Technical Support Fundamentals
Keep adding new skills with 10,000+ programs for $239 (usually $399). Save now.
Technical Support Fundamentals
This course is part of Google IT Support Professional Certificate
2,333,139 already enrolled
Included with
Learn more
Ask Coursera
164,299 reviews
164,299 reviews
Skills you'll gain
- End User Training and Support
- Package and Software Management
- Computer Hardware
- Customer Support
- Technical Documentation
- Software Documentation
- Information Technology
- Desktop Support
- Network Support
- Computer Systems
- Software Installation
- Help Desk Support
- Technical Writing
- Hardware Troubleshooting
- Technical Support and Services
- General Networking
- System Support
- Technical Support
- Computer Networking
Tools you'll learn
Details to know
See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills
Build your Support and Operations expertise
- Learn new concepts from industry experts
- Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
- Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
- Earn a shareable career certificate from Google
There are 6 modules in this course
In this course, youβll be introduced to the world of Information Technology, or IT. Youβll learn about the different facets of Information Technology, like computer hardware, the Internet, computer software, troubleshooting, and customer service. This course covers a wide variety of topics in IT that are designed to give you an overview of whatβs to come in this certificate program.
By the end of this course, youβll be able to: β understand how the binary system works β assemble a computer from scratch β choose and install an operating system on a computer β understand what the Internet is, how it works, and the impact it has in the modern world β learn how applications are created and how they work under the hood of a computer β utilize common problem-solving methodologies and soft skills in an Information Technology setting
In the first module 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!
What's included
15 videos5 readings5 assignments1 plugin
15 videosβ’Total 49 minutes
- Program Introductionβ’5 minutes
- What is IT?β’4 minutes
- What does an IT Support Specialist do?β’2 minutes
- Course Introductionβ’2 minutes
- Get started with your Google IT Support Certificateβ’2 minutes
- From Abacus to Analytical Engineβ’5 minutes
- The Path to Modern Computersβ’10 minutes
- Kevin: Their career pathβ’1 minute
- Computer Languageβ’3 minutes
- Character Encodingβ’3 minutes
- Binaryβ’2 minutes
- How to Count in Binaryβ’3 minutes
- Abstractionβ’2 minutes
- Computer Architecture Overviewβ’3 minutes
- Kevin: Advice for the world of ITβ’1 minute
5 readingsβ’Total 20 minutes
- Helpful resources and tipsβ’4 minutes
- Pioneers in Computing and ITβ’4 minutes
- Supplemental Reading on Logic Gatesβ’4 minutes
- Binary Conversionβ’4 minutes
- Glossary terms from course 1, module 1β’4 minutes
5 assignmentsβ’Total 102 minutes
- Reflection: Your IT support path ahead β’8 minutes
- Test your knowledge: Binaryβ’10 minutes
- Test your knowledge: Computer Architectureβ’4 minutes
- Test your knowledge: How to Count in Binaryβ’30 minutes
- Module 1 challenge: Introduction to IT and Computingβ’50 minutes
1 pluginβ’Total 10 minutes
- Google IT Cert Participant Entry Surveyβ’10 minutes
In the second module 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!
What's included
19 videos10 readings5 assignments1 app item1 plugin
19 videosβ’Total 76 minutes
- Module Introductionβ’2 minutes
- Introduction to Computer Hardwareβ’4 minutes
- Programs, the CPU, and Memoryβ’8 minutes
- Joe: Diversity in ITβ’1 minute
- CPUβ’4 minutes
- RAMβ’3 minutes
- Motherboardsβ’3 minutes
- Physical Storage: Hard Drivesβ’4 minutes
- Power Suppliesβ’4 minutes
- Mobile Devicesβ’4 minutes
- Batteries and Charging Systemsβ’4 minutes
- Peripherals and Portsβ’3 minutes
- BIOSβ’5 minutes
- Ben: Skills of IT professionalsβ’1 minute
- Putting it All Together: Installing The Processorβ’8 minutes
- Putting it All Together: Adding the RAM And The Driveβ’6 minutes
- Putting it All Together: Adding Graphics and Other Peripherals.β’6 minutes
- Mobile Device Repairβ’2 minutes
- One program, many futuresβ’1 minute
10 readingsβ’Total 41 minutes
- Supplemental Reading for CPUsβ’4 minutes
- Get learning assistance with Google AI Pro at no costβ’4 minutes
- Supplemental Reading for CPU architectureβ’2 minutes
- Supplemental Reading for Data Storageβ’4 minutes
- Power Suppliesβ’10 minutes
- Learn About Batteries and Charging Systemsβ’1 minute
- Supplemental Reading on Connector Typesβ’4 minutes
- Supplemental Reading for Projectorsβ’4 minutes
- Mobile Display Typesβ’4 minutes
- Glossary terms from course 1, module 2β’4 minutes
5 assignmentsβ’Total 90 minutes
- Test your knowledge: The Modern Computerβ’4 minutes
- Test your knowledge: Componentsβ’8 minutes
- Test your knowledge: Starting It Upβ’8 minutes
- Assemble a Computerβ’20 minutes
- Module 2 challenge: Computer Components and Hardwareβ’50 minutes
1 app itemβ’Total 4 minutes
- Redeem Your Google AI Pro Trialβ’4 minutes
1 pluginβ’Total 15 minutes
- Troubleshooting Mobile Issuesβ’15 minutes
In the third module of this course, learners will explore operating systems (OS). They will learn about the common operating systems that are used today and understand how they work with the computer hardware. Learners will review the "boot process" of an operating system and show learners how to install Windows, Linux, and Mac OSX operating systems. Finally, learners will use the hands-on lab environment to interact directly with the Windows and Linux operating systems.
