Mr. Rogers AP Computer Science I - Fourth Quarter Objectives |
Syllabus | 1st Quarter | 2nd Quarter | 3rd Quarter | 4th Quarter |
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AP Exam Free Response Preparation
Essential Question: How can you pass the AP Exam? |
Relevance: Check out the cost of a college class. College credit for AP Computer Science is worth at least $1000.
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Problem sets can be found online at the AP Computer Science A section of the American College Board site or will be provided by Mr. Rogers.
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AP Exam Multiple Choice Preparation |
In-Class Tests (summative assessment): A multiple choice AP type test will be given approximately once per week starting near the end of March (3 tests total). These will count 100 points each toward your grade. They will be curved to approximate an AP grading system. At worst 50% correct will be a "C". In addition, each student will receive an estimate from 1 to 5 of their future grade based on each test.
Take-Home Tests (formative assessment): A minimum of 1 multiple choice AP-type take-home tests will be given. These will count 50 points each and be curved but not as generously as the in-class tests. Your work is to be turned in on each question. You may collaborate with other students and may compare answers but only if each person has actually worked the problem and written down their work. Allowing a student to simply copy your answers is strictly forbidden and may result in a grade of zero for both of the students involved.
The Good News: The highest in-class test will be cloned to help compensate for having a bad day. Take-home tests will not be cloned.
AP Exam Self Study |
As mentioned on the first page, you will not reach your potential on the AP test without a lot of self study.
Essential Question: Do computing professionals make life and death decisions? |
The Social and Ethical Considerations in Computing
System reliability--the horror stories: radiation burned cancer patients, phone system crashes, etc.
The right to privacy--you would not walk into your neighbor's house merely because the door was open.
Legal issues
software piracy--When you pirate software you are stealing from every single user who has paid for the product. This eventually shows up as an added cost in a wide variety of products other than just software related ones.
intellectual property
copyright law--anything you write including code is automatically copyrighted as soon as it is written. Copyright law is very strong protection.
trademarks
patents
identity theft
e-mail scams--you've won a million dollars, yeah right.
vandalism
viruses--the price you pay for antivirus software is only part of the continuing cost you are forced to pay because of individuals who write viruses.
Social and ethical ramifications
spyware
SPAM
chain letters--when you politely complain to the sender use "reply". Never use "reply to all" it compounds the problem.
search engine issues--when information from one site is copied and posted on another, without giving a reference to the original source, it becomes impossible to find the original source and evaluate the reliability of the information.
Define responsible use of computers.
Assignment: Pick a topic from any of the above items and prepare a 5 minute PowerPoint presentation to be delivered in class after the AP exam.