Tech Directions - November 2007 - (Page 23)

A Peer-Reviewed Article Project Teaches Students to Diagnose an Ailing Windows OS By Baijian Yang byang@bsu.ed T ROUBLESHOOTING a corrupted Windows operating system (OS) is a must-learn experience for computer technology students. To teach OS troubleshooting, the simplest approach involves introducing the available tools followed by the “how-to’s.” But how do you teach students to apply their knowledge in real-life scenarios and help them improve their troubleshooting skills? Over four years of teaching the subject, I have devel- Error message of missing Windows boot file: NTLDR oped an effective classroom project that can help students link the different learning modules together and enhance their learning experiences. The assumption here is that when it comes to troubleshooting an OS, the more you diagnose, the more you will learn. Ideally, you can train the students at PC help desks, but it may take students months to observe a good variety of failed OS symptoms. And that setting, of course, does not apply to the classroom learning environment. Instead of waiting for different problems to occur, a more effective approach calls for having students actively create problems then fix them. Project Background Error message of corrupted registry database Before introducing the project, students should learn the common causes of a corrupted Windows OS: ● System files needed to locate and load the Windows OS are corrupted or missing. These files are Baijian Yang is assistant professor, Department of Industry and Technology, Ball State University, Muncie, IN. www.techdirections.com COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY 23 http://www.techdirections.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Tech Directions - November 2007

Tech Directions - November 2007 Technically Speaking Contents Direct from Washington The News Report Technology’s Past Technology Today Mastering Computers Video Game Programmers Learn to “Pitch” Project Teaches Students to Diagnose an Ailing Windows OS See the Math with Your Binoculars! Fire Safety Technician ACTE Convention and Career Tech Expo Hands-On Activities More than Fun

Tech Directions - November 2007

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