Student-Owned Computing: Learning About Your Laptop

E115 Course Rationale and Practicum

Students are constantly using their computers: both in and out of class. Sometimes bad things happen to good computers (and students), some of which you cannot control. A part may go bad, or the laptop may be 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 is the primary tool for accessing these resources, it is crucial that your computer works the way it’s supposed to.

Most issues that students bring to the ITECS Service Desk 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
• following proper procedures when choosing and installing software

We Still Provide Help

Of course, we are always happy to provide assistance at the ITECS (Engineering) Service Desks and the campus Walk-In Center located in the West Dunn Building. We can also provide assistance if you have problems getting service from some manufacturers.

However, if you are able to troubleshoot and fix basic problems on your own, you will experience less stress and computer downtime. You will come to feel that you truly control your computer, rather than vice versa.