Frequently Asked Questions
Most questions can be answered by reviewing our Eligibility and Application page, but below are some questions that are often asked by interested teachers and schools.
Q. Does the Mobile CSP PD satisfy the College Board Summer Institute requirement to teach AP CSP?
Yes! Mobile CSP is endorsed by the College Board as an AP CSP curriculum and PD provider. The Mobile CSP PD can be considered an alternative to attending the College Board AP Summer Institute workshop. However, you may decide to participate in both.
Q. I am a teacher outside of the United States. Can I participate in the Mobile CSP PD?
Teachers outside the U.S. are welcome to participate in the PD, either at their own pace online at any point year-round, or concurrently with the online cohort that begins on June 19, 2017 (online) – you do not need to apply.
Q. I am a high school computer teacher at an independent school and do not hold a valid state teaching certificate. Can I still apply for the Mobile CS Principles PD?
Yes, independent school teachers are eligible to apply for either the Mobile CSP Professional Development (Non-Research) or the Mobile CSP Research Project. However, the latter requires that you teach the Mobile CSP course during the 2017-2018 school year (the school year immediately following the training).
Q. My school is planning to offer AP CSP, but the course is not scheduled to run until the 2018-2019 academic year. Can I still apply for the summer 2017 PD?
Yes, the non-research PD option is available for those who cannot commit to offering the course during the 2017-2018 academic year.
Q. I am offering the CSP course at the middle school level during 2017-2018. Can I still apply for the summer 2017 PD?
Yes, the non-research PD option is available for middle school teachers.
Q. Do I have to teach the course as Advanced Placement (AP)?
One of our primary goals is to broaden participation in computing, therefore we will accept applications from schools that wish to offer the Mobile CSP course as a non-AP course.
Q. When is the application deadline?
The deadline for applications for the Summer 2017 PD is March 1, 2017. Decisions will be sent out by March 15, 2017.
Q. I applied for the Mobile CSP PD, but haven’t received a response. Does this mean I wasn’t accepted?
If you submitted an application for the Mobile CSP PD by March 1, 2017, then you should hear back either way by March 15, 2017. If you submitted your application after the March 1st deadline, you will hear back within 3-4 business days informing you if you have received a spot on our waiting list. If you do not receive an form of communication within these time frames, please contact us directly at info@mobile-csp.org.
Q. How often do the online participants meet during the summer PD?
Teachers participating in the online professional development are required to attend an orientation about a month before the PD begins and then attend regular weekly meetings during the summer. Master teachers will be hosting 3 to 4 meetings per week and teachers are recommended to attend at least 2 of them, but are required to attend one.
Q. Will there be housing available at the regional PD sites?
If applying for a regional site, teachers are expected travel to and from that site each day. Travel and lodging are not included. Depending on the site and coordinators, they may be able to secure a discount for on-campus housing during the summer, if needed, but this is not guaranteed.
Q. How much of the curriculum will be covered during the Mobile CSP PD?
The four week PD covers the complete curriculum. Teachers complete the course as if they were students and also take time to discuss lesson plans and other pedagogical materials.
Q. What will be the depth of knowledge that will be covered? Will it be an overview?
The PD is in-depth enough that a teacher who has never taught CS before (or had prior programming experience) can take the PD and be able to teach the course during the academic year.
Q. What will the four week summer PD consist of?
During the four weeks the teachers will be introduced to Computer Science Principles and broadening participation in Computer Science; review the AP CSP Course and Exam Description; learn about best practices and Computer Science pedagogy; discuss logistics of running a Computer Science Principles course; work through the Mobile CSP course’s seven content units which are the same as those completed by the students during the academic year; maintain an online portfolio of their work; complete two Create Performance Tasks as well as grade sample Create and Explore Performance Tasks; complete the final exam as well as pre- and post-course questionnaires; receive support from a Master Teacher.