Sunday, May 14, 2017

AP Computer Science Principles: Syllabus and Timing

One of the classes I taught this past year was Advanced Placement Computer Science Principles. The format of the class was more college-level than high school and I believe that if done correctly, the students can get a lot out of it. I decided to post my syllabus and timing sheet so that any other teachers or parents can run through the course as well. You will notice that I use a lot of outside sources (crash course, bbc, cs4fn, csunplugged, etc.), these are great stand alone or in sequence opportunities for anyone interested in CS or someone who just wants to understand what John Oliver is ranting about.

I'm going to take off the contact info for my school, but I'll leave all the other non-fun bits of the syllabus in case a teacher wants to grab them. I'm all about sharing resources, so if you see something you like on my teaching pages, feel free to grab it.



AP CSP Syllabus

Policies and Procedures:

Class Attendance and Participation

Regular class attendance is expected and required: Students must come to class prepared to work on problems. Excessive absences or tardiness will likely result in a lower grade.

Distractions: 

Cell Phones are prohibited during class. Your attention and presence is required while we are in class together. Sleeping, texting, or other activities unrelated to the class will distract you and your classmates from important material.

Tardiness: 

Class begins promptly at the start time. Work and Quizzes begin at that time. Students who miss work, exams, or quizzes due to late entry will not be permitted to receive credit. If something unavoidable results in tardiness, be respectful to the class. You will need to enter the classroom quietly and without distraction.

Quizzes, Examinations, and Projects:

Quizzes: 

Quizzes are given at the end of each BBC Lesson. These Quizzes are online and able to be repeated if the student does not do well. The quizzes double as our class participation points. These quizzes may be completed at any time during the grading period they are assigned for full points.

Examinations: 

At the end of each BBC Unit there will be a cumulative Test. These will be paper tests the students must turn in by the end of the class period for a grade. No late grades for exams will be given.

Make-up: 

Make-up for exams may be granted at the discretion of the instructor. The following conditions must be met for make-up exam:

  • You have made a prior arrangement with me, and I have granted approval, OR
  • You have contacted me at least 24 hours prior to the exam, and I have received and acknowledged the situation. Additional documentation may be required, OR
  • A medical or family emergency has occurred and you have contacted the school to arrange for the student to be out that day.

Missed exams that do not qualify for a make-up will receive a grade of zero.

Projects: 

All projects have hard deadlines. These include the Job Shadows, Community Service Project, and Create Task. The Explore Project will go in as the Mid-Term Exam and the Create Task as the Final Exam. The AP Exam has its own deadline for the Multiple Choice Exam and that will be made known as soon as it is posted.

Classwork and Assignments: 

Classwork will vary by day, but should be completed by the due date posted for each assignment. Some assignments may have hard deadlines because they interact with groups outside of the classroom environment. The Community Service Project is an example of this. Other projects, such as the Explore Task or the Professional Dress Days, may have more flexibility. All projects and assignments should be completed by the dates given upon assignment. Any concerns should be brought to the instructor before the due date of the assignment for review.

Class schedule:

Semester 1

  • M/W BBC Lessons
  • T/R Coding via Earsketch/AppLab
  • F Next Generation Technology Challenge Project

Semester 2

  • M-W BBC Lessons & Coding Lessons
  • R/F MC Review and Create Task

Lessons:

Beginning Activity: Aye-Aye Lesson (3 days)

  • Students break up into groups and create an Aye-Aye from bag of random items including google-eyes, paper and a streamer.
  • Students research the Aye-Aye, its living conditions, threats, and possible solutions.
  • Students decide on a problem and a solution to the problem that involves a societal and a technology component.
  • Students create a video on their chosen items including a script.
  • Students review their video and the Explore project grading rubric to see where they could make changes.

Daily Activity: Multiple Choice Question from the AP Prep Book

  • Teacher gives 5 questions (one each day) from the Sample Test Booklet and students try to come up with the correct answer.
  • Teacher then reviews the question and the answer with the class.

Lessons-BBC BiteSize Computer Science and ICT:

  • Teacher alternates between topics on the Computer Science page (http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/subjects/z34k7ty) and the ICT Systems page (http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/subjects/zqmtsbk). Students should be able to get through 1-2 lessons per class period.
  • Assessments: Each topic page has a subsequent quiz associated with it. Most ICT lessons also have an activity associated.
  • Cumulative tests: Teacher can pull questions from previous lessons and include one or two of the daily review questions to assess student comprehension as they move forward.

Vocabulary: 

Each topic page has an associated glossary, which students can copy and paste or print for their binders.

