BASIS International School Park Lane Harbour
Instructor: Neil Whitehead
Email: neil.whitehead@basisinternationalph.com
Student Hours: Wednesday 4:30 – 5:30 pm
Parent Hours: by appointment in BG Cloud
COURSE DESCRIPTION
AP Computer Science Principles is an introductory college- level computing course that introduces students to the breadth of the field of computer science. Students learn to design and evaluate solutions and apply computer science to solve problems through the development of algorithm and programs.
GRADING POLICY
The grade for each grading period will be determined as follows:
70% Major Assignments
30% Minor Assignments
Total: 100% per grading period
Major Assessments may include, but are not limited to tests, quizzes, projects. Minor Assessments may include, but are not limited to homework, participation, vocab quizzes, in class assignments.
Final Grade Calculation: If students decide to take the AP Exam, the final grade will be calculated according to the Parent/Student Handbook. Otherwise, the final grade will be calculated as a weighted average with 20% per trimester and 40% for the AP Alternative.
No late work will be accepted unless previously excused by Mr. Whitehead. In the event of an excused absence the missing work will be dealt with according to the Parent-Student Handbook. However, students are strongly encouraged to do ALL assignments. Late homework will not count towards their grade but will be taken into consideration at the end of the semester if a student is on the border between two grades.
Homework
Homework is assigned daily and generally consists of explorations, exercises and programs on the homework. Homework is graded on completion and accuracy. There are three requirements for homework to be considered complete:
- All problems must be attempted with appropriate work shown and written in pencil.
- The homework review process must include checking all questions.
- Homework must be turned in on time. Homework is due at the start of each class.
Please be aware: Students MUST complete homework if they are to succeed in this class.
Tests
Tests are given weekly (every Monday) and will be cumulative, potentially covering all topics covered in class. Students who are disruptive, who are caught using materials/technology that have been forbidden during a test, or other academic dishonesty violations will receive a zero for that test. If a student misses a test because of an excused absence, she/he must see the teacher immediately to schedule a make-up test. Students must complete the missing test within a week of the initial exam date. Failure to complete a missing test results in a grade of zero. Make-up tests are completed outside of the classroom time and have the same time constraints as in-class tests of 50 minutes. It is the student’s responsibility to remember to turn in missed assignments and make up missed tests/quizzes. Retake tests are not permitted in AP Calculus classes. However, the mock AP exam grade can replace one test grade if a student demonstrates knowledge at the end of the semester.
CLASSROOM POLICIES
In general, students are expected to: be on time, be prepared, keep an organized binder, attend class with their Communication Journal, complete the problem set (homework), ask questions, follow directions, work hard to stay on task, treat others with respect, promote a learning environment, and speak English.
Academic Integrity
Common forms of academic dishonesty in this specific class may include: copying from the internet, copying from the solution manual, copying from another student, re-using your own work multiple times, or using equation solver apps. Any suspicion of academic dishonesty will be immediately referred to the Dean of Students and treated as a discipline violation (see Parent-Student Handbook). Cheating will not benefit you, especially in computer science, since the concepts build upon themselves.
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS
This course will be taught entirely web based. Students will use the following websites for instruction.
Code.org
Mrwhitehead.com
Microsoft Teams
AP Central
Khan Academy
School Supplies
Students need to bring the following supplies to class every day
- Laptop computer
- Communication Journal
- Whiteboard marker
- Pencil or pen
- Notebook
Other Information
Information within this syllabus is subject to change based on the teachers’ discretion. Students will be notified in advance by the teacher if changes occur.
Student Support Hours
Student hours are an opportunity for students to individually discuss academic progress such as grades or missing or incomplete work. Students are encouraged to communicate with the teacher prior to convey the purpose of the meeting. Student hours will be held 1 hour per week on Thursday
Parent Appointments
If parents would like to meet with the teacher to discuss any questions or concerns, parents must schedule an appointment on BG Cloud at least 24 hours in advance (please make note if a translator will be needed).
COURSE OUTLINE
Big Ideas:
The five big ideas of the course encompass foundational ideas in the field of computer science, and are denoted here by B1 through B5:
Big Idea 1: Creative Development (CRD)
When developing computing innovations, developers can use a formal, iterative design process or experimentation. While using either approach, developers will encounter phases of investigating and reflecting, designing, prototyping, and testing. Additionally, collaboration is an important tool to use at any phase of development because considering multiple perspectives allows for improvement of innovations.
Big Idea 2: Data (DAT)
Data is central to computing innovations because it communicates initial conditions to programs and represents new knowledge. Computers consume data, transform data, and produce new data, allowing users to create new information or knowledge to solve problems through the interpretation of this data. Computers store data digitally, which means that the data must be manipulated in order to be presented in a useful way to the user.
Big Idea 3: Algorithms and Programming (AAP)
Programmers integrate algorithms and abstraction to create programs for creative purposes and to solve problems. Using multiple program statements in a specified order, making decisions, and repeating the same process multiple times are the building blocks of programs. Incorporating elements of abstraction, by breaking problems down into interacting pieces, each with their own purpose, makes writing complex programs easier. Programmers need to think algorithmically and use abstraction to define and interpret processes that are used in a program.
Big Idea 4: Computing Systems and Networks (CSN)
Computer systems and networks are used to transfer data. One of the largest and most commonly used networks is the Internet. Through a series of protocols, the Internet can be used to send and receive information and ideas throughout the world. Transferring and processing information can be slow when done on a single computer but leveraging multiple computers to do the work at the same time can significantly shorten the time it takes to complete tasks or solve problems.
Big Idea 5: Impact of Computing (IOC)
Computers and computing have revolutionized our lives. To use computing safely and responsibly, we need to be aware of privacy, security, and ethical issues. As programmers, we need to understand how our programs will be used and be responsible for the consequences. As computer users, we need to understand how to protect ourselves and our privacy when using a computer.
The AP Create Performance Task:
The through course assessment is a performance task designed to gather evidence of student proficiency in the learning objectives. The AP Create Performance Tasks (PT) is an in-class assessment, administered by the teacher, that allows students to exemplify their learning through an authentic, “real-world” creation. In the Create Performance Task, students will design and implement a program to solve a problem, enable innovation, explore personal interest, or express creativity. Their development process should include exploration, investigation, reflection, design, implementation, and testing your program. For more information about the AP Create Performance Task, refer to the curriculum framework. Students will gain the experience necessary to complete the Create Performance Task in class. Each unit comes with practice PTs in which students will research topics in computing, and create their own digital artifacts. Sufficient time is set aside in the course for students to prepare for and complete the Create Performance Task.