• Introduction to Computer Science

    Project Lead the Way: App Creators

    Syllabus 2018/2019

    Mrs. Fenwick

    Room 52

    708-598-4522 

    lfenwick@npd117.net
    Note: Phones don't ring during school hours. I will respond to calls and emails within 24 hours.

    Materials:

    Charged Chromebook

    Spiral Notebook

    Paper (Loose leaf)

    Pens and Pencils

    Folder

    Ear Buds/Headphones

    Grading Scale:

    100-93%       A       
    92-86%         B                 
    85-78%         C                 
    77-70%         D                 
    69-0%           F


    Classroom Rules:
    We follow the Conrady student behavior expectations summarized with ROAR:

    Respectful: Be respecful of yourself and others. Raise your hand to speak.
    On Task:  Listen, follow directions, and complete all classwork.
    Act Safe: Keep your hands, feet, and objects to yourself.
    Responsible: Charge your Chromebook and bring all necessary materials to class everyday.

    Behavior Incentives
    Our classroom is a safe, positive, learning environment. Students who consistently demonstrate the classroom rules will be rewarded with a variety of incentives

    • Praise
    • Small treat/prize
    • PBIS Paws tokens
    • Earned free time
    • Positive office referral

    Behavior Consequences
    Students who break the classroom rules can expect the following consequences. All offenses will be documented.

    • First offense: verbal warning
    • Second offense: removal from team setting to write a behavior reflection
    • Third offense: Additional reflection and call home to discuss behavior
    • Fourth Offense: Detention
    • Continued infractions: referral to dean

    Curriculum
    Project Lead the Way’s App Creator is a course in Mobile App Development. Students will learn to code in an online environment created by Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). They will develop applications for Android phones using a web browser and a connected tablet. Students assemble program blocks that specify how the components should behave.  Core coding concepts targeted in this curriculum include:

    • Algorithmic/computational thinking
    • Commands and expressions
    • Control flow
    • Conditional statements
    • Data and databases
    • Design process steps
    • Events and event handlers
    • Getting and setting component state
    • Strategic planning
    • Variables: global and local

    Assignments/Assessments
    Most work is completed in class since the course uses laptops and tablets to create mobile apps.  Students will work in programming pairs, and with small groups for reflection. Formative assessments will be completed during each phase. If a student falls behind on app development in class, the student can work on the apps outside of class on their chromebooks by logging into ai2.appinventor.mit.edu with their google ID, but they can only test the apps in class with the paired laptops and chromebooks.

    • Unit One:
      Students will complete daily coding activities and complete reflections on those activities to learn core coding concepts.
    • Unit Two:
      Students will complete a mobile app project and reflection to solidify the core coding concepts.
    • Unit Three:
      Students may design and develop a mobile app as a summative assessment. The mobile app will extend their knowledge of the core coding concepts.

    For a complete listing of assignments and calendar due dates, check Schoology.