Expansion Card Slots :: Curriculum

Computer Technology & Repair Model

Units:

Expansion Card Slots

Part of Unit: Personal Computers and Components

Lesson Plan Overview / Details

Many of today's computers come with motherboards that already have many “built-in” audio, video and network cards. As we all learn, within a few years they just don’t do the job any more. If you either wish to add a new feature or ability to your computer or extend its functionality, one solution might be to add one or more expansion cards. This lesson is design to explain the "need to know"'s about expansion card slots.

Lesson Time

Lesson: 50 Minutes

Standards

California Career and Technical Education Standards

California Academic Content Standards (Reinforced)

ELA.9-10.R.CAGT.2.6 Demonstrate use of sophisticated learning tools by following technical direction...2

Objectives and Goals

Students will be able to identify and name the most common expansion slots in a computer.
Students will understand the bus width and transfer rate of the most common expansion slots.
Students will be able to install and remove peripheral cards from expansion slots.

Activities in this Lesson

Expansion Slots Introduction Video - Hooks / Set
Show this video while taking attendance. It is a good overview of the most common expansion slots in computers today.
- Expansion Slots Description Video [ Watch Video ] [ Download Original Video ] 3:05 minute video explaining expansion slots
View PowerPoint Show - Lecture
Lecture about what expansion slots are and how they are used to add functionality to a computer by allowing peripherals to be added and/or upgraded. Use the slideshow to prompt the discussion. When you start the slideshow, the title slide is animated and will advance to the 2nd slide automatically. From that point on, you will need to click the left mouse button to move through the items on the slide and advance to the next slide. This will allow you to pause and talk about each of the bullet points on each slide. There are only 5 slides in the slideshow.
- Expansion slots 10 [ Download ] Expansion slots slideshow for PowerPoint 2010
- Expansion slots 03 [ Download ] Expansion slots slideshow for PowerPoint 2003
- Understanding Expansion Slots [ Watch Video ] [ Download Original Video ] 3:24 minute video explaining expansion slots.
Discussion about expansion slots - Guided Practice
NOTE TO TEACHER:

Download the document and print out copies for yourself and your students. Lead a reading/discussion about the different types of expansion ports. Either summarize the information from the document, or chose random students each to read a paragraph about a type of expansion slot.
- Computer Expansion Slots Text [ Download ] Document for reading/discussion about expansion ports
Install peripherals - Independent Practice
Pass out a few motherboards and peripheral cards for students to identify the different types of slots and to practice inserting the cards. Give them a variety of cards, including some that are incompatible . Roam around and check their ability. Look for them to wear the anti-static strap. Reinforce the proper method of handling, inserting and removing cards.

Assessment Types:: Teacher-Made Test,

Download and print copies of this document and pass out to the students after reading/discussing expansion slots. You can put the PowerPoint presentation back on the screen to loop as a guide for the students as they fill out the worksheet.