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Computer Science A Course Perspective
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by Renee Ciezki
Ironwood High School
Glendale, Arizona
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| | Critical thinking, differentiated instruction, equity, knowledge utilization, rigor, and relevance, insert your school's latest staff development initiative here… AP Computer Science A is a course that covers them all!
AP Computer Science A is all about problem-solving. On a daily basis, students are required to think critically and to apply previous learning to new situations. Students design, implement, and test computer-based solutions to a variety of problems in diverse application areas. These solutions are implemented using Java and are comparable to those in the introductory sequence of courses for computer science majors offered in college and university computer science departments. The breadth of the subject and its relevance to other subject areas provide nearly inexhaustible opportunities for flexible, open-ended assignments that can be designed to meet all students at varying levels of expertise and to carry them as far as time allows.
At my school, AP Computer Science A is part of the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Information Technology program. It is a good fit, as both curricula include general computing concepts, program analysis and implementation, and standard data structures and algorithms. My students tend to be a more diverse group than those enrolled in other Advanced Placement courses. Whether students are at the top of their classes academically or receive special services, they work and study together, and they are prepared for the A-level AP Computer Science Exam.
The AP CS Exam was first administered in 1984 and underwent several changes in the first ten years. In 1995 a case study was introduced. This enabled students to study and work with well-designed code and provided a basis for exam questions. The current case study, GridWorld, supplies much more: the entire course can be taught in its context. Beginning students running the provided sample projects can construct objects, get and set their attributes, and call their methods without looking at code. Object-oriented concepts, as well as control structures, can be introduced as needs arise. GridWorld's GUI can be extended for a variety of grid-based exercises and games.
Since I began teaching AP Computer Science in 1985, the language has changed twice (from Pascal to C++ in 1999 and to Java in 2004), and there have been six case studies. Gradual shifts in the programming paradigm have also occurred (from procedural to object-based to object-oriented). Throughout it all, I felt energized more often than I felt overwhelmed. Thanks to an awesome community of educators, incredible support is readily available—from summer institutes and other workshops to AP Central and the AP CS Electronic Discussion Group.
AP Computer Science A has been one of the most challenging courses I have ever taught, but it has also been one of the most gratifying. The greatest reward, however, comes from knowing that my students leave my class with improved problem-solving skills, increased confidence in themselves and their ability to communicate and work together, and the tools necessary to continue growing in these areas.
Renee Ciezki teaches AP Computer Science A & AB, Windows Programming, and Computer Programming & Technology at Ironwood High School in Glendale, Arizona. She is also an adjunct faulty member at Estrella Mountain Community College and is a consultant for the College Board. She has been teaching teenagers and adults for more than 20 years and has served as an AP Reader and Question Leader. In her spare time, Renee enjoys traveling with her husband and playing games.
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