Computer Science @ Cranbrook Schools

1. Computer Science @ Cranbrook Schools Rich Lamb – Computer Dept. Rlamb@Cranbrook.edu www.RichLamb.com

2. I. Me • CMU (the real one, in Pittsburgh) – EE • Oops, EE = false – now what?? • Experimental Psych course – stats

3. Me (more)

4. 1977 – Cranbrook School • FORTRAN (my native language) • and others since: assembler, BASIC, Pascal, C++, Java • Notice transition to OOP in AP: Pascal —> C++ —> Java • Initial FORTRAN class had lab once per 5-day week on a Digital Equipment Corp. PDP-11 • Semester courses in Science department

5. 1984 – Orwell would love it • AP Computer Science exam • Full year course, by necessity • Pascal • legitimized computer science at pre-college level • Computer Department established • Amicable separation from Science Department • Cranbrook and Kingswood Schools merge to form Cranbrook Kingswood School

6. Requirements – or Not • Typing (a.k.a. Keyboarding) – 20 wpm • Computer Literacy • Use software, computers • Two separate requirements and classes - mid-eighties • Combine these two requirements into one, and with one class • Easier for kids to schedule • Eliminate requirements (and the class) mid-nineties • Even easier to schedule!

7. Today • Computer Science / Computer Science I (“JV”) • Introductory course – no prerequisites or expectations • Half- v. full-credit (4 day/wk v. 5 day/wk + homework) • Objects First Using Java • Modify code – don’t write from scratch • Less teaching, more directing • Grading

9. CS/CSI • Balance of test and homework • High test scorers must also do HW • Note “80” is “A-”, “70” is “B-”, etc. – scale is generous • Each student has personalized grid on her/his account • Can check grade anytime. w/o seeing instructor • Final project v. Final Exam • Ethics

10. CS AP (“Varsity”) • More than just “comp sci II” • Full year • Students must be independent workers • Most assignments are long-term • Sometimes “random” partners • Grade sometimes by weakest link • Same grading method • Mandatory final exam at semester, final project at end of year

11. CS AP (“Varsity”) • IDE is now BlueJ (from JCreator) • A v. AB • Ironically, an improvement – same time for less material

12. Computing ≠ Programming • Directed Study • Semester long, may be repeated • Web page design • Video • Hardware • Networking

13. Other Thoughts • Ethics • Computer ethics are a very important consideration • Students are/will be self-policing • Gaming • Robotics – STEM • Enrollment • You are in sales • Getting to know the kids • Be part of school life

14. Helpful organizations • Mi CSTA • email: bwebster [at] barrywebster [dot] com • Free • MACUL – SIG Computer Science • Macul.org – navigate to SIGs • Cheap