14-Day Beginner Lab Plan
Day 1: Hardware Performance — Task Manager
Goal: Learn how to view CPU, memory, disk, and network activity.
How to find it
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
- If that does not work, click the Windows Start button, type Task Manager, and click it.
- Click Performance.
What to look for
- CPU: how hard the processor is working.
- Memory: how much short-term working space is being used.
- Disk: how much the storage drive is being used.
- Wi-Fi/Ethernet: network activity.
Job connection: Help desk technicians use Task Manager to troubleshoot slow computers.
Reflection: What resource was highest: CPU, Memory, Disk, or Network?
Day 2: Operating System Version
Goal: Identify the operating system and basic device information.
How to find it
- Click the Windows Start button.
- Click Settings.
- Click System.
- Click About.
What to look for
- Windows edition
- Device name
- Processor
- Installed RAM
- System type
What it means: The operating system is the main software that allows hardware and applications to work together.
Reflection: What operating system and RAM amount did you find?
Day 3: Installed Applications
Goal: Understand that applications are software tools installed on a device.
How to find it
- Click the Windows Start button.
- Click Settings.
- Click Apps.
- Click Installed apps.
What to do: Find three applications and write what each one is used for.
Job connection: IT support staff often help users install, remove, update, or troubleshoot applications.
Reflection: Which application do you use most often, and what problem does it help solve?
Day 4: Storage
Goal: Learn how much space is used and available on a computer.
How to find it
- Click the Windows Start button.
- Click Settings.
- Click System.
- Click Storage.
What to look for: Total storage, used storage, and available storage.
What it means: Storage is where files, applications, and system data are saved.
Reflection: Why can low storage make a computer harder to use?
Day 5: IP Address
Goal: Find the network address assigned to your computer.
How to find it
- Click the Windows Start button.
- Type cmd.
- Click Command Prompt.
- Type
ipconfig and press Enter.
What to look for: Look for IPv4 Address.
What it means: An IP address is like a network address for your computer.
Reflection: Why does a device need an address on a network?
Day 6: Connectivity Test
Goal: Test whether your computer can reach a website.
How to find it
- Open Command Prompt.
- Type
ping google.com. - Press Enter.
What to look for: Replies usually mean the computer reached the website. Timeouts may show a connection problem.
Job connection: Ping is a common first test for network troubleshooting.
Reflection: Did you receive replies or timeouts?
Day 7: DNS Lookup
Goal: Learn how website names connect to IP addresses.
How to find it
- Open Command Prompt.
- Type
nslookup google.com. - Press Enter.
What it means: DNS helps translate a website name into an IP address computers can use.
Reflection: Why is DNS useful for humans?
Day 8: Wi-Fi and Internet Speed
Goal: View Wi-Fi details and understand bandwidth.
How to find it
- Click the Windows Start button.
- Click Settings.
- Click Network & Internet.
- Click Wi-Fi.
- Open a browser and search for internet speed test.
What it means: Bandwidth is the amount of data that can move across a connection over time.
Reflection: What was your download speed?
Day 9: Security Basics
Goal: Recognize basic security protections.
What to do
- Open a browser.
- Visit a familiar website.
- Look for the lock icon near the address bar.
- Click the lock icon and view connection information.
What it means: HTTPS helps protect data while it travels between your browser and a website.
Reflection: Why should you be careful with links in emails or text messages?
Day 10: Cloud Storage and Sharing
Goal: Practice uploading and sharing a file with controlled permissions.
How to do it
- Open Google Drive, OneDrive, or another approved cloud storage tool.
- Create a test document with no private information.
- Upload it.
- Open sharing settings.
- Set it to view only.
Job connection: Cloud permissions matter because the wrong sharing setting can expose information.
Reflection: What is the difference between view and edit permission?
Day 11: Linux Basics
Goal: See basic Linux commands without installing anything.
How to do it
- Use a browser-based Linux practice site or a guided beginner lab.
- Practice
pwd, ls, cd, and mkdir.
What it means: Linux is widely used for servers, cloud, cybersecurity, and technical tools.
Reflection: Which Linux command tells you where you are?
Day 12: Python Basics
Goal: Run a simple Python command in a browser.
How to do it
- Open W3Schools Python TryIt, Replit, or Google Colab.
- Type
print("Hello, Tech+"). - Run the code.
What it means: Python helps people automate tasks and solve problems with code.
Reflection: What did the program display?
Day 13: Virtualization
Goal: Understand what a virtual machine is before installing anything.
What to do
- Search for What is a virtual machine?
- Read or watch a beginner explanation.
- Write one sentence explaining it in your own words.
What it means: A virtual machine lets one computer act like it is running another computer inside it.
Reflection: Why is a virtual machine useful for learning safely?
Day 14: AI and Career Readiness
Goal: Use AI responsibly as a study helper.
What to do
- Ask AI: Explain IP address in plain language for a beginner.
- Read the answer.
- Verify it with your class notes or another trusted source.
- Rewrite the answer in your own words.
Safety rule: Do not paste private, work, school, customer, or personal data into AI tools.
Reflection: How can AI help you study without replacing your thinking?