Syllabus

College and Career Academy South

Computer Science Principles

MRS. EDWARDS (laura.edwards@carrollcountyschools.com)

Game Design Pathway

Course Description

How can computing change the world? What is computer science? Engage your creativity, demonstrate and build your problem solving ability all while connecting the relevance of computer science to the society! Computer Science (CS) Principles is an intellectually rich and engaging course that is focused on building a solid understanding and foundation in computer science. This course emphasizes the content, practices, thinking and skills central to the discipline of computer science. Through both its content and pedagogy, this course aims to appeal to a broad audience. The focus of this course will fall into these computational thinking practices: connecting computing, developing computational artifacts, abstracting, analyzing problems and artifacts, communicating, and collaborating.

Various forms of technologies will be used to expose students to resources and application of computer science. Professional communication skills and practices, problem-solving, ethical and legal issues, and the impact of effective presentation skills are enhanced in this course to prepare students to be college and career ready. Employability skills are integrated into activities, tasks, and projects throughout the course standards to demonstrate the skills required by business and industry.

Computer Science Principles is the second course in the pathways Programming and Computer Science in the Information Technology Cluster. Students enrolled in this course should have successfully completed Introduction to Digital Technology. (End of Pathway Assessment: Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA): HTML5 Application Developer Fundamentals Assessment)

Course Standards

IT-CSP – 1 Demonstrate employability skills required by business and industry.

IT- CSP – 2 Create digital artifacts that foster creative expression including programs, digital music, videos, images, documents, and combinations of these such as infographics, presentations, and web pages.

IT- CSP -3 Apply abstractions in digital data to explain how bits are grouped to represent higher-level abstractions such as numbers and characters.

IT- CSP -4 Design and create computer programs to process and extract information to gain insight and knowledge.

IT- CSP -5 Develop, express, implement, and analyze algorithms analytically and empirically.

IT- CSP -6 Create programs that translate human intention into computational artifacts including music, images, visualizations, and more while exploring the concepts, techniques and development used in writing programs.

IT- CSP -7 Gain insight into the operation of the Internet, study characteristics of the Internet and systems built upon it, and analyze important concerns, such as cybersecurity.

IT- CSP -8 Develop a logical argument from the many ways in which computing enables innovation and our methods for communicating, collaborating, problem solving, and doing business, and analyze the potential benefits and harmful effects of computing in a the way people think, work, live, and play.

IT- CSP -9 Explore how related student organizations are integral parts of career and technology education courses through leadership development, school and community service projects, entrepreneurship development, and competitive events.

Tentative Course Schedule (order of units subject to change)

1st Nine Weeks:

FBLA – leadership development, community service, and employability skills

The Internet

Digital Information

Algorithms and Programming

2nd Nine Weeks:

Employability Skills

Big Data and Privacy

Building Apps

Performance Tasks

Evaluation and Grading

Assignments

Classwork & Homework

Projects

Unit Tests

Quizzes

Final Exam

Grade Weights

Class Assessments

Daily Work, Quizzes

Summative Assessment

Projects, Unit Tests

Final Exams

Performance Objective

Grading Scale

A: 90 and above

B: 80 – 89

C: 70 – 79

F: 69 or below

Expectations for Academic Success

1) Complete daily classwork assignments

2) Participate in class discussions and ask questions

3) Participate constructively as a team member

4) Problem solve and accept challenges

5) Challenge yourself to continuously improve

Additional Requirements/Resources

Acceptable Computer Use Policy

& Network/Internet Agreement

Tutoring Available

Career Opportunities Related To the Course: Business/Industry: Technical Staff, Web Developer, Web Designer, Interactive Designer, Flash Developer, Graphic Designer, Art Director, Instructional Designer, Marketing Manager, Front End Developer, Creative Director, Project Manager, Freelance Graphic Designer

Policies and Procedures:

-Be prepared.

-Operate the computer as assigned during class.

-Be seated in desk on task when the tardy bell rings. Begin the daily start-up activity immediately.

-Maintain and care for school materials such as consoles, gaming tools, and computer equipment.

-Remain quiet when the teacher is talking and when students are asking questions.

-Treat everyone with courtesy and respect.

-If absent from class, it is your responsibility to get all make-up work within 3 days of the absence. Make-up work must be returned promptly to Mrs. Edwards to receive credit.

-DO NOT EAT OR DRINK NEAR COMPUTER EVER!!!

The syllabus may be updated as needed throughout the semester.

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