Welcome  

I am excited to welcome you to AP Computer Science Principles. While programming is a part of this course, the focus of study is much broader. Meant to be a general course in Computer Science (not just future CS majors), the curriculum focuses on computational thinking and five big ideas.

Computational Thinking

1. Computational Solution Design - Design and evaluate computational solutions for a purpose.

2. Algorithms & Program Development - Develop and implement algorithms.

3. Abstraction in Program Development - Develop programs that incorporate abstractions.

4. Code Analysis - Evaluate and test algorithms and programs.

5. Computational Innovations - Investigate computing innovations.

6. Responsible Computing - Contribute to an inclusive, safe, collaborative, and ethical computing culture.

Big Ideas

1. Creative Development – When developing computing innovations, developers can use a formal, iterative design process or a less rigid process of experimentation. While using either approach, developers will encounter phases of investigating and reflecting, designing, prototyping, and testing. Additionally, collaboration is an important tool at any phase of development, because considering multiple perspectives allows for improvement of innovations.

2. Data – Data are central to computing innovations because they communicate initial conditions to programs and represent 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 those 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.

3. Algorithms & Programming – 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.

4. Computer Systems & Networks – 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.

5. Impact of Computing – 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 the potential impacts of our programs and be responsible for the consequences. As computer users, we need to understand any potential beneficial or harmful effects and how to protect ourselves and our privacy when using a computer.

AP Computer Science Principles provides a general introduction to computer science, the ever-increasing role of technology in society, the historical development of computing, and an opportunity to do some hands-on programming by building mobile apps you can code on any computer and run on your phone or in a web browser.

What is involved?

1. Students are following the “Project Stem” curriculum, one of several approved approaches for to teach this course. The link above is our online textbook for the course, and is completely self-contained so students can keep up if absent.

2. Students learn to program in various different programming languages and have a choice in which to use for their AP Performance Task! We will use web based software that is free to use and come with a rich built-in library of  functions that allow us to build fun, functional applications.

   • App Lab, Code.org's app creator app

   • Thunkable, a spin-off of App Inventor is another platform with capabilities very similar to those found in the parent language.

   • Javascript, Java, and Python - build in Replit

3. Students learn broad computer science principles applicable to multiple fields.

4. AP assessment from the College Board and Course Description:

   • Students submit a performance task called "Create" to the College Board by Wednesday, April 30, 2025 as part of their AP grade – this open-ended assignment allow students to work in an area that interest them personally! The task requires programming ability and technical writing skills. This task accounts for 30% of students' AP grade.

   • Students take a 3-hour multiple-choice and written exam on Thursday, May 15 at noon as part of their AP grade. This exam accounts for the remaining 70% of students' AP grade.

Grading

Students grades will be broken into categories, but final grades are computed using total points

• Classwork/Homework

• Code.org coursework

• Reflections

• Projects

• Tests/Quizzes

• Web-based work (Albert, AP Classroom, etc.)

• Final Exam

  • Weighted as 10% of your grade (other marking periods now 22.5% apiece)

  • Exemption: (B-) or better each marking period and you take the AP Exam

  • Given the week of the AP exam in class (2 days)

Classroom Environment

• Schoology – Online classroom for announcements, handouts, links, assignments, discussions, assessments, etc. This is our daily hub for the course, as everything for the course is housed or linked out to from here.

• Students always have something constructive to be working on! The course site has links for extra practice and enrichment, so take advantage of what is offered.

• Homework, reflections, and projects give students an opportunity to work on clear, precise, technical writing – big part of AP grade.

• Large chunks of time are given (by requirement) for students to work on their submitted project to College Board – the teacher is allowed to give minimal assistance on their project and write-up.

Tips

• Stay up-to-date with work - you should have minimal homework if you use class time effectively.

• Partner work is good and bad – you can learn a lot from your neighbor, but do not become overly reliant

• Be a go-getter – research independently before asking for help

• For AP project submission, keep the project simple and concentrate on a thorough write-up – a great app may not receive full credit because the explanation lacks – learn to self-promote!

• When designing apps, not spend too much time searching for the “perfect image” or “perfect sound” – you can waste hours on this!

Extra Help

If you have questions or need help, seek help earlier rather than later!

• Math Center (room 213) during lunch periods is always staffed by a math teacher, 

• I am available before, during, and after school for extra help by appointment - these times vary with the rotating schedule and my coaching responsibilities, but we can typically work it out (email or see me in-person to set-up an appointment), possibly even over Google Meet

Mobile Phones, Field Trips, Absences

Mobile phones, smart watches, and earbuds are generally not allowed to be on your person in class - please use the numbered storage location located in the room and remember to retrieve your phone after class or do not bring them at all. In the spirit of "Away for the Day", you will not be permitted to be on your phone at all. This policy and logistics will likely evolve as Ramsey's newly adopted student cell phone policy is put into play at the high school. Please familiarize yourself with the district's official policy.

Field trips are an important part of your educational experience meant to complement your studies in the classroom. That being said, it is crucial that you keep up with your work when you are not in the classroom. Plan ahead for such trips, and be sure you study the notes, talk to your classmates or your teacher for details.

Absences are inevitable, but try to keep them to a minimum. Do your best to keep up with your work when you are out, and communicate with your teacher  to develop a timetable for makeup work when applicable.