AP Summer Institutes at Oregon-Washington APSI- 2024
AP Computer Science Principles
Carol Yarbrough, Consultant
The AP Computer Science Principles course is an innovative course in Computer Science, deliberately designed to attract non-traditional CS students through engaging content and active learning practices. The purpose of the CS Principles APSI workshop is to provide teachers with the tools they need to implement an effective AP Computer Science Principles course. In this workshop, participants will learn about the APCSP exam, including the Create Performance Task and the Explore Curricular Requirement, as well as the multiple-choice assessment. The AP Classroom, AP Audit procedures and course syllabus will also be discussed. Teachers will explore the computational thinking practices and the components of the curriculum framework, including the big ideas, enduring understandings, learning objectives, and essential knowledge. We will review all of the course deliverables and complete a mock reading for the Create Performance Task. This workshop is designed to inform teachers about the College Board’s APCSP course, in general, and not curricular offerings of any particular provider. Teaching strategies and online resources will be discussed, including overviews of the endorsed providers’ offerings. Additionally, participants will work on a course plan that will help them decide when and how they will teach the skills and content of the AP Computer Science Principles course.
What to bring:
Teachers must bring their own laptop computer (not a tablet)
Monday: The Course and Society
- Structure of the course
- CED
- Assessment
- Why CS / APCSP matters
- Recruiting
- Computational Thinking
- The Big Ideas
- BI5: Impact of Computing
- BI2: Data
- BI4: Computer Systems and Networks
Tuesday: Programming – A Tool for Creative Expression
- BI1: Creative Development
- BI3: Algorithms and Programming
- Snap!
- Python
Wednesday: The Course and Exam
- The Create Performance Task (updated for 2024)
- Assignment
- Rubric
- Complete a Mock Create PT
Thursday: Planning the Course
- AP Classroom
- The Explore Curricular Requirement
- Instructional Strategies
- The Course Audit
- The Instructional Planning Report
- High Level Planning
