Frequently Asked Questions

IT Essentials: PC Hardware and Software Version 4.1

Last updated June 14, 2010

Q. Wh a t to p ic s d o e s th e IT Es s e n tia ls : P C Ha rdwa re a nd S oftwa re v4.1 c u rric u lu m c o ve r?

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. Wh a t fe a tu re s a n d b e n e fits d o e s the IT Es s e n tia ls : P C Ha rdwa re a n d S o ftwa re v4.1 c u rric u lu m o ffe r?

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. Wh a t a re th e m a in e le m e n ts o f th e IT Es s e ntia ls : P C Ha rdwa re a n d S o ftwa re v4.1 c u rric u lu m ?
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

● Approximately 450 new assessment items

● 2 final exams and two skills-based assessments

● 60 new or updated hands-on labs

● 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.

© 2010 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. This document is Cisco Public Information. Page 1 of 5
 Q. Are th e re a n y p re re q u is ite s fo r s tu d e n ts to e n ro ll in th is c o u rs e ?
A. IT Essentials: PC Hardware and Software has no course prerequisites.

Q. Wh a t typ e s o f s tu d e n ts m a y b e in te re s te d in IT Es s e n tia ls : P C Ha rd wa re a n d S o ftwa re ?

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. Ca n th e IT Es s e n tia ls : P C Ha rdwa re a n d S o ftwa re v4.1 c ou rs e b e ta u g h t in a ble n de d c o m b in a tio n o f in -

p e rs o n a n d re m o te le a rn in g?
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. Wh a t a re th e e q u ip m e n t re q u ire m e n ts fo r IT Es s e n tia ls : P C Ha rdwa re a n d S o ftwa re 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. Will IT Es s e n tia ls : P C Ha rd wa re a n d So ftwa re v4.1 b e tra n s la te d fro m En glis h in to o th e r la n g u a g e s ?

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. Cisco’s goal is to support the
translation of IT Essentials: PC Hardware and Software v4.1 to the greatest extent possible to meet instructor
and student needs. Cisco plans to start translating the v4.1 course into Arabic, French, Russian, and Spanish
soon after the English versions are released.

Q. Wh a t Cis c o P re s s b o o ks s u p p o rt th e IT Es s e n tia ls : P C Ha rdwa re a n d S o ftwa re v4.1 c u rric u lu m a n d

wh e n will th e y b e a va ila b le ?
A. The Cisco Press course booklet and lab manual for the version 4.1 curriculum will be available March 31, 2010.
You can order these books through your Pearson sales rep or directly from www.ciscopress.com.

Q. Wh e n will th e IT Es s e n tia ls : P C Ha rdwa re a n d S o ftwa re v4.0 c o u rs e be re tire d ?

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)

Mile s ton e De fin ition Da te

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

© 2010 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. This document is Cisco Public Information. Page 2 of 5
 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

In s tru c to r Tra in in g
Q. Wh a t a re th e in s tru c to r tra in in g o p tion s a nd re q u ire m e n ts fo r te a c h in g IT Es s e n tia ls : P C Ha rdwa re a n d
S o ftwa re 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 in s tru c to r tra in in g re q u ire d fo r IT Es s e n tia ls : P C Ha rd wa re a n d S o ftwa re v4.0 in s tru c to rs to te a c h
ve rs io n 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. Wh a t re s o u rc e s a re a va ila b le to h e lp in s tru c to rs te a c h th e c u rric ulu m ?

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

Cis c o P a c ke t Tra c e r
Q. Do e s Cis c o P a c ke t Tra c e r s u p p o rt th e IT Es s e n tia ls : P C Ha rdwa re a n d S o ftwa re v4.1 c u rric u lu m ?
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. Wh e re c a n I fin d in fo rm a tio n o n h ow to us e P a c ke t Tra c e r with the IT Es s e n tia ls : P C Ha rdwa re a n d

S o ftwa re v4.1 c u rric u lu m ?
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, 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, then click Cisco Packet Tracer.
● The Networking Academy Instructor Webinar series includes Packet Tracer webinars that can be viewed
and downloaded

© 2010 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. This document is Cisco Public Information. Page 3 of 5
 Q. Ho w c a n I o b ta in P a c ke t Tra c e r?
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.

Ce rtific a tio n s
Q. Will IT Es s e n tia ls : P C Ha rd wa re a n d So ftwa re h e lp s tu de n ts p re p a re fo r th e 2009 Com p TIA A+
c e rtific a tio n ?
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. Do e s th e c e rtific a tio n e xa m in c lu d e ite m s o n Win d ows Vis ta ?
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
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.

Q. Wh a t re vis io n s h a ve b e e n m a d e to th e Co m p TIA A+ c e rtific a tio n e xa m s ?

A. The CompTIA A+ 220-701 and 220-702 certification exams are based on objectives developed in 2009. Topics
covered in these exams include laptops, security, and some soft skills. The following table lists the acronyms
and numbers of the retired and current exams, new exams appear in bold type:

Retired 600 series exams 700 series exams

A+ Essentials (220-601) A+ Essentials (220-701)

A+ Technician (220-602) A+ Practical Application (220-702)
Remote Support Technician (220-603) n/a
Depot Technician (220-604) n/a

Q. Wh e n will the 600-s e rie s A+ e xa m s b e re tire d ?

A. CompTIA retired the English 600 series exams on February 28, 2010. To provide additional time for
academies to transition to the v4.1 curricula that aligns with the new exams, we have partnered with CompTIA
to give Networking Academy students extended access to the English versions of the A+ 600-series exams
until August 31, 2010. For more information, see the CompTIA Voucher FAQ available on the Tools page on
Academy Connection.

© 2010 Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved. This document is Cisco Public Information. Page 4 of 5
 All translated versions of the A+ 600-series exams will remain available until August 31, 2010. No action is
required to access the translated exams. If you have questions regarding the CompTIA exam retirement dates,
please send an email to APlus@comptia.org.

© 2010 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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