(a) General requirements. This course is recommended for students in Grades 10-12. The practicum course is a paid or unpaid capstone experience for students participating in a coherent sequence of career and technical education courses in the Information Technology Career Cluster. Recommended prerequisites: Principles of Information Technology, Computer Maintenance, Computer Maintenance Lab, Networking, and Networking Lab. Corequisite: Computer Technician Practicum. This course must be taken concurrently with Computer Technician Practicum and may not be taken as a stand-alone course. Students shall be awarded one credit for successful completion of this course. A student may repeat this course once for credit provided that the student is experiencing different aspects of the industry and demonstrating proficiency in additional and more advanced knowledge and skills.     
      (b) Introduction.      
        (1) Career and technical education instruction provides content aligned with challenging academic standards and relevant technical knowledge and skills for students to further their education and succeed in current or emerging professions.       
        (2) The Information Technology (IT) Career Cluster focuses on building linkages in IT occupations for entry level, technical, and professional careers related to the design, development, support, and management of hardware, software, multimedia, and systems integration services.       
        (3) In the Extended Computer Technician Practicum, students will gain knowledge and skills in the area of computer technologies, including advanced knowledge of electrical and electronic theory, computer principles, and components related to the installation, diagnosis, service, and repair of computer-based technology systems. Students will reinforce, apply, and transfer their knowledge and skills to a variety of settings and problems. Proper use of analytical skills and application of IT concepts and standards are essential to prepare students for success in a technology-driven society. Critical thinking, IT experience, and product development may be conducted in a classroom setting with an instructor, with an industry mentor, or both.       
        (4) Students are encouraged to participate in extended learning experiences such as career and technical student organizations and other leadership or extracurricular organizations.       
        (5) Statements that contain the word "including" reference content that must be mastered, while those containing the phrase "such as" are intended as possible illustrative examples.       
      (c) Knowledge and skills.      
        (1) The student demonstrates professional standards/employability skills as required by business and industry. The student is expected to:                  (A) participate in a paid or unpaid, laboratory- or work-based application of previously studied knowledge and skills related to IT;                   (B) participate in training, education, or preparation for licensure, certification, or other relevant credentials to prepare for employment;                   (C) demonstrate professional standards and personal qualities needed to be employable such as self-discipline, regular attendance, promptness, integrity, pride in work, and customer service with increased fluency; and                   (D) employ planning and time-management skills and tools with increased fluency to enhance results and complete work tasks.         
        (2) The student applies professional communications strategies. The student is expected to:                  (A) demonstrate proper use of written, verbal, and visual communication techniques consistent with IT industry standards with increased proficiency;                   (B) analyze, interpret, and effectively communicate information;                   (C) apply active listening skills to obtain and clarify information; and                   (D) exhibit public relations skills to maintain internal and external customer/client satisfaction.         
        (3) The student implements advanced problem-solving methods. The student is expected to employ critical-thinking skills with increased fluency both independently and in groups to solve problems and make decisions.       
        (4) The student understands and applies proper safety and security techniques in the workplace. The student is expected to:                  (A) demonstrate an understanding of and consistently follow IT security rules, regulations, and procedures;                   (B) recognize and analyze potential IT security threats and address security by installing and updating security software and using security software to clean an infected machine;                   (C) identify the range of security needs and the problems that can occur due to security lapses with increased proficiency;                   (D) demonstrate safe use of computer technology equipment such as hand and power tools with increased proficiency; and                   (E) demonstrate the proper handling and disposal of environmentally hazardous materials used in computer technologies in a consistent manner.         
        (5) The student understands the professional, ethical, and legal responsibilities in IT. The student is expected to:                  (A) demonstrate a positive, productive work ethic by performing assigned tasks as directed;                   (B) describe and practice ethical and legal responsibilities associated with the field of IT;                   (C) show integrity by choosing the ethical course of action when making decisions; and                   (D) comply with all applicable rules, laws, and regulations in a consistent manner.         
        (6) The student participates in a supervised IT experience. The student is expected to:                  (A) select and use the appropriate technological resources to conduct, document, and evaluate learning activities in a supervised IT experience;                   (B) read and interpret technical documentation such as schematics, drawings, charts, diagrams, technical manuals, and bulletins with increased fluency;                   (C) employ available reference tools, materials, and Internet sources with increased fluency to access information as needed;                   (D) develop solutions using appropriate technologies, IT concepts, and IT industry standards with increased proficiency;                   (E) implement project methodologies to manage information system projects; and                   (F) collect representative work samples.         
     Source Note:        The provisions of this §130.313 adopted to be effective August 28, 2017, 41 TexReg 614