[Edu-sig] AP Computer Science

[Vern Ceder]

I also teach Java/AP in addition to teaching Python (and sometimes C). I
would generally agree with Jorge and Hélène, although over the years, I've
come to find both the nature of the AP and the choice of Java more
irritating. Our parents and administration ARE interested primarily in
results, whether I like it or not, and the AP exam forces me to spend my
time a little differently than I would like. And Java IMHO is just not well
designed for novice programmers working on relatively small programs.

So I guess I would find a Python based AP an improvement, but the direction
we're heading at the moment is towards a dual enrollment course offered
through the local university. If we can make that work, then students will
get college credit without some of the drawbacks of the AP system itself.

Cheers,
Vern

On Sat, Nov 6, 2010 at 7:49 PM, Helene Martin <lognaturel at gmail.com> wrote:

> I teach AP computer science and a course I call Creative Computing
> that uses Python as the tool for exploring computing (see
> http://garfieldcs.com for full course descriptions and daily
> activities).
>
> Java does have some ugly syntax but overall I love teaching the AP
> course.  I aim to make my students into curious people with great
> problem-solving skills and I hardly ever mention the AP test itself.
> Though the test is heavily object-oriented, I teach procedural-style
> Java first since I think strong mental models of computation are what
> will benefit the majority of my students as they move on to whatever
> it is they will be doing.  When I do introduce OO, students see it as
> a useful form of abstraction and see the need for it as their programs
> had been getting unwieldy.  Despite only covering object-oriented
> programming in the tail end of my course and using the GridWorld case
> study for a couple of projects, my students have so far done very well
> on the AP test (disclaimer: I only had one section of 22 last year and
> now have about 80 students so we'll see how things go this year).  I
> think it's very possible to focus on producing great thinkers and to
> see the test just as a validation of that process.
>
> This may be an unpopular view around these parts but I feel that the
> pedagogical philosophy guiding a course is far more important to look
> at than the language it's taught in.  Yes, many AP CS courses seem to
> take this rote plod-through-the-material-for-the-test approach but I
> don't think that has anything to do with Java.  It would be possible
> to teach a Python course in just that way, too.  All in all, Java and
> Python are fairly similar tools and shouldn't be treated as ends but
> just a means to explore computation, I think.  Just changing the
> language of the AP test probably wouldn't change the courses teaching
> related classes very much is my guess.  That is, of course, unless
> there were a push for great professional development and more
> continuous support for classroom teachers.
>
> Hélène Martin
> http://helenemartin.com
>
> On Sat, Nov 6, 2010 at 4:24 PM, Zac Miller <zmiller at gsc.edu> wrote:
> > Today I attended a meeting of the Georgia chapter of the Computer Science
> Teachers Association.  Most of the focus was on how to better teach the AP
> Computer Science exam and Java but I did learn a few things at the meeting.
>  Are any of the K12 educators here that are using Python also teaching AP
> Computer Science?
> >
> > >From speaking with the people at the meeting I got the idea that the AP
> Computer Science test would eventually transition to Python.  Does anyone
> know more about this?
> >
> > Also, from their descriptions of teaching the AP class it seemed like the
> is focus is mainly on preparing for the test...do you think that the AP
> course using Python would be a good thing or a bad thing for educators using
> Python?  I think I prefer keeping my focus on producing great Python
> programmers instead of on an exam.
> >
> > Interested in any opinions out there.
> >
> > -Zac Miller
> >
> >
> >
> >
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-- 
This time for sure!
   -Bullwinkle J. Moose
-----------------------------
Vern Ceder, Director of Technology
Canterbury School, 3210 Smith Road, Ft Wayne, IN 46804
vceder at canterburyschool.org; 260-436-0746; FAX: 260-436-5137

The Quick Python Book, 2nd Ed - http://bit.ly/bRsWDW
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