This course is the first of a series that aims to prepare you for a role as an entry-level IT Support Specialist. In this course, you’ll be introduced to the world of Information Technology, or IT. You’ll learn about the different facets of Information Technology, like computer hardware, the Internet, computer software, troubleshooting, and customer service. We’ll go through what a technical interview could look like, and provide tips on how to best prepare for one. This course covers a wide variety of topics in IT that are designed to give you an overview of what’s to come in this certificate program.
By the end of this course, you’ll be able to:
● understand how the binary system works.
● assemble a computer from scratch.
● choose and install an operating system on a computer.
● understand what the Internet is, how it works, and the impact it has in the modern world.
● learn how applications are created and how they work under the hood of a computer.
● utilize common problem-solving methodologies and soft skills in an Information Technology setting.
This course is part of the Google IT Support Professional Certificate Specialization
Technical Support Fundamentals
Offered By
About this Course
4.8
9,612 ratings
Skills you will gain
Binary CodeCustomer SupportLinuxTroubleshooting
Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
Week
1Introduction to IT
Welcome to Technical Support Fundamentals, the first course of the IT Support Professional Certificate! By enrolling in this course, you are taking the first step to kickstarting your career in tech. In the first week of the course, we'll learn about how computers were invented, how they've evolved over time, and how they work today. We will also learn about what an "IT Support Specialist" is and what they do in their job. By the end of this module, you will know how to count like a computer using binary and understand why these calculations are so powerful for society. So let's get started!
14 videos (Total 51 min), 7 readings, 3 quizzes
14 videos
What is IT?4m
What does an IT Support Specialist do?2m
Course Introduction2m
From Abacus to Analytical Engine5m
The Path to Modern Computers11m
Kevin Career1m
Computer Language3m
Character Encoding3m
Binary2m
How to Count in Binary3m
Abstraction2m
Computer Architecture Overview3m
Kevin Advice1m
7 readings
Navigating Coursera10m
Program Surveys10m
How to Use Discussion Forums10m
Get to Know Your Classmates10m
Copy of Program Surveys10m
Supplemental Reading on Logic Gates10m
About Graded Plugins10m
3 practice exercises
Binary10m
Computer Architecture4m
How to Count in Binary2m
Week
2Hardware
In the second week of this course, we'll learn about what's inside a computer. We'll learn all about the hardware components or different pieces inside a computer. We'll discover what each component does and how they work together to make a computer function. By the end of this module, you will also know how to build a computer from scratch!
13 videos (Total 69 min), 4 readings, 3 quizzes
13 videos
Introduction to Computer Hardware4m
Programs and Hardware8m
Joe Diversity1m
CPU4m
RAM3m
Motherboards3m
Storage4m
Power Supplies4m
Peripherals4m
BIOS4m
Ben's Advice1m
Putting it All Together21m
4 readings
Supplemental Reading for CPUs10m
Supplemental Reading for CPU architecture10m
Supplemental Reading for Data Storage10m
Supplemental Reading for USB Peripherals10m
3 practice exercises
The Modern Computer4m
Components8m
Starting It Up8m
Hardware: Lesson Choices
Choice 1: Choose one of the two graded assessments. If you want to build a computer using simulated hardware components, choose the Quiz. | Choice 2: Choose one of the two graded assessments. If you want to build a computer using real hardware components, choose the Peer Review.
1 reading, 2 quizzes
1 reading
About Graded Plugins10m
1 practice exercise
Assemble a Computer2m
Week
3Operating System
In the third week of this course, we'll learn about operating systems. We'll discuss the common operating systems that are used today and understand how they work with the computer hardware. We'll learn about the "boot process" of an operating system and show you how to install Windows, Linux and Mac OSX operating systems from scratch. By the end of this module, you'll use the Qwiklabs environment to interact directly with the Windows and Linux operating systems.
