Information Technology (IT) Fundamentals for Everyone from edX

With 25 million more project professionals being needed globally by 2030 (Project Management Institute), the demand for talented individuals with good underpinning IT knowledge is exploding. This Information Technology (IT) Fundamentals course is designed specifically for non-technical professionals who want to collaborate effectively with IT teams and make informed decisions.

In this course, you'll learn the essentials of hardware, operating systems, and the foundational concepts of software, programming, and databases. You’ll explore how different types of hardware function, from printers to display devices, and how operating systems manage files and folders. Plus, you’ll discover the basics of software applications, web browsers, programming languages, and how databases store and manipulate data.

You'll also gain an understanding of networking, including network topologies, cables, and how to manage network settings. You’ll learn about storage solutions, from local devices to hosted systems. Plus, you’ll be introduced to cybersecurity fundamentals, covering key concepts like data integrity, threat management, and safe browsing practices.

As you learn, you’ll work on hands-on labs that enable you to apply your new skills in a practical setting. And you’ll test your knowledge with a comprehensive assessment and gain insights into troubleshooting and ticketing systems for IT support.

If you’re a project-oriented professional looking to build a strong, non-technical understanding of IT for your job, ENROLL TODAY and build the job-ready IT skills you need in just 6 weeks.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Job-ready it skills non-technical project professionals need in just 6 weeks, supported by practical experience employers look for on a resume and an industry-recognized credential.
The essentials of operating systems, computer components, programming concepts, databases, and the difference between commercial and open software.
The importance of computer networks, including wired and wireless connections; explore network resources and storage types in ms windows.

How to protect against security threats, address public browsing security concerns, and list password management best practices.
The benefits of cloud computing and an understanding of the cloud infrastructure layer, virtual machines, and the features of ticketing systems.

Job-ready it skills non-technical project professionals need in just 6 weeks, supported by practical experience employers look for on a resume and an industry-recognized credential.
The essentials of operating systems, computer components, programming concepts, databases, and the difference between commercial and open software.
The importance of computer networks, including wired and wireless connections; explore network resources and storage types in ms windows.
How to protect against security threats, address public browsing security concerns, and list password management best practices.
The benefits of cloud computing and an understanding of the cloud infrastructure layer, virtual machines, and the features of ticketing systems.

Syllabus

Module 0 : Welcome

Video: Course Introduction

Reading: General Information

Reading: Learning Objectives and Syllabus

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Provides a foundational understanding of IT concepts, enabling non-technical professionals to communicate more effectively with IT teams and make informed decisions

Covers essential hardware, operating systems, software, programming, and databases, which are core components of modern IT infrastructure

Includes hands-on labs to apply new skills in practical settings, which reinforces learning and builds confidence

Explores cybersecurity fundamentals, including data integrity, threat management, and safe browsing practices, which are essential for all professionals

Introduces cloud computing concepts, infrastructure, and virtual machines, which are increasingly important in modern IT environments

Features a bonus lesson on troubleshooting and ticketing systems, which are valuable skills for IT support and operations

Reviews summary

Foundational it knowledge for non-technical roles

According to learners, this course offers an excellent introduction to fundamental IT concepts tailored specifically for non-technical professionals seeking to improve collaboration. Students found the coverage of hardware, operating systems, software, networking, cybersecurity, and cloud computing to be a broad and clear overview. Many appreciated that complex topics were explained simply, making it an accessible starting point for complete beginners. The hands-on labs were frequently mentioned as helpful for applying concepts practically. While providing a solid foundation, reviewers note that the course focuses on fundamentals and does not delve into deep technical detail, aligning well with its stated audience.

Provides an introduction, not deep technical skill.

"It's accurately titled 'Fundamentals'. You get a high-level overview of many areas, but don't expect to become an expert."

"Excellent for understanding the basics, but for any real technical depth, you'll need subsequent courses."

"This course is a great starting point for beginners; however, it only scratches the surface of most topics."

