A+
Computer Science Materials
What is NEW for 2012-2013?
NEW - Games / Graphics / Cross-Curricular Projects - Cross-curricular projects have been added. New game projects for Java Graphics, GridWorld, and Scratch have been included.
NEW - www.practice.apluscompsci.com
This is an online site loaded with LIVE Programming problems.
Students can solve probelms in Java or in Python and teachers can
login to track student progress. This site will have hundreds
of problems for students to solve online.
visit www.practice.apluscompsci.com
NEW - Updated / Expanded Tests - New questions have been added to all tests. All examview and Moodle tests banks have been expanded with new questions added. Tests will inlcude an AP styled mutliplce-choice version as well as a Free Response section.
Contest versions are also included.
NEW - Java 7.0 - Any new features of Java 7.0 that will be tested by AP will be included in all curriculum materials. Contest materails will also be updated to included featurest of Java 7.0 deemed testable. Some features not tested, but deemed usefull will also be added.
Read about the new Java 7.0 Features
- Expanded Projects - MORE
Games and Cross-Curricular Projects
More games and cross-curricular projects have been included. Ciphers and Codes are important Computer Science concepts that are now included.
The A+ AP Computer Science Curriculum Materials include many GridWorld programming assignments and activities that
expand
beyond the provided AP
GridWorld Case Study student manual. The labs vary in concept
and
in
difficulty level. Some of the AP GridWorld Case Study labs
involve creating games, including TIC TAC TOE, a Sliding 8 Puzzle,
Snake, and an expanded TIC TAC TOE that allows for
more than
3 in a row. GridWorld works very well as a game project
platform.
The GridWorld Case Study labs are intended to be used all
year
long in an incremental manner, but could be delayed and used at one
time if preferred. GridWorld is fun and kids love
it!
NEW - NetBeans projects are now included for GridWorld projects!
Netbeans is a cross-platform compiler that supports many languages.
NEW - Moodle backup files with curruculum materials are now provided.
A+ Moodle backups are ready to go - no files to manually load in.
Pong, BlackJack, and StarFighter have been expanded. These Game programming projects have more steps included so that is easier for the students to build the projects and test them incrementally. Interfaces, Abstract Classes, and inheritan
ce
now play a larger part of these projects. Also,
there are now more extensions included for these game projects and
other game projects as well. Pong can be easily expanded into
a
BreakOut type game, AirHockey, or even FooseBall. BlackJack
can
be easily expanded into a Solitaire type game, Poker, or a Video Poker
game. StarFighter can easily be expanded into a Space
Invaders
style game. More AP GridWorld projects have been included
including a sliding 8 puzzle project that can be altered to become
several other puzzle games.
- AP
Computer Science A Topic List Changes -
All changes made to the AP Computer Science A topic list are
included in the 2011-2012 A+ Computer Science
Curriculum.
Matrices, the java.util.List Interface, Integer.MIN_VALUE, Integer.MAX_VALUE, and static variables are included in the A+ Mateials and have been included for the last few years.
Check out the latest AP A Computer Science Course Description
- New
Alice,
Scratch ( including BYOB ), and Jeroo Materials - Alice
curriculum materials,
Scratch
curriculum materials, and Jeroo
curriculum
materials have been expanded. Scratch curriculum materials are
primarily for use in introductory CS or pre/AP CS classes.
The
Alice and Jeroo materials are typically used in introductory CS classes
and AP Computer
Science classes, but can be used beyond as
well. Scratch BYOB materials are now included.
Sample Jeroo Lab Sample Alice Lab Sample Scratch Lab
- Tests
/ Quizzes / Worksheets
- Expanded and updated Moodle, BlackBoard, and ExamView versions of
all tests
and quizzes are included.
ExamView will generate
multiple
versions of tests and quizzes which will allow assessments to be given
in a networked
setting. Moodle
versions of
tests are also included. All of the AP-style Free Response
and
Multiple Choice Tests have been expanded to reflect trends from the
most recently released AP A exam.
If you have questions or comments, please send me an email at
stacey.armstrong@apluscompsci.com
author
information