Course: AP Computer Science Principles

Daily Resources & Lesson Plans


DATE	TOPIC	LEARNING INTENTIONS	POWERSCHOOL UPDATE
Fri 24 Mar	Revision - Jeopardy Game and Team Competion	Click Here
Wed 22 Mar	Revision - Jeopardy Game and Team Competion	Click Here
16 -22 Mar +	Exam Corrections and Personal Targets
15 March	Binary Search, Mock Analysis and Revision	Click Here
14 March Onwards	End of Course Revision - AP Central MCQ Practice	Click Here
Wed 8 Mar	End of Course Revision	Click Here
Fri 3 Mar	Networks - TCP/IP, UDP, Routing, Redundancy	Click Here
Wed 1 Mar	Networks	Click Here
Tue 28 Feb	Kahoot quiz - Crypto and Compression	Click Here
Wed 22 Feb	Mr Mj Absent (Covid) - Revise, Preapre for Exams.
Fri 10 Feb	Create Task - Write up and Assistance	Click Here
Wed 1 Feb	Create Task - Write up and Assistance	Click Here
Tue 31 Jan	Create Task - Written Responses - Full Draft	Click Here
Fri 27 Jan	Create Task - Written Responses - Full Draft	Click Here
Wed 25 Jan	Create Task - Written Responses - Full Draft	Click Here
Tue 24 Jan	Create Task - Written Responses - Full Draft	Click Here
11-24 Jan	Create Task	Click Here
Tue 10 Jan	Create Task [Week 4]	Click Here	Updated
Wed 7 Dec	Create Task Proposals + Bubble Sort	Click Here
Tue 6 Dec	Array Practice + Bubble Sort	Click Here	Updated
2 Dec	MCQ Test (40 mins + 20 Minutes for Resource Students)	Click Here
Wed 30 Nov	Array Revision + Self Reflections	Click Here
Tue 29 Nov	Arrays Consolidation and Exercise	Click Here
TEST NOTIFICATION: 2nd December MCQ - Click Here
Fri 25 Nov	Arrays	Click Here
Tue 22 Nov	Arrays	Click Here	Updated
Wed 16 Nov	AP Create Task - General Requirements	Click Here
Mon 15 Nov	Functions	Click Here
Fri 11 nov	Private Study - 11th Grade Field Trip - Dorking Hall - Safe Drive Stay Alive
Wed 9 Nov	Further functions and user-defined library classes	Click Here
Tue 8 Nov	Further functions and user-defined library classes	Click Here	Updated
Wed 2 Nov	Practice with using and applying Functions	Click Here
Tue 1 Nov	Understanding Functions	Click Here
Tue 18 Oct	Iterations - For Loop / Do While	Click Here	Updated
Fri 14 Oct	Iterations - For Loop	Click Here
Wed 12 Oct	While Loops - Password App	Click Here	Updated
Mon 10 Oct	While Loops	Click Here
Work To complete during Mr MJ Absence: Click Here
Fri 23 Sep	IF, THEN, ELSE, ELSE IF	Click Here
Wed 21 Sept	Branching & Decision Making	Click Here
Fri 16 Sep	Truth Tables and Boolean Logic	Click Here	Updated
Wed 14 Sep	Binary & Hex Competition	Click Here
Tue 13 Sep	Binary & Hexadecimal	Click Here
Fri 9 Sep	Solving Problems using Data Types	Click Here
Wed 7 Sep	Boolean, Char, and Problem Solving in Java	Click here
Tues 6 Sep	User Input with Scanner()	Click here	Updated
Fri 2 Sept	Using & Applying Data Types	Click here
Wed 31 August	Using Data Types	Click here
Tues 30th Aug	Publishing Assessments	Click here
Wed 24th Aug	Bluej IDE & "Hello World"	Click here
Tues 23rd Aug	Getting Connected, Accounts, Assessment	Click here

