Unit of Competency Mapping – Information for Teachers/Assessors – Information for Learners

ICAICT303A Mapping and Delivery Guide
Connect internal hardware components

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency ICAICT303A - Connect internal hardware components
Description This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to modify and connect system hardware components according to client and user requirements.
Employability Skills This unit contains employability skills.
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit applies to support technicians who modify and connect system components. Ensuring the integrity of the system after the operation is critical in the context of minimising client disruption and need for continuing desktop operation.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.
Prerequisites/co-requisites Not applicable.
Competency Field
Development and validation strategy and guide for assessors and learners Student Learning Resources Handouts
Activities
Slides
PPT
Assessment 1 Assessment 2 Assessment 3 Assessment 4
Elements of Competency Performance Criteria              
Element: Identify, categorise and distinguish between the different types of internal hardware components
  • Identify and categorise the different internal hardware components
  • Explain the purpose and characteristics of the different internal hardware component categories
  • Distinguish between the different types of devices within each internal hardware component category
       
Element: Determine components required
  • Identify and clarify user internal hardware component requirements according to organisational guidelines
  • Organise and record user component requirements, pass on to appropriate person for evaluation and vendor selection
       
Element: Obtain components
  • Contact vendors to obtain technical specifications for the proposed components
  • Assess the options and provide recommendations to the appropriate person for final analysis
  • Obtain components to prepare for installation
       
Element: Install components
  • Develop plans, with prioritised tasks and contingency arrangements, for the installation of selected components with minimum disruption to clients
  • Liaise with appropriate person to obtain approval for the plans
  • Install and configure components according to plan, installation procedures and organisational requirements
  • Test components for error-free performance, using available technology
  • Identify and resolve identified problems
  • Test and enhance system performance, using knowledge of the system, to meet organisational benchmarks
  • Document the installation and configuration process according to organisation guidelines
       
Element: Evaluate modified system
  • Collect client or user feedback and analyse against client requirements
  • Correct identified shortcomings in the system and record actions
       


Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the ability to:

identify and categorise the different types of internal hardware components

modify system's hardware to meet client requirements

plan the modification and connect internal hardware components according to vendor and technical specifications

install components across a variety of situations and account for unexpected contingencies.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure access to:

personal computer and internal hardware components for installation

current industry standard performance testing software

documents detailing organisational guidelines and requirements

technical manuals and tools

appropriate learning and assessment support when required

modified equipment for people with special needs.

Note: The careful planning and promotion of hardware upgrades and changes are critical to the effective support of business functions. Hardware modifications need to be risk managed similar to other business processes. The effective management and execution of the component maintenance and replacement process may significantly determine the amount of downtime a company encounters.

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

verbal or written questioning to assess candidate’s knowledge of system diagnostic software and system functionality

direct observation of candidate connecting internal hardware components

evaluation of client requirements and candidate’s final recommendations

review of candidate’s written notes.

Note: Evidence for assessment from industry or vendor-certified training may be presented for the whole or part of this unit depending on the range of variables and performance criteria.

Guidance information for assessment

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, where appropriate.

Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate, and suitable to the communication skill level, language, literacy and numeracy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed.

Indigenous people and other people from a non-English speaking background may need additional support.

In cases where practical assessment is used it should be combined with targeted questioning to assess required knowledge.


Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assignment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)


Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Required skills

communication skills to:

consult with peers and supervisors, and internal and external clients

interpret technical computer installation manuals

interpret user manuals and help functions

literacy skills to:

organise resources for one-to-one instruction

plan, prioritise and organise work

write technical reports and maintain records

planning and organisational skills to address technical issues

problem-solving skills to anticipate and respond to a range of driver-related errors that may arise

technical skills to:

comprehend how the operating system will communicate with the installed component

install components

test components using available technology

test system performance.

