1. Analysis and Comparison is ICS4U
AP Computer Science A
Analysis and Comparison is ICS4U

2. Advanced Placement (AP CS A Exam)
Focus is on Java language not generic CS topics
Content
Section MC questions 1 Hour and 15 minutes
Section free-response questions 1 Hour and 45 minutes
Most content covered is already in ICS4U curriculum
Note: New AP CS Principles course has been approved but not yet offered

3. AP CS Principles (coming soon)
Various Languages can be used to teach concepts

4. AP Topics Java Basics Object Oriented Concepts
Doesn't test any I/O ( GUI or Files )
Object Oriented Concepts
Encapsulation, Polymorphism, Inheritance
Interfaces, abstract classes, simple UML

5. AP Topics Data Structures I Data Structures II 1 dimensional arrays
ArrayLists
Data Structures II
2 dimensional arrays
Traversals including for-each (iterator) techniques

6. AP Topics Searching and Sorting Sorts Searching
Selection, Insertion, Merge Sort
Searching
Linear, Binary
Recursive algorithms and simple analysis of algorithms

7. AP Resources Test Structure and Content was revised in 2015
Removed case study and includes sample student labs
Labs
Magpie (basics)
Elevens (OO design card game)
Picture Lab (2 dimensional array processing)

8. AP Resources Textbooks Java Methods, Gary and Maria Litvin
Building Java Programs: A Back to Basics Approach, 3rd edition, Stuart Reges and Marty Stepp
A Guide to Programming in Java, 3rd edition, Jan Marelli

9. Peer Instruction (PI) - Pedagogy
Started by Eric Mazur (Physics Professor at Harvard)
Overview of Technique
Computer Science Educators are being successful using same technique

10. Peer Instruction (PI)
Show a Multiple Choice questions at beginning of class
Students answer individually (Google Form or clicker)
Students discuss with others
Students re-answer after discussion with others

11. Assignment and equals operators
SOLO VOTE (30 secs)
Discuss in team (1 min)
GROUP VOTE (20 sec)
Assignment and equals operators
What is the output of this code? A)
C) 3 false
int x = 3;
int y = 2;
System.out.println(x = 3);
int z = x + y;
System.out.println(z);
B) true 5
D) true false
Big Idea: The idea of = being a right to left “assignment” is hard – that it doesn’t reach back in time to affect other values (rather than a traditional sort of mathematical interpretation of assignment. Also the issue of == producing a boolean value.
Correct Answer and Why: B
The first print is the result of a boolean expression evaluation using == -> resulting in true.
The second print 5 since the previous statement adds and puts the value 5 into z.
Using a Tablet PC or iPad, I draw arrows showing the right to left “movement” or assignment patterns.
Incorrect Answers and Why:
If students don’t understand or ignore the == part, or didn’t read about booleans they figure 3 is the closest reasonable answer
C) Not a very reasonable choice (maybe a better distractor could be used) – though you could ask what prints statement could be written to create this
D) Not a very reasonable choice (maybe a better distractor could be used) – though you could ask what prints statement could be written to create this

12. AP Resources Textbook and Practice Material Time to do some practice
Barron's AP Computer Science A, 7th edition, Roselyn Teukolsky
Time to do some practice
barronsbooks.com/AP/compsci/ap_computer_science.html