Course Overview & Assessment

Advanced Placement Computer Science Principles is an AP Computer Science course and examination offered by the College Board to high school students as an opportunity to earn college credit for a college-level computing course.
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 to apply computer science to solve problems through the development of algorithms and programs. They incorporate abstraction into programs and use data to discover new knowledge. Students also explain how computing innovations and computing systems—including the internet—work, explore their potential impacts, and contribute to a computing culture that is collaborative and ethical.
AP Computer Science Principles introduces students to the breadth of the field of computer science. In this course, students will learn to design and evaluate solutions and to apply computer science to solve problems through the development of algorithms and programs. They will incorporate abstraction into programs and use data to discover new knowledge. Students will also explain how computing innovations and computing systems, including the Internet, work, explore their potential impacts, and contribute to a computing culture that is collaborative and ethical.
Participation in Computer Science at ACS Cobham appeals to students through practical activities and their enjoyment of learning about and using computers. Students will be prepared for future developments and directions in the exciting and challenging field of Computer Science. They can develop an interest in, enjoyment of and critical reflection about computer technology as an integral part of modern society.
Prerequisites
It is recommended that students in the AP Computer Science Principles course have successfully completed a first-year high school algebra course with a strong foundation of basic linear functions, composition of functions, and problem-solving strategies that require multiple approaches and collaborative efforts. In addition, students should be able to use a Cartesian (x, y) coordinate system to represent points on a plane. It is important that students and their advisers understand that any significant computer science course builds upon a foundation of mathematical reasoning that should be acquired before attempting such a course.
Prior computer science experience is required to take this course at ACS Cobham and so students must have completed our Computer Java course first, or an equivalent course such as IGCSE Computer Science (Grade C) using Java. All students must have at at-least Mathematics IM1 Standard, Grade 4, or IGCSE C, to enrol in this course.
Assessment Overview
The AP Computer Science Principles Exam assesses student understanding of the computational thinking practices and learning objectives outlined in the course framework. The exam consists of the Create performance task and an end-of-course AP Exam. The Create performance task requires at least 12 hours of dedicated class time for students to complete. The end-of-course exam is 2 hours long and includes 70 multiple-choice questions.
Learning Enrichment and Challenge in Computer Science at ACS Cobham
In Computer Science, we integrate several opportunities for enriched learning and provide a sustained challenge for all students:
Assessment Plan - S1
Assessment Plan - S2
College Board - Course Overview [PDF]
College Board - Subject Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
Computational Thinking Description
Interesting contests for inventors with tricks and surprises.
to gain experience in computational thinking
working together in small groups to break down complex tasks into simpler components
work together to understand the information given and identify critical features
construct solutions and agree on the right decisions for solving the task
manages time efficiently as a group
engages in competitive teamwork
The AP Computer Science Principles course framework included in the course and exam description outlines distinct skills from computational thinking practices that students should practice and develop throughout the year—skills that will help them learn to think and act like computer scientists. Emphasis is placed on creativity and collaboration as pedagogical strategies to be used to develop a diverse, appealing, and inclusive classroom environment.

Enhancement and Enrichment Options

Enhancement & Enrichment Options

Students who have previously studied and completed the Computer Java course with Mr. MJ already have mastery of Java at a higher level. To support extension and challenges for each of these students the following plans are in place"

Tasks for Jack and Harrison

Revision of previous Java skills:
- Data Types and Solving Problems
- Selection
- Iteration with While and For loops
- Unit 1.1 - Data - Binary Coded Patterns and Hexadecimal
Generating MCQ questions at AP Central which focus on solving problems with Selection and Iteration
Self-study, by following the published resources on this course page and to learn
- Unit 1 - Algorithms and Programming - Further Coding
  - Self-study into creating user-defined functions in Java
  - Self-study into creating 1-dimensional arrays in Java
  - Self-study into the Bubble Sort Algorithm
- Unit 1.2 - Impact of Computing
- AP CSP Create Task
  - Research into the requirements, format & assessment for Unit 3 - AP CSP Create Task
  - Design and Implement a functional demo project ready for the AP Principles assessment.
HackerRank
UK Coding Olympiad Questions
Generating MCQ questions at AP Central.

Guidance Notes on Assessment

Please note that an extension is an option and a personal choice for each student.

All students are expected to complete the same assessments for AP CS Principles. However, the ways in which students build solutions, at an extended level, are up to each student in collaboration with the teacher so that developments are in line with the AP CSP content.

It is imperative that students who are extending their learning with self-paced action plans do set personal goals that particularly focus on generating and completing MCQ past papers. It is required that all students print and time their responses under exam conditions to thoroughly prepare for the final MCQ exam.

Student Targets and Agreement for Enhancement & Enrichment Options

Unit 1 - Algorithms and Programming - Getting Started

For any aspiring programmer, the benefits of learning Java are foundational to learning subsequent coding languages such as C, C#, C++, Python and others. This is because Java teaches new coders how to think like a programmer, working through processes with logic and testing out ideas.
Interactive Tasks - Data Types, Input, Process, Output, Solving Problems and Formulas
Exploring Java
Comments in Java Code
Summative Assignment - Using Formulas in Java
5 Basic Principles Of Graphic Design You Take For Granted Everyday
Examples of Using Scanner()
Solution - Using Scanner.nextLine() after Scanner.nextInt()
Summative Assignment - Solving Problems II
Types of Program Error
Useful Technique - Press ENTER to exit

