I think having an increased knowledge of hardware components will definitely make me a better computer user. This is especially true when it comes to troubleshooting. There have been several times during my adult life when I have had problems arise with my computer and I was without it for weeks or months while someone else tried to fix it. I am now convinced that a lot of time could have been saved if I had known a little more about what was going on with my hardware components. I didn't even have a clue about most of the terms the tech support guy was using when I talked to him, and I could have skipped at least two of his visits if I had known a little more about what was going on "under the hood" of my computer. I didn't feel comfortable opening the tower when I was asked to by the technician, much less knowing what I was looking at when I did open it. I feel like I will now be much more prepared if I have problems in the future.
Another way that increased knowledge of my hardware components makes me a better computer user is in my profession. I do a lot of technology projects with my students, and am always frustrated when something goes wrong, or when I can't figure out how to make something work with my project the way I want it to. The knowledge I gain from this class will definitely help me be a better teacher of technology, because I will know why things work the way they do, and therefore be of more assistance to my students on a daily basis.
"if I had known"
ReplyDeleteThat is very true. I can't tell you how many times people have been taken advantage of because they were unfamiliar with the hardware of a computer. That is a great observation.
Andi, I complete understand the part about troubleshooting. Now you can feel like you know something when you are communicating to the "hardware" techies. Don't you feel that there are individuals who are the hardware techs and there are application techs. Personally, I love being an applications tech, but knowing a little about hardware makes individuals a well rounded technology individual.
ReplyDeleteMary, I never thought about the difference between an application tech and a hardware tech. I guess I would describe myself as a application tech as well, but Andy, you're right when you talk about being able to talk to the hardware tech about something intelligently. Kind of empowers you!
ReplyDeleteYes, Mary, I definitely think there are hardware techs and applications techs. I used to be only an application tech, but I'm starting to feel more confident about the hardware as well, thanks to these classes!
ReplyDeleteAndi-you are SO right on this! It is like buying a product before you are sure about the price or before you have done research and compared products, prices, specifics, etc. I always feel like I am "ignorant" when it comes to anything very specific about computer soft wear or computer programs! I would love to be able to computer-price shop if I had the knowledge and ability to differentiate what I should want vs what I need.
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