AP Computer Science Principles 2016-2017
Mrs. Wei
Course Description:
You have used computers your whole life. Mostly you don’t even think about it. Your phone has several computers in it, your iPad, your Kindle, your TV, your car has several in it unless it is an antique, and on and on. Most devices with an on/off switch contain computers these days. And they continue to be more widely used – planes fly without pilots, vehicles can drive on highways autonomously, social media like Facebook and Twitter add features every month that allow new forms of interaction.
That list probably contains no surprises to you – it describes how the world is. You’re doing just fine with today’s technology. Luckily, this class isn’t about how the world is. The world will change. This class is about what you need to know for the world that hasn’t yet arrived, and which you will create – regardless of your chosen major or intended career.
The course is unique in its focus on fostering student creativity. Students are encouraged to apply creative processes when developing computational artifacts and to think creatively while using computer software and other technology to explore questions that interest them. Students will also develop effective communication and collaboration skills, working individually and collaboratively to solve problems, and discussing and writing about the importance of these problems and the impacts to their community, society, and the world.
What does this course offer to you?
In this course, you will gain the basic level of understanding computers and computation that we think ALL college graduates and high school students should have – to be prepared to create the future. Last century, competence was defined by the three Rs: reading, writing and arithmetic. They are required to pursue a professional career in any discipline. This is the 21st century, and it’s clear that computing is poised to permeate not only our professional work, but also our society. So think of understanding and skills of computing as a fourth 'R', necessary for any discipline. After this class, you will stand out from other college and high school graduates in your preparation to work with new technologies of the future.
Through this course, I hope you will develop the following traits that all future employers’ value:
●Analysis Skills/ Problem Solving: “Programming allows a person to think more logically, thinking in order and debugging allows the user to gain valuable problem solving skills. Aspiring to go to law school, medical school, or any other majors, thinking logically is extremely important.”
●Confidence: “I'm able to figure things out on a computer that I never would have thought that I could do.”
●Teamwork: “Through working in pairs, I know how to think and act the best for the team since we achieve more by collaborating together.”
●View of Technology: “Now, every time I find myself playing a video game, I actually understand what makes it work. That these games are not magically produced, that it takes time, skill, and sufficient funds to create these games. I appreciate these games more than before taking this class.”
●Communication Skills: “In today’s technologically-centered world, designing a program gives us valuable exposure to discussing things technically with other people and explaining clearly what we are trying to do.”
How will you (and the teacher) know if you are making progress in your learning?
The course offers you a number of opportunities to get feedback on whether you are learning what you need to know. Learning computing isn’t done by reading about it. Moreover, we care more about your development of analysis and communication skills regarding computing than whether you can “just do it”. For each topic, you will be able to get practice and feedback in the following ways:
●Portfolio: You will develop adigital and notebook portfolioshowcasing their learning.
●Exploratory modules and projects with on-line book:You will complete exploratory projects based on modules that guide you in understanding a topic by creating programs on the computer to get the basics down.
●Guided Practice Assignments: The instructor, your classmates, and you will work on creating projects together in the computer lab based on the topic you are learning. This will reinforce the computing principle you are learning from the exploratory modules in the on-line book.
●Independent Assignments Lab: You will be expected to demonstrate your mastery of the concepts from the on-line book modules by completing labs and projects. You are expected to come prepared to lab -- having done the relevant exploratory projects and assignments and having engaged with and learned the material in lecture and on-line modules. You are expected to complete your lab during the session, but you will be able to get assistance from not only tutors, but your fellow students. Labs and projects will be posted in advance and you are encouraged to look over them before you come to lab.
●Quizzes (Questions):At the beginning of lecture, you will take a quiz answering a few basic questions from the homework – this is your incentive read the on-line book to do the exploratory projects and provide feedback to you on whether you are ready to attend lecture.
●Discussion Peer Instruction Questions: During lecture, you will deepen your understanding of computing concepts and develop technical analysis and communication skills by discussing challenging questions in a team of 2~4 students, guided by the instructor.
●Technology and Society:You will be given various activities exploring issues on involving technology and society. These activities will require you to use discussion forums, Internet resource finding/analysis, and wiki development.
●Performance Tasks:The through-course component is comprised of two performance tasks — separately, these tasks require students to engage withcreating a computer programandexploring a computer innovation.
●Midterm and Final: a midterm and final will be given in order for you to demonstrate mastery of the topics and concepts presented in class.
Text:
UTeach CS Principles*
Learn to Program with Scratch ISBN: 978-1-59327-543-3
Blown to Bits :
Fast Track to a 5: Preparing for AP® Computer Science Principles Examination ISBN-13:9781337288828
Required Materials:
Binder/Composition Notebook/Pen/Pencil
Grading Policy:
10% Homework
20 % Quizzes/Unit Exam
30 % Lab work/Group work/Programming/Module Q’s/Summer Assignments
20% Performance/Explore Tasks
20% Final Exam
Citizenship Grades and Attendance Policy - Students’ citizenship grades will be based on the following:
●Attendance.
●Expected Student Behaviors.
●Student effort in class.
●Student materials.
Redoing Assignments
●You can redo some assignments and only if you got a D or an F grade.
The highest grade you can receive is 70% or a C-,if you do it correctly. The instructor will decide which assignments can be redone.
●You have up to one week to redo the assignment. You can only redo the assignmentafter school or at lunchtime if the room is open.
●Take responsibility for yourself. It is up to you to make up or redo assignments! It is, after all, your grade.
Late Policy: To earn the score your quality of work deserves, work must be turned in ON THE DUE DATE, unless I receive an excused absence.
Cheating/Plagiarism:
Cheating and/or any form of plagiarism will not be tolerated and will result in a ZERO on that assignment. Copying off of your own past projects (anything completed before the start of this class) can be a form of plagiarism if not cited, and it will not be tolerated.
Classroom Expectations: ✷✷WORK HARD AND BE NICE TO PEOPLE ✷✷
⏭ BE RESPECTFUL & COOPERATIVE ⏭ BE RESPONSIBLE ⏭ BE POSITIVE ⏭ BE DETERMINED⏭
Required Links
AP Exam information
Schoology / join code: HD9SP-XNRP3P2 - P5- PGXCP-DWBPP
UTeach CS Principles Textbook :
Remind.com Join Instruction: For Period 2 - text @gbddh to the number 81010
For Period 5 - text @hf6g8g to the number 81010
AP Computer Science Principles 2016-2017
Mrs. Wei
Syllabus Contract
Please review the course syllabus with your parent or guardian. Review the following notes below, and then sign the document. The contract is due one cycle after it is assigned. (For example, if it is assigned on an A day, it is due the next A day that we meet)
●Students will show respect for everyone in the class.
●One person talks at a time. When the teacher or a student is addressing the class, they deserve your attention, so please make every effort to respect this request.
●Students are expected to contribute to the atmosphere of the class in a positive manner. Calling out, making fun of others, being sarcastic or disruptive in any way will not be tolerated.
●Students are expected to work on material for this course only.
●Students are expected to turn work in a timely manner. Late work will not be accepted.
●All work will be saved in the flash drive, posted on Schoology page or submit to Google classroom. If you have trouble locating a missed assignment, it is your responsibility to ask me to help you so that you may complete missing work.
We have read the Contract and Syllabus, and understand all the rules of this class.
STUDENT’S NAME (PRINTED): ______
STUDENT’S SIGNATURE: ______
STUDENT’S E - MAIL: ______
PARENT’S NAME (PRINTED): ______
PARENT’S SIGNATURE: ______
PARENT’s PHONE/E - MAIL: ______