19 videos (Total 63 min), 5 readings, 5 quizzes
19 videos
Components of an Operating System6m
Files and File Systems3m
Process Management2m
Memory Management2m
I/O Management2m
Interacting with the OS: User Space3m
Logs2m
The Boot Process2m
Cindy Drive & Career Path1m
Choosing an Operating System3m
Virtual Machines2m
Installing Windows5m
Installing Linux6m
What is Chrome OS?3m
Installing Mac OS X3m
Tri Ngo Obstacles & How to be successful in IT1m
Introduction to Qwiklabs1m
Instructions for Accessing Linux Qwiklabs5m
5 readings
Supplemental Reading for Chrome OS10m
Supplemental Reading for ReFS File System10m
Supplemental Reading for Choosing an OS10m
Supplemental Reading for Ubuntu10m
Instructions for Accessing Windows Qwiklabs10m
3 practice exercises
What is an Operating System?14m
Installing an Operating System10m
Accessing Qwiklabs16m
Week
4Networking
In the fourth week of this course, we'll learn about computer networking. We'll explore the history of the Internet and what "The Web" actually is. We'll also discuss topics like Internet privacy, security, and what the future of the Internet may look like. You'll also understand why the Internet has limitations even today. By the end of this module, you will know how the Internet works and recognize both the positive and negative impacts the Internet has had on the world.
13 videos (Total 43 min), 1 reading, 2 quizzes
13 videos
Basics of Networking7m
Networking Hardware3m
Language of the Internet2m
The Web3m
Victor First Job1m
History of the Internet4m
Limitations of the Internet3m
Impact3m
Internet of Things1m
Gian What he does in Android Security1m
Privacy and Security3m
Heather Adkins Keeping Hackers Out2m
1 reading
Supplemental Reading for Internet of Things10m
2 practice exercises
Limitations of the Internet12m
Networking20m
39%
started a new career after completing these courses
38%
got a tangible career benefit from this course
Top Reviews
By BM•Jul 31st 2018
I am working in IT and wanted to do a refresher on the fundamentals and this course is really worth it. Good job Google and thank you for an affordable solution to getting my refresher and certificate
By JM•Feb 15th 2018
Great introduction to IT and the different standards that are used in the field. It really gives you an idea of what to expect and the different aspects that you may encounter while you're on the job.
About Google
The IT Support Professional Certificate program is part of Grow with Google, an initiative that draws on Google's 20-year history of building products, platforms, and services that help people and businesses grow. Through programs like these, we aim to help everyone– those who make up the workforce of today and the students who will drive the workforce of tomorrow – access the best of Google’s training and tools to grow their skills, careers, and businesses.
About the Google IT Support Professional Certificate Specialization
This five-course certificate, developed by Google, includes innovative curriculum designed to prepare you for an entry-level role in IT support. A job in IT can mean in-person or remote help desk work in a small business or at a global company like Google. If you’ve been tinkering with IT or are new to the field, you’re at the right place. The program is part of Grow with Google, a Google initiative to help create economic opportunities for all Americans. Check out this video to learn more.
Upon completion of the certificate, you can share your information with top employers like Cognizant, GE Digital, H&R Block, Hulu, J.M. Smucker, Infosys, Intel, KForce, MCPc, PNC Bank, RICOH USA, Sprint, TEKSystems, UPMC, Veterans United Home Loans, Walmart and their subsidiaries, and of course, Google.
Through a mix of video lectures, quizzes, and hand-on labs and widgets, the program will introduce you to troubleshooting and customer service, networking, operating systems, system administration and security. Along the way, you’ll hear from Googlers with unique backgrounds whose own foundation in IT support served as a jumping off point for their careers.
By dedicating 8-10 hours a week, you can complete the certificate in about eight months. You can skip through content that you might already know and speed ahead to the graded assessments.
Except as otherwise noted, the contents on this site are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Once you enroll for a Certificate, you’ll have access to all videos, quizzes, and programming assignments (if applicable). Peer review assignments can only be submitted and reviewed once your session has begun. If you choose to explore the course without purchasing, you may not be able to access certain assignments.
What will I get if I subscribe to this Certificate?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Certificate, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
What is the refund policy?
More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.
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