Modules are logical and easy to navigate.

"The course modules were well-organized and flowed logically, making it easy to progress through the material."

"I appreciated the structure of the course; each section built nicely upon the previous one."

"The syllabus breaks down the topics clearly into manageable modules."

Practical labs reinforced theoretical concepts.

"The hands-on labs, particularly those on Windows settings and file management, were invaluable for applying the learned concepts."

"I enjoyed the practical exercises. They made the abstract ideas feel more concrete and helped solidify my understanding."

"The labs are a strong point of the course, providing necessary practice alongside the video lectures."

Concepts presented simply, ideal for non-technical.

"As someone with no prior IT knowledge, I found the explanations incredibly clear and easy to follow. It didn't feel overwhelming."

"The instructors did a fantastic job breaking down complex ideas into digestible parts that anyone can understand."

"Perfectly suited for beginners. The material is presented in a simple, logical flow."

Covers a wide range of essential IT topics.

"I gained a comprehensive overview of IT fundamentals, from hardware and software to networking and cloud. It's a great starting point."

"The course touched upon all key areas like operating systems, databases, security, and networking, giving me a foundational understanding of each."

"Really appreciated the breadth of topics covered. It helped me see how different parts of IT connect."

Helps improve communication with IT teams.

"This course significantly improved my ability to understand and communicate with our IT department on technical matters."

"Highly relevant for project managers and business analysts needing to grasp basic IT concepts for their work."

"It gave me the vocabulary and context needed to collaborate more effectively with technical colleagues."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Information Technology (IT) Fundamentals for Everyone with these activities:

Review Operating System Fundamentals

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Solidify your understanding of operating system concepts before diving into the course modules. This will help you grasp the more advanced topics covered later.

Browse courses on Operating Systems

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Review the different types of operating systems.
Familiarize yourself with file management concepts.
Understand the basic functions of an OS.

Read 'CompTIA IT Fundamentals+ Study Guide: Exam FC0-U61'

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Supplement your learning with a comprehensive study guide for the CompTIA IT Fundamentals+ certification. This book provides a structured overview of key IT concepts.

View Putting Knowledge to Work on Amazon

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Read the relevant chapters for each module.
Complete the practice questions at the end of each chapter.
Review the exam tips and strategies.

Practice Identifying Hardware Components

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Reinforce your knowledge of hardware components through repetitive identification exercises. This will improve your ability to quickly recognize and understand different hardware elements.

Browse courses on Hardware Components

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Create flashcards with images of different hardware components.
Use online quizzes to test your knowledge.
Disassemble and reassemble a computer (optional, if you have access to one).

Three other activities

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Read 'The Phoenix Project: A Novel About IT, DevOps, and Helping Your Business Win'

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Gain a broader understanding of IT challenges and solutions in a business context. This book provides a narrative perspective on IT management and DevOps principles.

View The Phoenix Project: A Novel About IT, DevOps,... on Amazon

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Read the book, paying attention to the challenges faced by the IT team.
Reflect on how the concepts in the book relate to the course material.
Discuss the book with other students or colleagues.

Create a Cybersecurity Awareness Guide

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Solidify your understanding of cybersecurity principles by creating a guide for non-technical users. This will help you internalize the concepts and communicate them effectively.

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Research common cybersecurity threats and best practices.
Write clear and concise explanations of key concepts.
Design the guide with visuals and examples.
Share the guide with friends or family for feedback.

Set up a Home Network

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Apply your knowledge of networking concepts by setting up a home network. This hands-on project will solidify your understanding of network topologies, devices, and configurations.

Browse courses on Computer Networks

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Plan your network topology and device placement.
Configure your router and network settings.
Connect your devices to the network.
Troubleshoot any connectivity issues.

