Discussion Questions

Part 1:

One of the first things you've done this week is to access TestOut web-based training material using an access code and you followed directions to log in to TestOut from Blackboard. This is a common method companies use for selling access to their products on the Internet. Downloading products or controlling access to Web resources is a cost-effective way of doing business.

1. In a few sentences, reflect on how you would help someone in the business setting who has called you in the IT department for help. Imagine you're in a support role at a company where employees need to enter a code just as you did. Based upon your experience getting started with Testout or similar applications, what types of issues might employees have when installing the code, and what could you do to troubleshoot those issues?

2. When you get started with your labs this week, return to the discussion and interact with your classmates who have commented on your post above, and post your reaction to what a couple of classmates have posted. Remember to get in early and post often!

3. Additional post option: How does your interaction with your instructor here in this class compare to how employees in a business would interact with the IT department in which you will work? Remember, you're going to be the technical expert when you graduate!

Part 2:

One of the main topics for this week is professional communications. In the business world, this means email, technical writing, memos, and so on. Computer professionals must quickly disseminate internal information to employees about software and hardware issues that affect the organization, but may also have to craft documents that would go out to the company's customers.

1. Search the internet for an article about how a company has notified customers about an issue that may have affected the customers. In a few sentences, discuss how you feel this may have sounded differently in an internal email. Is there anything that may have been the same? Post the link to the article with your comments about the article so your classmates can read more about it if they want to.

2. Remember to get in early in the week to do your TestOut labs each week. Return to this discussion and read some of your classmates' posts. Post a reaction to classmates who have interesting posts.

3. Additional post option: You learned about grounding and proper grounding techniques this week. Have you ever talked with someone who has received an electric shock? Have you? Share your experiences with your classmates if you know something that may help them.