Unit 1 - Algorithms and Programming - Further Coding

Design, develop and document software solutions; master branching and decision making; master a range of techniques to iterate in Java using while, for and repeat loops; to master standard operations on Strings and lists using 1 x dimensional arrays; ArrayLists; explore standard coding techniques for searching and sorting data; process lists using standard algorithms for a linear search and an iterative bubble sort; understand the impact of top-down design and modular programming to solve complex problems through collaborative teamwork; design and develop user-defined functions and procedures; testing and evaluating software solutions;
Assessment Notification:
Unit 2
Practice Project
Understanding Binary and Hexadecimal

Video Tutorial -

Video Tutorial -

Google Worksheet - Binary to Decimal Conversions

Practice - Cisco Binary Numbers Game

Revision - Video Tutorial -

Online Converter - All Bases - Check your Answers - Extension -> Create it in Java
Practice - Flippy Bit Game
Summative Assignment - Binary, Hex Conversion Worksheet

Quick reference - The ASCII conversion table

Summative Assessment - Assessment: ASCII Conversions
AP CSP Loops
AP CSP Functions
1 Dimensional Arrays
Standard Algorithm - Bubble Sort

Unit 1.2 - Impact of Computing

Consolidating full understanding of the impact and use of technology.
Q1 - Personal Study - Logbooks
The following resources and videos are intended for AP CSP students to research and to make links with concepts explored and encountered during the course.
All students are expected to consolidate their full understanding of the impact and use of technology by watching these short resource videos, reading through the documents and making progress toward full mastery, understanding, and examination preparation.
TASKS
Create details study notes for each self-help videos, resources and topics below. Prepare these thoroughly during class time and homework 45 minutes between each class. Keep up with your studies as your work is valued and carefully tracked. Usual AP agreement, late and IE notifications apply.
Complete the online MCQ assessments. Prepare carefully for each, and research solutions thoroughly as the assessment is not timed. DO NOT GUESS ANSWERS. Prepare and use the MCQ to help guide your learning using the resources below as well as your textbooks and the myriad of websites available.
To use headphones and complete quietly and independently.
Expected homework: 45 minutes between each class. Continue with your research and complete all tasks.
Assessment (Summative)
Logbooks. Submit your completed research logs for each topic to JupiterED. Slots have been created for submission. Assessment rubrics are posted and students are expected to complete thorough research around each topic. Students must present a well-formatted slideshow, including images, diagrams, references, notes, descriptions and explanations. Students should not simply provide a list of definitions. All words must be your own words. Extracts from sources must be included and cited.
AP Central MCQ quizzes. These are posted in student AP central accounts and are to be completed carefully.
Labwork
1 - Networking - Lab Work - Google Slides
Self Reading
Complete a detailed logbook for each of the following. Follow the assessment guidelines...
2 - Networking - Class Notes and Revision Notes
3 - Networking - Questions and Answers
4 -
[12 minutes]
5 -
[6 Minutes]
6 -
[5 Minutes]
7 -
[5 Minutes]
8 -
[5 Minutes]
9 - PDF - Introduction to Networking

Impact of Computing Logbook
Complete a detailed logbook for each of the following. Follow the assessment guidelines...

7 -
[2 Minutes]
8 - MCQ - Past Questions - Crowd Sourcing
9 -
[3 Minutes]
10 - MCQ - Past Questions - The Digital Divide
11 -
[11 Minutes]
12 - MCQ - Past Questions - Safe Computing
13 -
[3 Minutes]
14 - MCQ - Past Questions - Computing Bias
15 -
[5 Minutes]
16 - MCQ - Past Questions - Legal and Ethical Concerns

Modelling & Simulation Logbook
Complete a detailed logbook for each of the following. Follow the assessment guidelines...
17 -
[6 Minutes]
18 - MCQ - Past Questions - Simulations
19 -
[6 Minutes]
20 - MCQ - Past Questions - Benefits & Harmful Effects of Computing
21 -
22 - MCQ - Past Questions - The Internet

Parallel and Distributed Computing Logbook
Complete a detailed logbook for each of the following. Follow the assessment guidelines...
33 -
[5 Minutes]
34 - MCQ - Past Questions - Parallel & Distributed Computing

Machine Learning Logbook
Complete a detailed logbook for each of the following. Follow the assessment guidelines..
35 -
[12 Minutes]
36 - PDF - Machine Learning

Summary Logbook
Complete a detailed logbook for each of the following. Follow the assessment guidelines...
37 -
[46 Minutes]
38 -
[43 Minutes]
39 - PDF - Impact of Computing
Complete a detailed logbook for each of the following. Follow the assessment guidelines...