Career center

Learners who complete Information Technology (IT) Fundamentals for Everyone will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Project Manager

A project manager often leads teams that include IT professionals, and this course helps build a foundation for this collaboration. A project manager needs to understand the basics of hardware, operating systems, software, programming, and databases, all covered in this course, to effectively communicate with technical teams. This course also explores networking, storage, cloud computing, and cybersecurity, allowing a project manager to understand the impact of each on projects and make informed decisions. The modules on software installation, database operations, and network settings are especially relevant for a project manager leading IT projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Business Analyst

A business analyst bridges the gap between business needs and technology solutions, and this course helps build essential skills for such a role. A business analyst needs a strong understanding of IT infrastructure, software, and data management, all covered in this course. The course introduces key concepts like hardware, operating systems, programming, and databases, essential for a business analyst to effectively gather requirements and propose solutions. By learning about networking, storage, cloud computing, and cybersecurity, a business analyst can better communicate with technical teams. Modules on software applications, database fundamentals, and cloud computing are particularly helpful for a business analyst.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Sales Engineer

A sales engineer often works with clients to understand their technical needs and demonstrate how products and services meet those needs. This course helps a sales engineer build an understanding of the foundational IT concepts often discussed with clients. A sales engineer benefits from knowing about hardware, software, and networking, as well as cybersecurity and cloud computing, all of which are covered in this course. By understanding these topics, a sales engineer can better communicate with clients and tailor their pitches to meet customer requirements. The modules on software applications and cloud computing are particularly relevant for a sales engineer in a tech-focused role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sales Engineer

Technology Consultant

A technology consultant advises clients on how to best use technology to achieve their business goals. This course helps the technology consultant by introducing them to key components of IT infrastructure. A technology consultant needs to have a broad understanding of hardware, operating systems, and software, and this course provides an introduction to them. This course also discusses networking, storage, cloud computing, and cybersecurity, all of which are important for a technology consultant to understand. A technology consultant may find this course useful in understanding the foundational components of IT.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technology Consultant

Software Trainer

A software trainer delivers instruction to users on how to use software applications. A software trainer in this role can benefit from the fundamental knowledge of software, programming, and databases provided in this course. The course covers a variety of software concepts, including installation, updates, and common web browsers which will help a software trainer understand their subject matter more deeply. This course also introduces concepts of programming and databases which can be useful for better understanding of the software they teach. This course is helpful for a software trainer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Trainer

Technical Writer

A technical writer creates documentation for technical products. This course helps build an understanding of the IT landscape which a technical writer would describe for their audience. A technical writer needs to grasp the fundamentals of hardware, systems, and software, which is covered in this course. Modules on software installation, database operations, and network settings provides a practical foundation in subjects that a technical writer is likely to encounter. Cybersecurity concepts, and cloud computing are also discussed, which are often topics of technical documentation. This course may be useful for a technical writer who wishes to improve their knowledge base.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer

Data Analyst

A data analyst interprets and analyzes data to provide insights, and this course helps a data analyst build crucial foundation knowledge. Although this course does not focus on data analytics, a data analyst can benefit from understanding database fundamentals and data storage, both covered in detail here. Understanding operating systems, software, and computer networks is useful for a data analyst. Furthermore, the course material on cloud computing and cybersecurity can be relevant to how a data analyst can do their job. This course may be helpful, especially in a technical role where data analysts work closely with IT infrastructure.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

IT Support Specialist

An IT support specialist provides technical assistance to users, and this course may be useful in learning the basics. An IT support specialist needs a foundation in operating systems, hardware, and software, covered extensively in this course. The course covers troubleshooting and ticketing systems providing direct insight into the systems that an IT support specialist uses. Furthermore, this course covers core concepts of networks and cybersecurity, which an IT support specialist is likely to encounter. The hands-on labs in this course provide useful practice. This course may be helpful in preparing a candidate for an entry-level IT support specialist role.

