After conducting a teacher survey and several teacher focus groups, the Mobile CSP team has decided to create and offer a pilot Advanced Placement Computer Science A course with professional development. Working in collaboration with the National Center for CS Education, Mobile CSP would like to support teachers transitioning from teaching CS Principles to teaching CS A.
Course Overview (provided by the College Board)
AP Computer Science A is equivalent to a first-semester, college-level course in computer science. The course introduces students to computer science with fundamental topics that include problem solving, design strategies and methodologies, organization of data (data structures), approaches to processing data (algorithms), analysis of potential solutions, and the ethical and social implications of computing. The course emphasizes both object-oriented and imperative problem solving and design using Java language. These techniques represent proven approaches for developing solutions that can scale up from small, simple problems to large, complex problems. The AP Computer Science A course curriculum is compatible with many CS1 courses in colleges and universities.
Who is this opportunity for?
This opportunity is currently available for teachers who:
- have successfully completed the Mobile CSP PD and taught the Mobile CSP course at their schools AND
- are planning to offer CS A in the 2019-2020 academic year AND
- are new/inexperienced with the CS A framework and/or Java programming.
Teachers may use the resources with their students to provide an introduction to Java programming after having completed the Mobile CSP course (AP, non-AP, or CE).
Curriculum
The PD will use the Runestone Java 2019 Course (currently being adapted from Barb Ericson's Java Review book and updated to align with College Board curriculum framework) and College Board resources. Part 1 of the PD will cover Java Basics including primitive data types, selection (if statements), iteration (loops), objects and classes, and arrays. Part 2 of the PD will cover Java data structures (ArrayList, 2D arrays), algorithms (search, sort), inheritance, and recursion, as well as practice with AP CS A free response questions and exam questions. This curriculum is free and open to anyone to use under a Creative Commons license.
Teacher Resource Website: This Google site contains materials to assist teachers with delivering the curriculum to their students.
Professional Development
Mobile CSP will offer an 8 week online pilot PD in 2019 for up to 30 teachers.
- Part 1: Intro to Java | May 6 – June 16
- Part 2: Intermediate Java & CS A | July 15 – July 21 and July 29 – August 4
The PD includes support from a Master Teacher during the PD and throughout the academic year.
Note: Teachers who are new/inexperienced with Java should complete both Part 1 and 2 of the PD. Teachers who are familiar with Java may audit Part 1 and complete Part 2 of the PD.
Apply Now!
Teachers interested in participating should complete the online application form by April 15, 2019. Once your application is approved, you will be asked to submit a $100 non-refundable registration fee to secure your spot in the PD.
Collaborators
The National Center for Computer Science Education is partnering with Beryl Hoffman (Elms College), Barb Ericson (University of Michigan), and the National Math and Science Initiative to expand existing student materials and create new teacher support materials for the Advanced Placement Computer Science A course.