Required knowledge

areas of the operating system relevant to configuration and testing

current industry-accepted hardware and software products

environmental considerations in e-waste disposal

organisational guidelines and organisational requirements with regard to safety, recycling and component installation

system's diagnostic software and current functionality

vendor specifications and requirements for component installation.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Internal hardware components may include:

adapter card components:

communications:

modem

network interface card (NIC)

I/O:

parallel

small computer system interface (SCSI)

serial

universal serial bus (USB)

multimedia:

capture cards

sound card

TV tuner cards

video:

AGP

peripheral component interconnect (PCI)

PCIe

cooling system components:

CPU and case fans

heat sinks

liquid cooling systems

thermal compound

CPU components and features:

32 bit versus 64 bit

hyper threading

identify CPU types:

AMD

Intel

multi-core:

dual core

quad core

triple core

onchip cache:

L1

L2

speed (real versus actual)

display device components:

connector types:

component or RGB

DVI pin compatibility

HDMi

S-Video

VGA

LCD technologies:

contrast ratio

native resolution

resolution (e.g. XGA, SXGA+, UXGA, WUXGA)

projectors, CRT and LCD

settings:

degauss

multi-monitor

refresh rate

resolution

memory components and features:

ECC versus non-ECC

parity versus non-parity

single channel versus dual channel

single sided versus double-sided

speed:

PC100

PC133

PC2700

PC3200

DDR3-1600

DDR2-667

types:

DRAM

SRAM

SDRAM

DDR or DDR2 or DDR3

RAMBUS

motherboard components:

basic input/output system (BIOS), complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) or Firmware:

CMOS battery

POST

bus architecture

bus slots:

AGP

AMR

CNR

PCI

PCIe

Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA)

chipsets

contrast RAID (levels 0, 1, 5)

form factor:

ATX or BTX

micro ATX

NLX

I/O interfaces:

IEEE 1394 or Firewire

modem

NIC

parallel

PS/2

serial

sound

USB 1.1 and 2.0

video

memory slots:

DIMM

RIMM

SIMM

SODIMM

parallel advanced technology attachment (PATA):

EIDE

IDE

processor sockets

riser card or daughterboard

serial advanced technology attachment (SATA)

eSATA

power supply components:

AC adapter

ATX proprietary

pins (20, 24)

voltage selector switch

voltage, wattage and capacity

storage devices and backup media components:

floppy disk drive (FDD)

hard disk drive (HDD): solid state versus magnetic

optical drives, such as CD, DVD, RW or blu-ray

removable storage:

external CD-RW and hard drive

hot swappable devices and non-hot swappable devices

solid state (e.g. thumb drive, flash, SD cards, USB)

tape drive.

Organisational guidelines may include:

communication methods

content of emails

dispute resolution

document procedures and templates

downloading information and accessing particular websites

financial control mechanisms

opening mail with attachments

personal use of emails and internet access

virus risk.

Appropriate person may include:

authorised business representative

client

supervisor.

Clients may include:

department within the organisation

person within a department

third party.

Organisational requirements may include:

how and what the organisation wants in regard to work environment

preventative maintenance and diagnostic policy

problem solution processes

roles and technical responsibilities in the IT department

vendor and product service level support agreements.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Identify and categorise the different internal hardware components 
Explain the purpose and characteristics of the different internal hardware component categories 
Distinguish between the different types of devices within each internal hardware component category 
Identify and clarify user internal hardware component requirements according to organisational guidelines 
Organise and record user component requirements, pass on to appropriate person for evaluation and vendor selection 
Contact vendors to obtain technical specifications for the proposed components 
Assess the options and provide recommendations to the appropriate person for final analysis 
Obtain components to prepare for installation 
Develop plans, with prioritised tasks and contingency arrangements, for the installation of selected components with minimum disruption to clients 
Liaise with appropriate person to obtain approval for the plans 
Install and configure components according to plan, installation procedures and organisational requirements 
Test components for error-free performance, using available technology 
Identify and resolve identified problems 
Test and enhance system performance, using knowledge of the system, to meet organisational benchmarks 
Document the installation and configuration process according to organisation guidelines 
Collect client or user feedback and analyse against client requirements 
Correct identified shortcomings in the system and record actions 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

ICAICT303A - Connect internal hardware components
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:


Assessment Record Sheet

ICAICT303A - Connect internal hardware components

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: