Introductions & Setup: Shared Google Drive : Overview of Week

• APSI Host

  • Why are you here and what do you want?

  • Access to Shared Google Drive (if not done prior to APSI)

  • Complete a Google Form (if not done prior to APSI)

  • Verify Access to myAP.collegeboard.org (talk to John, details at Day4: Afternoon Session I : Teaching the Course)

• Workshop Leader : Edwardsville High School, Mr. John Meinzen

  • What are we doing?

  • This week has a linear progression of Informing, Exploring, Planning, & Improving

  • ...including pedagogical spiraling of "Learning" and "Assessing"....

  • ...and which are scaffolded for new & experienced teachers addressed through...

  • ..."tangential mini-discussion" as questions arise...

  • ...that may interrupt your focus. --> let John know when you need context or time.

Explore Workshop Resources - Mark the Text in the CED Binder

Course and Exam Description (CED Binder)

• Page 22 : Course at a Glance

  • 10 Units + Exam Weightings + Number of Classes (assuming 45min periods)--useful for laying out a year-long schedule!!!!

  • Topic List + Big Ideas + Practices/Skills

  • Number of Multiple Choice Questions in Personal Progress Checks

• Page 27 : Explanation of the structured of each Unit Guides

  • Unit Openers & Unit at a Glance

  • Sample Instructional Activities

  • Topic Pages within each Unit

• Page 31 : Unit 1 : Primitive Types

• Page 43 : Unit 2 : Using Objects

• Page 63 : Unit 3 : Boolean Expressions and if Statements

• Page 75 : Unit 4 : Iteration

• Page 87 : Unit 5 : Writing Classes

• Page 107 : Unit 6 : Array

• Page 117 : Unit 7 : ArrayList

• Page 131 : Unit 8 : 2D Array

• Page 139 : Unit 9 : Inheritance

• Page 151 : Unit 10 : Recursion

2020 Fall : Course and Exam Description (CED) - official binder

Download the official AP CSA Course and Exam Description.pdf from AP Central : easier to do an electronic search

1. AP CSA has 4 Big Ideas (Content Standards)

   1. Modularity (MOD) - breaking problems down into interacting pieces, each with their own purpose, makes writing complex programs easier. Object-oriented programming allows us to break complex programs into individual classes and methods.

   2. Variables (VAR) - Information used as a basis for reasoning, discussion, or calculation is referred to as data. Programs rely on variables to store data and on data structures to organize multiple values when program complexity increases.

   3. Control (CON) - Doing things in order, making decisions, and doing the same process multiple times are represented in code by using control structures and specifying the order in which instructions are executed.

   4. Impact of Computing (IOC) - 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 how our programs will be used and be responsible for the consequences.

2. AP CSA has 5 Computational Thinking (Practice Standards)

   Each Practice is broken down into Skills (A, B, C, ...)

    

   1. Program Design and Algorithm Development - determine required code segments to produce a given output.

      Skills [Tested in the Multiple Choice Questions 30-35% of Exam]

      1. Determine an appropriate program design to solve a problem or accomplish a test. (not assessed)

      2. Determine code that would be used to complete code segments.

      3. Determine code that would be used to interact with completed program code.

   2. Code Logic - determine the output, value , or result of given program code given initial values.

      Skills [Tested in the Multiple Choice Questions 40-45% of Exam]

      1. Apply the meaning of specific operators.

      2. Determine the result or output based on statement execution order in a code segment without method calls (other than output).

      3. Determine the result or output based on statement execution order in a code segment containing method calls.

      4. Determine the number of times a code segment will execute.

   3. Code Implementation - Write and implement program code.

      Skills [Tested in the Free Response Questions]

      1. Write program code to create objects of a class and call methods.

      2. Write program code to define a new type by creating a class.

      3. Write program code to satisfy method specifications using expressions, conditional statements, and iterative statements.

      4. Write program code to create, traverse, and manipulate elements in 1D array or ArrayList objects.

      5. Write program code to create, traverse, and manipulate elements in 2D array objects.

   4. Code Testing - Analyze program code for correctness, equivalence, and errors.

      Skills [Tested in the Multiple Choice Questions 12-18% of Exam]

      1. Use test-cases to find errors or validate results.

      2. Identify errors in program code.

      3. Determine if two or more code segments yield equivalent results.

   5. Documention - Describe the behavior and conditions that produce identified results in a program.

      Skills [Tested in the Multiple Choice Questions 12-18% of Exam]

      1. Describe the behavior of a given sement of program code.

      2. Explain why a codes segment will not compile or work as intended.

      3. Explain how the result of program code changes, given a change to the initial code.

      4. Describe the initial conditions that must be met for a program segment to work as intended or described.

3. AP CSA has Unit Designs

   Unit Designs (i.e. Chapters) help with sequencing, pacing, topic progression, and assessing students on the Big Ideas & Practices.

    

   ...also allows teachers & students to plan and use as part of AP Classroom's online Question Bank (for Formative and Summative assessments) & Personal Progress Checks (for Formative assessments only)

    

   1. Unit 1 : Primitive Types [no number base conversions such as binary-decimal]

   2. Unit 2 : Using Objects [added use of Integer & Double auto-boxing/unboxing]

   3. Unit 3 : Boolean Expressions and if Statements

   4. Unit 4 : Iteration

   5. Unit 5 : Writing Classes

   6. Unit 6 : Array

   7. Unit 7 : ArrayList

   8. Unit 8 : 2D Array

   9. Unit 9 : Inheritance [no Interfaces or Abstract classes]

   10. Unit 10: Recursion

4. AP CSA has 4 newer Labs while retaining 3 older Exemplar Labs.

   • 20 hours minimum for "hands-on structured-labs."

   • Each student should have access to a computer "at least 3 hours a week" as part of Resource Requirement.

   • May use 3 Exemplar Labs if you so choose but not required. Not aligned to 2020Fall CED

     • Magpie Lab - String manipulation

     • Picture Lab - Image manipulation, 2D arrays

     • Elevens Lab - Object-oriented design

   • May use 4 newer 2020 CED Framework-aligned Labs if you so choose but not required.

     • Consumer Review Lab - aimed at FRQ 1 (Methods & Control Structures) including multiple classes, method calling, String manipulation, control stuctures.

     • Celebrity Lab - aimed at FRQ 2 (Class Design) including inheritance, polymorphism, and using objects.

     • Data Lab - aimed at FRQ 3 (Arrays and ArrayLists) including real-world applications and ethical implications.

     • Steganography Lab - aimed at FRQ 4 (2D Arrays and ArrayLists) including expansion of Picture Lab - encrypt/decrypt data within other data. [options to go beyond new CED...binary conversions]

5. The Exam

   1. 3 hours, afternoon of Friday, May ?, 2022

   2. Two Parts (equal weight, 50% each):

   • 40 Multiple Choice Questions in 1hr 30 min

   • 4 Free Response Questions on the following topics in 1hr 30 min

     • Question 1 : Methods and Control Structures (9 points)

     • Question 2 : Class (9 points)

     • Question 3 : Array/ArrayList (9 points)

     • Question 4 : 2D Array (9 points)

   3. Updated 2020 : Java API Quick Reference provided to students on Exam.

   4. No Lab-specific questions.

6. Appendices : Java Language Subset, Student Exam Reference & Algorithms for Teachers

   Language (Java) not expected to change until 2024 at earliest (?)...print out and put in Binder Appendix:

   • A - Java Language Subset - Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Notes 1, Notes 2

   • B - Java Quick Reference - 1 page only! Available to Students during Exam.

   • C - Sample Search & Sort - sequential search, binary search, selection sort, insertion sort, and merge sort. (NOT available to students during Exam)

2020 : Official Resources

AP Classroom - requires: 1) Course Authorization for you (teacher) then 2) Online Digital Activation for students to gain access to myAP.collegeboard.org

• Unit Guides (in CED) - optional. Used to "coordinate" online resources.

• AP Question Bank - optional. Library of real AP Exam questions indexed and referenced to Unit Guides for teachers to create customized tests (online or paper, formative or summative)

• Personal Progress Checks - formative AP questions for student feedback--cannot be used for teacher evaluations--optionally assigned by teacher. If not assigned by teacher, students cannot access online questions.

• Progress Dashboard - optional. Used by teacher to review individual student and class progress to identify students who struggle with content and skills over time.

Enhanced Score Reports - Instructional Planning Reports (IPR) for teachers to assess student content and skills on AP Exams.

Workshop Leader's Insights

CONTENT :

• The 2020 Curricular Framework is a re-organization of the historical (pre 2019) AP CSA topic list.

  • Content removed : Interfaces & Abstract Classes, binary conversions

  • Content clarified : autoboxing/unboxing for Integer and Double classes

• Understanding by Design (UbD) framework is now used across all College Board AP courses :

  • CONTENT : Big Ideas (BI) -> Enduring Understandings (EU) -> Learning Objectives (LO) -> Essential Knowledge (EK)

  • PRACTICE : Computational Thinking Practices -> Skills

EXAM :

• The written exam is not changing in structure or content but has more specificity...search the CED for "Task Verbs" Used in Free-Response Questions in Binder (Exam Info tab, approximately page 190)

• Exam questions are now mapped to the 2020 Curricular Framework.

• Registration in the fall for students will be a change for teachers depending on your AP Coordinator and use of the new supports for teachers and student.

• Digital Exam Options: depends on your AP Coordinator. Requires installation of a "locked down browser" but no smart phones.

WHY? :

• For new AP CSA teachers, the re-format is an improved and more clear structure that is aligned with the new teacher and student supports including alignment of all of the following:

  • Curriculum Framework follows Understanding by Design principles.

    • CONTENT : BI-> EU -> LO -> EK

    • PRACTICE : Computational Thinking Practices -> Skills

  • 10 Unit Guides with sequencing, pacing, and Exam weightings.

  • AP Question Bank can be selectively assigned by teacher to students as practice, Formative Assessments, or Summative Assessments.

  • Personal Progress Checks for Students.

  • Progress Dashboard for Teachers to monitor their classes.

•  

  For experienced AP CSA teachers, there is no need to immediately change a "successful" course. All the new material is optional (except for fall registration) and does not change the topics or the exam.

   

• For new AP CSA teachers :

  • The Unit plans allow for less "guessing" what is to be on the Exam and helps with decision on how much time to spend on each topic.

  • if you don't have a textbook already available/chosen or want to assign online practice--the following resources are some online options:

    • The full list of "Endorsed Providers" is at AP Central : Classroom Resources : Adopt Ready-to-Use Curricula

    • Other teacher-recommended websites at AP Central : Classroom Resources : Online Resources Recommended by AP Teachers

    • John's Options for "low-to-no-budgets":

      • write your own summary textbook/notes.

      • https://csawesome.runestone.academy/runestone/books/published/csawesome/index.html : free AP CSA curriculum & online Java practice based on Barb Ericson's at U. of Michigan's Java Review course [formerly Runestone]

      • https://codingbat.com/java : free online Java practice problems with optional teacher account from Nick Parlante at Standford University

  • Some districts are only allowing "browser-based" courses. One of the few options includes :

    • https://replit.com : paid service for completely web-based coding in Java.

Unit 1 : Primitive Types

• 8-10 class periods [45 minute periods, 5 days per week]

• 2.5-5% AP Exam weight

• Progress Checks : about 25 Multiple Choice Questions

Topics

1. Why Programming? Why Java?

2. Variables and Data Types

3. Expressions and Assignment Statements

4. Compound Assignment Operators

5. Casting and Ranges of Variables

Unit 2 : using Objects

• 13-15 class periods [45 minute periods, 5 days per week]

• 5-7.5% AP Exam weight

• Progress Checks : about 25 Multiple Choice Questions

Topics

1. Objects: Instances of Classes

2. Creating and Storing Objects (Instantiation)

3. Calling a Void Method

4. Calling a Void Method with Parameters

5. Calling a Non-void Method

6. String Objects: Concatentation, Literals, and More

7. String Methods

8. Wrapper Classes: Integer and Double

9. Using the Math Class

Unit 3 : Boolean Expressions and if Statements

• 11-13 class periods [45 minute periods, 5 days per week]

• 15-17.5% AP Exam weight

• Progress Checks : about 20 Multiple Choice + 1 Free-Response Questions

Topics

1. Boolean Expressions

2. if Statements and Flow Control

3. if-else Statements

4. else if Statements

5. Compound Boolean Expressions

6. Equivalent Boolean Expressions

7. Comparing Objects

Unit 4 : Iteration

• 14-16 class periods [45 minute periods, 5 days per week]

• 17.5-22.5% AP Exam weight

• Progress Checks : about 15 Multiple Choice + 1 Free-Response Questions

Topics

1. while Loops

2. for Loops

3. Developing Algorithms Using Strings

4. Nested Iteration

5. Informal Code Analysis

Unit 5 : Writing Classes

• 12-14 class periods [45 minute periods, 5 days per week]

• 5-7.5% AP Exam weight

• Progress Checks : about 20 Multiple Choice + 1 Free-Response Questions

Topics

1. Anatomy of a Class

2. Constructors

3. Documentation with Comments

4. Accessor Methods

5. Mutator Methods

6. Writing Methods

7. Static Variables and Methods

8. Scope and Access

9. this Keyword

10. Ethical and Social Implications of Computing Systems [not tested]

Activities

• CED : Unit 5 : Read all 4 Sample Activities

• Add to the shared drive/file in Unit 5 your ideas

• JavaBeans Assignment

  For each sentence, students should :

  1. identify the class (program name)

  2. identify the nouns

  3. declare (write) the field variables & their types

  4. declare (write) the accessor & mutator methods (i.e. "get" & "set" methods)

  JavaBeans Example

  "I want a program that creates a Cake that has a certain amount of sugar and with a specified height as well as a description for the cake and whether it is a chocolate cake or not."

   

  1. identify class: Cake

  2. identify nouns: sugar, height, description, chocolateCake

  3. declare variables & types:

  • private int      sugar;
    private double   height;
    private String   description;
    private boolean  chocolateCake;
    

  4. declare accessor & mutator methods (i.e. "get" and "set")

  • 
    /**
    * The getSugar() accessor method return the amount of
    * sugar in this object's Cake.
    */
    public int getSugar()
    {
         return sugar;
    }
    
    /**
    * EVERY METHOD *SHOULD* HAVE A JAVADOC COMMENT!
    */
    public double getHeight()
    {
         return height;
    }
    
    public String getDescription()
    {
         return this.description;
    }
    
    public boolean getChocolateCake()
    {
         return this.chocolateCake;
    }
    
    /**
    * The setSugar() mutator method takes a double parameter
    * to change the amount of sugar in this object's Cake.
    */
    public void setSugar(int s)
    {
         this.sugar = s;
    }
    
    public void setHeight(double h)
    {
         this.height = h;
    }
    
    public void setDescription(String d)
    {
         this.description = d;
    }
    
    public void setChocolateCake(boolean c)
    {
         chocolateCake = c;
    }

  JavaBeans Practice (easier to more challenging):

  1. I want a program that creates a Tree that has a number of branches, leaves and a height as well as whether it is coniferous or not.

  2. I want a program that creates an Animal that has a size, a number of legs, name and whether it is a mammal or not.

  3. I want a program that represents a PlayingCard that has a suit and a value, a face image and a back image (use the ImageIcon class found by> import javax.Swing.*;

  4. I want a program that creates a SuperHero that has a power level, an IQ, a description of abilities, and whether it wears armor or not.

  5. I want a program that creates a mythological creature that has a size, holds 2 objects described by the above 5 (i.e. holds a flower & cake), a description and a name.

  6. I want a program that creates a Tardis that has two SuperHeroes, an Animal and a Mythological creature as well as another Tardis.

• Create your own Type of Pet by:

  • Draw UML diagram containing the Type of pet including variables so that your pet "HAS" two exclusive boolean variables and a name as well as methods to change the boolean variables.

  • Program your pet using BlueJ (basic), Textpad, (Notepad++), or Eclipse (professional) which will require a main() method.

  • Compile and Test your Pet using BlueJ, Textpad, Notepad++, or Eclipse.

  • Create a PetOwner class--with a main() method--to test several instances (instantiate) of your Pet using Eclipse. [i.e. PetOwner HAS two Pets]

Resources for Demonstrating OOP Programming to Students

• Using BlueJ (or similar) to:

  • Practice :

    • Write a Cake recipe (Class or Type)

    • Create a CyberPet or PetRock object

  • Focus on basic Class design (& UML) and differentiate objects from Classes

    • field variables : Strings & booleans

    • methods: accessors & mutators

• Textpad.com - basic text editor for Java if Java SDK is installed first. Follows KISS methodology. Nagware.

   

• NotePad++ is a text editor that is extensible and flexible but difficult to configure. Shareware.