Designing an Authentic Learning Experience for Information Technology Students: A Real-World Approach
An authentic learning experience can help students connect what they learn in class (theory) with what they do in real life (practice). An authentic learning experience in an Information Technology course should mirror real-world challenges faced by professionals in this field. The learning experience helps the students to make sense of the basic concepts as well as apply them to their jobs: Designing an Authentic Learning Experience for Information Technology Students: A Real-World Approach.
This [paper describes how to design learning tasks according to the objectives of an introductory IT course in detail. In particular, the focus will be on Unit 1: Foundations of Computer Systems and Unit 2: Networking, Cybersecurity and Data Management. It outlines how to design real-life scenarios that are both relevant and engaging for students.
Designing an Authentic Learning Experience
An authentic learning experience must connect the real-world applications of IT with the theoretical understanding students are acquiring. In creating effective learning experiences, the nature of the key tasks of that experience must directly map to one or more of the learning objectives for the course and be designed conducive to application and critical thinking.
Real-World Scenario for Unit 1: Foundations of Computer Systems
Unit 1’s case study involves a simulation IT fault-finding task for a company that is experiencing systems failure. Students will take the role of IT support technicians who will diagnose faults and fix problems with hardware, software and OS.
Scenario:
XYZ Enterprises, a mid-size firm, faces the issue of a slow system and crashing software. The IT support team’s job is to identify the configuration of hardware and software involved in the malfunction, troubleshoot the system and recommend solutions. Every department in the company depends on stable and smooth IT systems to carry on with their functionality. If the system continues to be inefficient, there will be a loss in productivity and delay in business and customer dissatisfaction.
Activity Instructions:
- Begin by reviewing the company’s current hardware setup, including the central processing unit (CPU), memory, storage devices, and input/output devices. Identify the low-performance components of the system and explain how each of these is connected to system low-performance.
- Analyze the operating system in use at XYZ Enterprises. Evaluate how it manages its resources and whether there are any system software or application software problems that are causing the slowdowns.
- Propose basic troubleshooting strategies to address the system failures. Talk about the possible software and hardware solutions like modifying hardware or reinstalling one.
- Create a report summarizing your findings and providing recommendations for improvements. Whenever possible, supply real-world examples of enterprise level troubleshooting techniques that would be used in a business environment.
Learning Resources for Unit 1
- Students should have access to a virtual computer lab or simulated IT systems which allows them to identify hardware and software.
- Troubleshooting guides and articles on operating system management and performance optimization (Freund, 2014).
- Video help on hardware installing and setting things up (Rainer et al., 2020).
- IT support tools and simulation software used to diagnose frequent computer issues.
Real-World Scenario for Unit 2: Networking, Cybersecurity, and Data Management
In Unit 2, the Authentic Learning Experience involves designing a secure and efficient IT infrastructure for a small business. This practical scenario focuses on essential skills all IT professionals should have. A group of students must set up a secure network and data protection practice as a team.
Scenario:
ABC Tech Solutions is a small software development business that will set up IT infrastructure securely. Due to recent security breaches, the company’s sensitive customer data was compromised. Your team needs to develop a secure network, identify cybersecurity threats and develop the data management process for the company.
Activity Instructions:
- Start by evaluating the company’s current network setup. Find weaknesses that could create major security threats. Make an improved network design that adds firewalls, antivirus and secure communication protocols.
- Examine the types of cybersecurity threats that ABC Tech Solutions might face. Examples of such cyber attacks include phishing, malware, ransomware, etc. Explain ways to stop and lower these threats, mentioning encryption and multi-factor authentication.
- Design a data management strategy that addresses the company’s data storage, retrieval, and backup needs. Importance of data integrity and confidentiality in business operations.
- Prepare a report outlining your recommendations for a secure IT infrastructure, including network designs, cybersecurity measures, and data management protocols. Make sure your recommendations conform to industry standards.
Learning Resources for Unit 2:
- Access to networking simulators or virtual labs where students can design and implement network configurations (Stamp, 2011).
- Articles and case studies on real-world cybersecurity threats and responses (Gao et al. 2022).
- Database management software and tutorials on the design of secure and efficient database systems (Laudon & Laudon, 2004).