What's included
19 videos9 readings3 assignments2 app items
19 videosβ’Total 50 minutes
- Module introductionβ’3 minutes
- Components of an Operating Systemβ’5 minutes
- Files and File Systemsβ’3 minutes
- Process Managementβ’3 minutes
- Memory Management and Virtual Memoryβ’2 minutes
- I/O Managementβ’2 minutes
- Interacting with the OS: User Spaceβ’3 minutes
- Logsβ’2 minutes
- The Boot Processβ’2 minutes
- Mobile Operating Systemsβ’1 minute
- Cindy: Drive and career pathβ’1 minute
- Choosing an Operating Systemβ’3 minutes
- Virtual Machinesβ’2 minutes
- Installing Windows 10β’4 minutes
- Installing Linuxβ’6 minutes
- What is Chrome OS?β’3 minutes
- Mac OSβ’2 minutes
- Tri Ngo: How to overcome obstacles and become successful in ITβ’2 minutes
- Introduction to Qwiklabsβ’1 minute
9 readingsβ’Total 43 minutes
- Learn About Chrome OSβ’1 minute
- Boot Methods Best Practicesβ’4 minutes
- Supplemental Reading for Choosing an OSβ’2 minutes
- Windows 10 & 11 Feature Matrixβ’4 minutes
- Supplemental Reading for Ubuntuβ’4 minutes
- Glossary terms from course 1, module 3β’4 minutes
- Qwiklabs guidelines and troubleshooting stepsβ’8 minutes
- Exemplar: Creating a folder with Windowsβ’8 minutes
- Exemplar: Creating a folder with Linuxβ’8 minutes
3 assignmentsβ’Total 72 minutes
- Test your knowledge: What is an Operating System?β’14 minutes
- Test your knowledge: Installing an Operating Systemβ’8 minutes
- Module 3 challenge: Installing and Using Operating Systemsβ’50 minutes
2 app itemsβ’Total 120 minutes
- Creating a Folder with Windowsβ’60 minutes
- Creating a Folder with Linuxβ’60 minutes
In the fourth module 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.
What's included
15 videos2 readings2 assignments
15 videosβ’Total 40 minutes
- Module Introductionβ’3 minutes
- Basics of Networkingβ’7 minutes
- Networking Hardwareβ’3 minutes
- TCP/IPβ’2 minutes
- The Webβ’4 minutes
- Victor: First job experiencesβ’1 minute
- History of the Internetβ’4 minutes
- Limitations of the Internetβ’3 minutes
- Changing Careersβ’1 minute
- Impactβ’4 minutes
- Internet of Thingsβ’1 minute
- Gian: What he does in Android Securityβ’1 minute
- Privacy and Securityβ’3 minutes
- Heather Adkins: keeping hackers outβ’2 minutes
- Learner Story: Melindaβ’1 minute
2 readingsβ’Total 5 minutes
- Learn About the Internet of Thingsβ’1 minute
- Glossary terms from course 1, module 4β’4 minutes
2 assignmentsβ’Total 62 minutes
- Test your knowledge: Limitations of the Internetβ’12 minutes
- Module 4 challenge: Networkingβ’50 minutes
In the fifth module of this course, we'll learn about computer software. We'll learn about what software actually is and the different types of software you may encounter as an IT Support Specialist. We'll also explore how to manage software and revisit the concept of "abstraction." By the end of this module, you'll use the Qwiklabs environment to install, update and remove software on both Windows and Linux operating systems.
