CSC 225 Computer Hardware

WebQuest

Introduction

This WebQuest provides an opportunity to design a custom computer system on paper. It is a means to demonstrate the following:
  • Your understanding of computer hardware
  • Your ability to locate information on the web
  • Your technical writing ability
    and
  • Your creative thinking skills

Task

Your quest is to design a complete, custom built computer system while staying within a set dollar amount, in this case do not exceed $1,500. A complete system is just that - complete. All normal hardware and an operating system of some type is required, everything else is up to you. Your goal may be a low-cost system for web surfing at home, a powerful gaming PC, or maybe a digital photography computer. The choice is entirely yours.

The end product will be a technical report with all pertinent specifications for the system. In essence, you are submitting a proposal for a custom system. Anyone should be able to read your report, order from the suppliers and build the system you have designed. Your paper must contain the following items:

  • A brief description of the system with some of the important characteristics (like an ad).
  • A specification list containing components used, their cost, capabilities, and supplier name.
  • A list of suppliers with prices, shipping costs, and contact information.

Resources

The links below are provided for your convenience. Students are not limited to using only these sites, any site may be used that is deemed appropriate. The links are set to open a new browser window to allow for easier navigation. To return to the WebQuest page, simply close the newly opened window.


What Is
Tom's Hardware
Price Watch - A great site to search for low prices
Tiger Direct
NewEgg

Process

  1. Decide the category for the system - low-cost, medium-range or whatever.
    • Ensure you fully understand the differences in the system categories.
    • Review the resource pages.
    • Do not read each page in detail at this time.
    • Develop a short list of sites to revisit.
    • Scan through the links as quickly as possible during this step.

  2. Revisit each link that appeared to hold useful information.
    • Now is the time to read for content.
    • Bookmark or save the sites that hold the targeted data.

  3. Begin by building an outline for the report.
    • Select components that fit your category goal.
    • Compare the total costs involved.
    • Keep notes on your work.

  4. Write a rough draft based on the outline.
    • Brain-storm the ideas, don't pay close attention to the smoothness.
    • Go back and start to arrange the sentences for better flow.
    • Have someone proof-read the rough draft and offer suggestions.

  5. Produce a smooth final report.
    • Spell check and look for grammatical errors
    • Proof read! Do not rely solely on the spell checker.
    • Submit the report for grading.


***Please note: The cutting and pasting of information without giving credit as a resource/reference will be considered plagiarism.***

Evaluation

Good technical writing has many attributes. The content, flow, technical accuracy, and many other factors combine to provide quality to the publication.

Below is the rubric that will be used to judge your technical writing. I have selected five areas in which to grade the final report. Each area is worth an equal amount of value. Because there are five areas, each area is worth twenty percent of the final grade.

Points will be awarded for meeting the objectives in three areas, while the other two areas will cause points to be deducted for any errors.

Graded Areas Point Range Characteristics
1. Organization 0 - 20 Points Description, specification and supplier lists are included
2. Clear and Concise 0 - 20 Points The report is arranged for easy understanding
3. Alignment 0 - 20 Points The selected components matched the described system
4. Accuracy 20 - 0 Points Points are deducted for technical discrepancies
5. Grammar 20 - 0 Points Points are deducted for grammatical errors

Conclusion

The goal of this WebQuest was to allow for practical application of the knowledge you are gaining in the computer hardware class. It also provided an opportunity to demonstrate your ability to locate, organize, and report data discovered on the web. Your project could very well end up being an actual computer.



Disclaimer: The user is responsible for determining the accuracy of the information contained within. I have made an effort to provide valid information, but I cannot be held responsible for incorrect data. R. Poland