Mapping Activities to Learning Objectives
The activities stated for Unit 1 and Unit 2 address the course’s learning outcomes. The troubleshooting activity from unit 1 helps the students to engage with the computer system hardware and software as well as use this information in a hands-on problem-solving context. The focus on troubleshooting real-world scenarios mirrors what IT professionals are expected to do, while allowing students to explore the relationship between hardware, software, and operating systems.
The arrangement of a secure IT infrastructure For Unit 2 relates to the learning objectives of networking, cybersecurity and data management. Students learn to create IT solutions that are safe and efficient by solving real cybersecurity challenges and developing a data management plan. The activity enables students to contemplate how information technology systems get integrated within business operations to fulfill an organization’s requirements.
Facilitating and Completing the Activities
These learning activities must be facilitated in a learner-centered manner. Instructors ought to guide their students while at the same time letting them come up with solutions and applying theories. Students will perform some tasks independently and some in collaboration with one another.
Students may take part in research, discussion and presentation. They may present balanced and well-collected communication plans.
Instructors can support the activities by.
- Offering access to essential tools and resources like virtual labs, simulated environments and computer software.
- Commenting on students’ progress and giving further instruction on troubleshooting and security measures.
- Promote collaboration and discussion between peers to create critical thinking and problem-solving.
Conclusion
The authentic learning experiences in both unit 1 and unit 2 of the IT course allow students to apply their theory to practice. The activities help not only in obtaining the objectives of the course but also provide students with useful skills for the job market. By providing such realistic learning experiences, instructors will enhance engagement and thinking skills while preparing students for life as IT professionals.
References.
Freund, S. M., Sebok, S. L., & Vermaat, M. E. (2014). Discovering Computers: Technology in World of Computers, Mobile Device, and The Internet. Shelly Cashman Series. Cengage Learning. Boston USA, hal, 54.
Gao, J., Bashan, A., Shekhtman, L., & Havlin, S. (2022). Introduction to networks of networks. IOP Publishing.
Laudon, K. C., & Laudon, J. P. (2004). Management information systems: Managing the digital firm. Pearson Educación.
Rainer, R. K., Prince, B., Sanchez-Rodriguez, C., Splettstoesser-Hogeterp, I., & Ebrahimi, S. (2020). Introduction to information systems. John Wiley & Sons.
Stamp, M. (2011). Information security: principles and practice. John Wiley & Sons.
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Question 
Week 7 instructions
The purpose of this assignment is to demonstrate that you can select appropriate activities for the course you are creating. You will submit your learning units, with all the applicable sections that you have developed so far, along with your learning activities and resources.
Instructions
Create an authentic learning experience.
- Develop a real-life scenario for your students to do so they can relate this to their employment.
Align learning activities to the stated learning objectives.
- Learning activities are elements of a course that learners will complete that support the objectives of the unit and the unit assessments. Learning activities can take the form of discussion questions, papers, or detailed hands-on tasks, among other things.
Choose resources that support the successful completion of learning activities.
- Your learning resources are the tools you will need as an instructor to facilitate learning, as well as things your students will need to successfully complete the learning activities. Common instructor resources include a computer, audio-visual equipment, and a training environment. Common learner resources include textbooks, articles, computer hardware, and software.
- Your learning activities should map directly to the stated learning objectives. They should also align with the adult learning principles you have learned about in the previous units as much as possible. In your final paper that must accompany the final version of your course, you will need to provide an analysis of the activities you have selected, and that analysis should explain how your chosen learning activities are supported by learning theory and adult learning principles.
Designing an Authentic Learning Experience for Information Technology Students: A Real-World Approach
Provide instructions for the facilitation and completion of learning activities.
- The purpose of this assignment is to demonstrate that you can select appropriate activities for your course. So, for the purposes of this deliverable, describe the activity. You need to write all the instructions that might go along with each activity.
Competencies Measured
By successfully completing this assignment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and rubric criteria:
- Competency 2: Evaluate best practices of online and classroom instruction.
- Align learning activities to the stated learning objectives.
- Choose resources that support the successful completion of learning activities.
- Competency 3: Analyze the fundamentals of human development.
- Create an authentic learning experience.
- Competency 5: Facilitate learning.
- Provide instructions for the facilitation and completion of learning activities.
Note. Week 2 feedback.
You have used multiple verbs in both units. You should only have one verb from Bloom’s Taxonomy in the objectives as was stated in the Week 2 discussion. Please make the edit for the Week 7 activity creation.