What's included
10 videos5 readings3 assignments2 app items
10 videosβ’Total 22 minutes
- Module Introductionβ’2 minutes
- How software is built: Coding, scripting, and programming β’2 minutes
- Types of Softwareβ’3 minutes
- Revisiting Abstractionβ’1 minute
- Recipe for Computingβ’3 minutes
- Phelan: Learning IT in the Navyβ’1 minute
- Managing Softwareβ’3 minutes
- Installing, Updating, and Removing Software on Windowsβ’3 minutes
- Installing, Updating, and Removing Software on Linuxβ’2 minutes
- Software Automationβ’1 minute
5 readingsβ’Total 25 minutes
- Common Scripting Solutionsβ’4 minutes
- Learn About Software Versioningβ’1 minute
- Glossary terms from course 1, module 5β’4 minutes
- Exemplar: Installing, updating, and removing software in Windowsβ’8 minutes
- Exemplar: Installing, updating, and removing software in Linuxβ’8 minutes
3 assignmentsβ’Total 58 minutes
- Test your knowledge: Introduction to Softwareβ’6 minutes
- Test your knowledge: Interacting with Softwareβ’2 minutes
- Module 5 challenge: Interacting with Softwareβ’50 minutes
2 app itemsβ’Total 120 minutes
- Installing, Updating, and Removing Software in Windowsβ’60 minutes
- Installing, Updating and Removing Software in Linuxβ’60 minutes
Congratulations, you've made it to the last module of the course! In the final module, learners examine the importance of troubleshooting and customer support. Theyβll go through some real-world scenarios that they might encounter in a Help Desk or Desktop Support role. Theyβll also learn why empathizing with users is critical when working in a tech role. Finally, learners will learn why writing effective documentation is an important aspect of any IT role. By the end of this module, learners will be able to utilize soft skills and write documentation in order to communicate effectively with others.
What's included
23 videos5 readings2 assignments
23 videosβ’Total 65 minutes
- Module Introductionβ’2 minutes
- Ask Questions!β’4 minutes
- Isolating the Problemβ’3 minutes
- Follow the Cookie Crumbsβ’3 minutes
- Start with the Quickest Step Firstβ’2 minutes
- Troubleshooting Pitfalls to Avoidβ’2 minutes
- Amir: Attributes in an IT support spaceβ’1 minute
- Intro to Soft Skillsβ’8 minutes
- Anatomy of an Interactionβ’7 minutes
- How to Deal with Difficult Situations Part Iβ’5 minutes
- How to Deal with Difficult Situations Part IIβ’5 minutes
- Ticketing Systems and Documenting Your Workβ’2 minutes
- Process Documentationβ’2 minutes
- Documenting in Ticketing Systemsβ’1 minute
- Your Opportunity for Successβ’2 minutes
- Standing Out from the Crowdβ’3 minutes
- Getting Ready for the Interviewβ’3 minutes
- What to Expect During the Technical Interviewβ’2 minutes
- Showing Your Best Self During the Interviewβ’2 minutes
- Interview Role Play: Customer Serviceβ’3 minutes
- Course Wrap Upβ’2 minutes
- Sabrina: Technology can open doors β’1 minute
- Congratulations!β’0 minutes
5 readingsβ’Total 18 minutes
- Crafting Your Resumeβ’4 minutes
- Creating Your Elevator Pitchβ’4 minutes
- Join the community β’4 minutes
- Glossary terms from course 1, module 6β’4 minutes
- Course 1 Glossaryβ’2 minutes
2 assignmentsβ’Total 40 minutes
- Test your knowledge: Customer Serviceβ’10 minutes
- Module 6 challenge: Troubleshooting Best Practicesβ’30 minutes
Earn a career certificate
Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV. Share it on social media and in your performance review.
Instructor
Offered by
Explore more from Support and Operations
- Status: Free Trial
Course
- Status: Free Trial
Course
- Status: Free Trial
Course
- Status: Free Trial
Why people choose Coursera for their career
Learner reviews
- 5 stars
85.69%
- 4 stars
12.21%
- 3 stars
1.45%
- 2 stars
0.26%
- 1 star
0.36%
Showing 3 of 164299
Reviewed on Jan 8, 2020
I recommend this course to everybody that is looking into starting a career in IT Support IndustriesAlso for Experienced IT Support Specialist in order to gain additional knowledge and useful skills
Reviewed on Apr 8, 2020
Well made and simple to understand, had previous experience and it was dead on. Great for beginners and a great refresher for people trying to get a cert for their resume or to expand their knowledge.
Reviewed on Jul 30, 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
Frequently asked questions
To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
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.
More questions
Financial aid available,
ΒΉ Some assignments in this course are AI-graded. For these assignments, your data will be used in accordance with Coursera's Privacy Notice.
