 2011. Translation of the Windows 7 exam and lab materials to French is
planned.

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 Q. What Cisco Press books support the IT Essentials: PC Hardware and Software v4.1 curriculum, and
Windows 7 updates, and when will they be available?
A. The Cisco Press Companion Guide, Course Booklet and Lab Manual for the version 4.1 curriculum are
currently available.. You can order these books through your Pearson sales rep or directly from
www.ciscopress.com. The Windows 7 Supplemental PDF is currently available to download from
www.ciscopress.com/itessentials. The Windows 7 lab material will also be available from that link. The Course
Booklet and Lab Manual will be reprinted to include the Windows 7 content by September 2011.

Q. When will the IT Essentials: PC Hardware and Software v4.0 course be retired?
A. The English version of IT Essentials: PC Hardware and Software v4.0 will be available for one year after the
release of the new course. Academies are encouraged to adopt version 4.1, which aligns with the CompTIA A+
700 series certification exams that CompTIA released on August 7, 2009.

The IT Essentials: PC Hardware and Software v4.0 curriculum will follow the standard end-of-life process. The
end-of-life dates for the English v4.0 curriculum are as follows:

Table 1. End-of-Life Milestones and Dates for ITE: PC Hardware and Software v4.0 (English Version)

Milestone Definition Date

End of Offering Last date to create new instructor and student classes 31-MAR-2010

End of Support Last date to receive Support Desk support 31-MAR-2011

End of Availability Last date to access all content on Academy Connection 31-MAR-2011

Instructor Training
Q. What are the instructor training options and requirements for teaching IT Essentials: PC Hardware and
Software v4.1?
A. All new instructors are expected to complete instructor training in one of the following formats:

● In person training, approximately 40 classroom hours

● Fast Track option (available for new instructors with prior subject matter knowledge)
◦ CompTIA A+ certification, formal evidence of industry experience, or formal evidence of IT teaching
experience required
● Instructors may enroll in the Fast Track option through the Support Desk. To qualify, instructors must
complete the following requirements in a proctored environment:
◦ Final online exam
◦ Skills-based assessment
◦ Case study
Q. Is instructor training required for IT Essentials: PC Hardware and Software v4.0 instructors to teach
version 4.1?
A. No, instructor training is not required for version 4.0 instructors. However, instructors should become familiar
with Cisco Packet Tracer, since Packet Tracer activities are included in the 4.1 version of the course.

Q. What resources are available to help instructors teach the curriculum?

A. Several instructor resources and support materials are available on Academy Connection, including instructor
reference guides, PowerPoint presentations, lab materials, and activities.

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 Cisco Packet Tracer
Q. Does Cisco Packet Tracer support the IT Essentials: PC Hardware and Software v4.1 curriculum?
A. Yes, Cisco Packet Tracer activities are included as part of the IT Essentials: PC Hardware and Software v4.1
curriculum to help students learn and practice concepts introduced in the fundamental and advanced chapters.
The Packet Tracer activities were designed for use with Packet Tracer version 5.2 and above. The inclusion of
Packet Tracer activities provides learning experiences that align with the new CompTIA A+ certification
objectives without requiring academies to purchase extra networking equipment.

Q. Where can I find information on how to use Packet Tracer with the IT Essentials: PC Hardware and
Software v4.1 curriculum?
A. The following resources are available on Academy Connection for instructors who would like to become more
familiar with Packet Tracer:

● To access a short video, data sheet and presentation on using Packet Tracer with the IT Essentials
curriculum, visit the Library section, select Instructor Resources, and then click IT Essentials.
● The Packet Tracer resource page has FAQs, an overview presentation, videos, software downloads,
tutorials, and more.
● To access Packet Tracer Interactive Course Guides (ICGs) and related training materials, visit the Library
section, select Instructor Resources, and then click Cisco Packet Tracer.
● The Networking Academy Instructor Webinar series includes Packet Tracer webinars that can be viewed
and downloaded

Q. How can I obtain Packet Tracer?

A. Packet Tracer is available free of charge to all Cisco Networking Academy instructors, students, and alumni.
The software can be downloaded from the Packet Tracer resource page on Academy Connection. To access
this page, log in to Academy Connection and click the Cisco Packet Tracer graphic on the left, then select the
appropriate download package for your needs.

Certifications
Q. Will IT Essentials: PC Hardware and Software help students prepare for the 2009 CompTIA A+
certification?
A. Yes, as a CompTIA Authorized Quality Curriculum, IT Essentials: PC Hardware and Software v4.1 helps
students prepare for the 2009 CompTIA A+ certification (www.comptia.org).

The fundamentals part of the course, chapters 1–10, helps students prepare for the CompTIA A+ Essentials
exam (220-701), which covers the fundamentals of computer technology, networking, and security, and
validates the communication skills and professionalism required of all entry-level IT professionals.

The advanced part of the course, chapters 11–16, helps students prepare for the CompTIA A+ Practical
Application exam (220-702), which builds on the CompTIA A+ Essentials knowledge and skills, with more of a
hands-on orientation and scenarios in which troubleshooting and tools must be applied to resolve problems.
Students must pass both exams to earn the CompTIA A+ certification.
This course also aligns with the objectives in the first two modules of the European Certification of Informatics
Professionals (EUCIP) IT Administrator certification (www.eucip.org): Module 1 PC Hardware, and Module 2
Operating Systems.

Q. Does the certification exam include items on Windows Vista?

A. The Windows Vista labs include information covered in the CompTIA A+ certification and IT Essentials course
chapter and final exams. These labs must be completed to prepare for the certification and course chapter and

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 final exams. If the class does not have access to the Windows Vista operating system and compatible
computer equipment, students must complete the labs using the provided screenshots

© 2011 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. Cisco, the Cisco logo, Cisco Systems, CCNA, CCNP, and Networking Academy are registered trademarks or trademarks of
Cisco Systems, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the United States and certain other countries. All other trademarks mentioned in this document are the property of their respective
owners. The use of the word partner does not imply a partnership relationship between Cisco and any other company. (1001R)
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