See salaries and explore the career path for IT Support Specialist

Technical Recruiter

A technical recruiter specializes in recruiting professionals for roles in technology, and this course builds foundational knowledge that can be valuable to this role. A technical recruiter needs to understand the basics of IT, including hardware, software, and networking, all of which are introduced in this course. The technical recruiter will benefit from an overview of programming, databases, cybersecurity, and cloud computing. This course may be helpful for a technical recruiter to better understand the needs of the roles they recruit for, which will help them better communicate with their clients and candidates.

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IT Auditor

An IT auditor evaluates an organization's IT systems and processes for risk and compliance. This course may be useful for a candidate looking to become an IT auditor. An IT auditor benefits from a comprehensive understanding of hardware and software, which this course provides through its overview. The course discusses networking and storage, in addition to core concepts of cybersecurity which is often central to the work of an IT auditor. This course also explores cloud computing, which will be useful for IT auditors. This course could be useful in building foundational knowledge for an IT auditor.

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Digital Marketing Specialist

A digital marketing specialist manages online marketing campaigns and strategies for organizations. This course builds an understanding of the technical concepts that underlie digital marketing. A digital marketing specialist can benefit from a foundational understanding of IT, including hardware, software, and networking. The course also introduces cloud computing, which is helpful in understanding the technical landscape that digital marketing operates in. This course is useful for a digital marketing specialist.

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Operations Manager

An operations manager works to improve processes and efficiency within business departments, and this course helps build skills that are extremely valuable in an increasingly digital world. The operations manager benefits by understanding the IT systems that are relied upon by an organization, which this course covers. The course introduces hardware, software, databases, and computer networking, providing an overview of how IT infrastructure works. The course introduces cloud computing and cybersecurity, which helps an operations manager understand the risks associated with technology. This course may be useful to an operations manager.

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Change Management Specialist

A change management specialist helps organizations adapt to change, including implementing new technology. This course focuses on the fundamentals of IT, which may be useful for a change management specialist. A change management specialist can benefit from understanding the basics of hardware, software, and computer networking which is introduced here. The course also explores cloud computing and cybersecurity which are often involved with technology changes. This course may be useful for a change management specialist, especially those dealing with technology changes.

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Marketing Manager

A marketing manager is responsible for planning and overseeing marketing campaigns. This course could be helpful in understanding the technology that increasingly influences marketing. A marketing manager can benefit from an understanding of computer networks, storage, and cloud computing, all of which are covered in this course. This course also covers key concepts from software and database management, all of which can be relevant for marketing. This course may be useful for a marketing manager, especially in digital roles.

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Human Resources Generalist

A human resources generalist supports employees and ensures compliance with company policies. This course may be useful for a human resources professional wishing to understand IT. A human resources generalist can benefit from the basic IT knowledge provided by this course, especially in today's work environment, which is increasingly dependent on technology. The course covers essential topics such as operating systems, software, and cybersecurity. The module on ticketing systems can be particularly relevant for a human resources professional who handles technology related support or requests. A human resources professional might take this course to better understand requests for technology support.

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Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Information Technology (IT) Fundamentals for Everyone.

Putting Knowledge to Work

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This study guide is specifically designed to prepare individuals for the CompTIA IT Fundamentals+ certification exam. It covers a broad range of IT topics, including hardware, software, networking, security, and cloud computing. serves as a valuable reference tool for reinforcing the concepts covered in the course. It also provides practice questions and exam tips to help students assess their knowledge and prepare for the final assessment.

Putting Knowledge to Work

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Putting Knowledge to Work

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The Phoenix Project

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Provides a practical and engaging introduction to IT management principles. It illustrates how IT departments can overcome common challenges and contribute to business success. While not a technical manual, it offers valuable insights into the importance of IT alignment with business goals, making it a useful supplement to the course material. It is particularly helpful for understanding the context and real-world applications of the IT concepts covered.

The Phoenix Project: A Novel About IT, DevOps, and...

Kindle Edition

Information Technology (IT) Fundamentals for Everyone

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

Traffic lights

Save this course

Reviews summary

Foundational it knowledge for non-technical roles

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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