Supplemental materials: 

Videos, books, projects and activities can be found on:

Topics- (CS for Computer Science and ICT for Information and Communications Technology)

CS: Computers in society
  • Introducing computers
  • Reliability and backing up
  • Ethics and law
ICT systems
  • ICT systems and their usage
  • Implementing a new computer system
  • Evaluation of software and hardware
CS: Software
  • Software concepts
  • Operating systems
ICT: Software
  • Operating systems, application software and programming languages
  • Applications and programming languages
  • User interfaces
  • Word processing and desktop publishing
  • Graphics software
  • Presentation software and web design
CS: Hardware
  • CPU and memory
  • Peripherals
ICT: Hardware
  • Input devices, processing and output devices
  • Data storage
CS: Networks
  • Network hardware
  • The internet
  • Web pages and web apps
  • Security
ICT: Networks and communications
  • Network types and topologies
  • The internet
  • Email
ICT: Legal framework
  • Data Protection Act
  • Computer Misuse Act
  • ICT copyright 
ICT: Risks and implications of ICT
  • Computer viruses
  • Moral and social issues related to ICT
  • How ICT has led to changing lifestyles
  • How ICT has led to changing work patterns
  • Health and safety when working with computers
CS: Programming
  • Programming software and the IDE
    • Sample Activity: CodeMaster Board Game
    • EarSketch/AppLab
  • Introducing algorithms
  • Algorithms and control flow
  • Constants, variables and data types
  • Boolean logic
  • Data structures
  • Functions, procedures and modules
  • Development and testing
  • Raspberry Pi and Arduino
CS: Binary and data representation
  • Introducing binary
  • Numbers and binary addition
  • Hexadecimal and character sets
  • Encoding images
  • Encoding audio and video
  • Instructions
CS: Databases
  • Introducing databases
  • Relational databases
  • Queries and SQL
  • Organizing data and handling external files
  • Database management systems
ICT: Data and databases
  • Data, information and knowledge
  • Databases and data capture
  • Data validation and verification
  • Data security
  • Data transfer
ICT: Measurement and control
  • Computer control
  • Logo computer programming language
  • System flowcharts
  • Data logging
ICT: Modelling and simulation
  • Modelling with spreadsheets
  • Computer simulation
Next Generation Technology Challenge-Is a class-wide activity that can double as the students Create Project (for Pinellas County, Florida Students)
  • Teacher introduces the project (https://www.pinellaseducation.org/students/next-generation-tech) and has the students break into groups (3-5 students).
  • Students spend 1 week deciding on their project and filling out the Project Charter on the website.
  • Each week students work on the project on Fridays. Teacher gives feedback only on uploading or planning. Students are encouraged to complete as much of the project as possible.
  • Coding:
  • Books: 
  • Teacher introduces EarSketch and has students register on the site. Students choose Javascript or Python to work in. Students can then choose basic coding or snap block format. 
  • Students start by reading through the first Unit. There are short questions at the end lesson.
  • Teacher helps students through the text, but students lead the creation of projects.
  • Teacher introduces Code.Org AppLab
  • Class watches videos and creates the samples in AppLab
  • Students use AppLab or Alternative Program to create their Create Task

Explore Project:

  • Teacher gives mini practice assignments, such as article review journal entries and discussions within the class.
  • A list is made as students research and find out new technologies. Teacher refers to various online sources for new technology.
  • BBC Tech News is a good source (http://www.bbc.com/news/technology).
  • Teacher gives Essay Tests with the Explore Grading Rubric requirements.
  • Teacher allows two-weeks for students to complete and upload final Explore project at end of Semester 1 (Mid-Term exam).

Create Project:

  • Students can use the Next Generation Technology Challenge project (or portion thereof) the EarSketch Project, or the AppLab.
  • Teacher gives the Create Grading Rubric and three-weeks for the students to complete and upload final Create project by end of Grading Period 3.
  • EarSketch and AppLab has share functionality to allow pairs to start the project together and then break apart to work on individual components.
  • Teacher reviews and grades final project for Final Test Grade.

Job Shadow Project:

  • There will be two job shadows during the school year (one each semester). The job shadow instructions will be posted separately along with a grading rubric. An Alternative Assignment and grading rubric will also be posted. Please refer to those sheets for instructions and grading.
  • Job Shadow dates: 11/15/16 & 2/2/17.

Professional Dress:

  • Each grading period there will be a day where students will need dress professionally for the entire school day. Students may make up this assignment if they are unable to dress out on the day specified until the end of the grading period.
  • Professional Dress dates: 9/7/16, 12/6/16, 1/25/17, and 4/19/17.

Corporate Social Responsibility Project:

  • The CSR Project (aka Relay For Life) is a departmental project where students participate in Relay For Life (American Cancer Society). The assignment and grading rubric will be given in the Second Semester after a date for the event has been posted. An Alternative Assignment is given for this project as well. The requirements and grading rubric for the alternative project will also be posted at the same time. The deadline for this project is the date of the event, May 5th.
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