COMPUTER AND SYSTEM MAINTENANCE

2009-10-09T06:05:00.000-07:00

1.0 SCAN DISK
ScanDisk is a Windows utility used to check your hard disk for errors and to correct problems that are found. These errors often occur when Windows locks up and must be restarted.
STEP:
Go to Start-->Programs-->Accessories-->System Tools--> Scandisk.
The ScanDisk options will pop up, check "Automatically fix file system errors," then click "Start."
You will get a message that ScanDisk cannot be performed, and ask you if you would like to schedule the ScanDisk when you restart your computer. Click "Yes."
2.0 DISK CLEANUP
The Disk Cleanup tool helps you free up space on your hard disk by searching your disk for files that you can safely delete. You can choose to delete some or all of the files. Use Disk Cleanup to perform any of the following tasks to free up space on your hard disk:

Remove temporary Internet files
Remove downloaded program files. For example, ActiveX controls and Java applets that are downloaded from the Internet.
Empty the Recycle Bin.
Remove Windows temporary files.
Remove optional Windows components that you are not using.
Remove installed programs that you no longer use.

You can start Disk Cleanup, by doing any of the following:

Click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click Disk Cleanup.

In Windows Explorer or My Computer, right-click the disk in which you want to free up space, click Properties, click the General tab, and then click Disk Cleanup.When have finished with selection, clik the OK button.

3.0 DISK DEFRAGMENTED
Organizes the files and programs in a logical order

STEP:
1) Open My Computer, right-click Local Disk, and then click Properties.

2) On the Tools tab, click Defragment Now. The Disk Defragmenter opens.

3) Click your first hard disk (normally C:), and then click Defragment.

As shown in Figure 1, Disk Defragmenter will work for at least several minutes, though it may take several hours.

4) If you have more than one hard disk, repeat this process for each hard disk listed starting at Step 3.

4.0 SCAN VIRUS
Detects viruses and cleans the PC

To run a virus scan in safe mode, follow these steps:

If your computer is on , shut it down
Power on your computer
Immediately after you power on your computer, repeatedly press the [F8] key (about once per second)

In the Windows Advanced Options Menu screen, use the arrows to select Safe Mode and presss [Enter]
Select your current operating system and press [Enter]
Select the user you would like to login under (if applicable)
When your system finishes booting, click the Start button on your task bar
Move your cursor over All Programs and navigate to your anti virus program
Click on your antiv virus program to run it and follow the anti virus program’s normal steps to run a virus scan
After the virus scan is complete, Delete all detected viruses
Close out of your anti virus software
Restart your computer (it should start in normal mode)

5.0 SPYWARE/ADWARE
Adware is software that displays advertisements on your computer. These are ads that inexplicably pop up on your display screen, even if you're not browsing the Internet. Some companies provide "free" software in exchange for advertising on your display.

Spyware is software that sends your personal information to a third party without your permission or knowledge. This can include information about Web sites you visit or something more sensitive like your user name and password. Unscrupulous companies often use this data to send you unsolicited targeted advertisements.

Protect against Spyware and Adware

Usually give permission to install adware, although you do so unwittingly because adware and spyware pushers are deceptive.Second, adware doesn't behave like a typical virus or worm. They don't usually do actual damage to your computer, other than wrecking its performance, and they don't spread themselves using your address bookMost popular antivirus products now include adware and spyware scanning. For example, the latest versions of McAfee VirusScan, Norton AntiVirus 2004, and Trend Micro PC-Cillin 2004 now scan

Prevent Unwanted Installation
Make sure the programs you install don't contain adware

Install a pop-up blocker to prevent adware and spyware pop-up windows

Don't unwittingly install adware or softwaran for some adware and spyware.

HOW TO INTEGRATE ICT IN EDUCATION

2009-08-08T07:54:00.000-07:00

Rapid global technological and economic developments have placed greater demands on education systems. The need to inculcate among students the importance of lifelong learning, that is, to constantly seek new information, to think critically and to take initiative has become ever more pressing in our fast-changing world. Countries in Asia and the Pacific have responded to these challenges in different forms and at varying levels so as to enable their people to adapt to change, inspire creativity and innovation, and enhance their ability to apply knowledge and solve emerging problems with confidence. Policies and strategies have been developed to integrate ICTs into education.

In these six countries, ICT use in education is at different stages of development. In its review of 90 ICT projects in Asia, the UNESCO (2003) comprehensive report groups the countries into three categories:
1. Advanced countries with integrated ICT in the education system. These include Australia, South Korea and Singapore. Some typical characteristics of these countries are as follows: almost all classrooms are equipped with computers and other ICT tools; the student/computer ratio is high; Internet access is available in all schools; curriculum revision ensures nationwide ICT integration; delivery of education is increasingly online.

2. Countries where national ICT policies and master plans have been formulated and various ICT integration strategies are being applied and tested (although ICT is not fully integrated in the education system). These include China,Thailand, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines and India. While there is great variation in their characteristics, there are nevertheless some common features as follows: national ICT policies in education have been developed, and the goals and objectives for introducing ICT in various aspects of education have been established.

3. Some countries where efforts towards ICT integration efforts and formulation of national policies have just begun. There are also countries that have no relevant policies but are running pilot ICT projects. In both instances, however, there is insufficient budget to implement policies and work plans and ICT infrastructure and penetration are poor. This third category includes Myanmar, Lao PDR, Viet Nam, Cambodia, and Bangladesh, among others. Because of the different levels of ICT integration in the six countries, alongside many similarities in their experiences of ICT integration, there is a variety of approaches that should be explored and examined. An analysis of experiences and best practices and associated problems has generated lessons learned in the following eight components of ICT integration in education:

(i) broader environmental context,
(ii) policy and regulatory environment,
(iii) management and financing,
(iv) ICT in schools – policy, vision and strategy,
(v) technology infrastructure and connectivity,
(vi) curriculum, pedagogy and content development,
(vii) professional development,
viii) monitoring and evaluation.

These components provide the key foundation and framework in setting up ICT for education programmes. A synthesis of lessons learned from selected countries in the region provides the basis for the development of tools and blueprints to guide policy formulation and programme improvements. It also serves as an advocacy instrument to gain the support of policy-makers and other stakeholders for the appropriate use of resources to support the integration of ICT in education.