Learning about Your Laptop
E115 Course Rationale and Practicum
Students are constantly using their computers, both in class or outside of it. Sometimes, bad things happen to good computers (and students), some of which you cannot control. A part may go bad, or the laptop is damaged in a way that only a skilled technician can repair. However, if you have a good handle on the way your computer works, you have a good shot at fixing problems yourself or preventing them from happening altogether.
Since 2005, E115: Introduction to Computing Environments, a required course for all COE students, has focused on students taking personal responsibility for their own computers, maintaining them, and interfacing effectively with campus resources. Much of the class focuses on ways to use college computing resources, and as the personal computer becomes the primary tool for accessing these resources, it becomes increasingly important that your computer works the way it's supposed to.
Our ITECS Help Desk reports that most problems with student laptops are software-related. For this reason, E115 instructors work with students to understand what precautionary measures they need to take to keep their laptop and software in good working order.
The "self-support" aspect of this class includes such topics as:
- making sure that important files are backed up
- installing and properly configuring antivirus and anti-spyware tools
- proper care when installing software you download
We're Still Here
Of course, we are always happy to provide assistance at the ITECS (Engineering) Help Desk and the campus Walk-In Center in the West Dunn Building. We can also assist if you have problems getting service from some vendors.
However, if you can fix basic problems on your own, you will experience less stress and computer downtime. You will come to feel that you control your computer rather than it controlling you.