The IB DP computer science course requires an understanding of the fundamental concepts of computational thinking as well as knowledge of how computers and other digital devices operate. The course, underpinned by conceptual thinking, draws on a wide spectrum of knowledge, and enables and empowers innovation, exploration and the acquisition of further knowledge. Students study how computer science interacts with and influences cultures, society and how individuals and societies behave, and the ethical issues involved. (source)
The biggest difference between the standard level (SL) and higher level (HL) is the inclusion of a case study and additional higher-level content, such as abstract data structures, resource management, and control. All students are required to develop a computational solution to an authentic problem.
There are four additional possible options students must become familiar with; databases, object-oriented-programming, web-science, and modeling and simulation. We focus on web science.
When this course is over, what are you going to be able to understand and do? Aims provide a bulleted list of core ideas and skills. It would be great idea if you became curious about the aims on this list.
The following course aims are used with gratitude from the IB DP computer science subject guide:
Diploma Programme computer science students should become aware of how computer scientists work and communicate with each other and with other stakeholders in the successful development and implementation of IT solutions.
While the methodology used to solve problems in computer sciencemay take a wide variety of forms, the group 4 computer science course emphasizes the need for both a theoretical and practical approach.
It is in this context that the Diploma Programme computer science course should aim to:
Everything you do in our course is evidence of learning. Beware of looking for a pure mathematical path to the best grade; students often fail to deeply understand or appreciate our topic, and thus cannot transfer learning to a new situation or scenario. Assessment of learning and assessment for learning are observed and recorded.
In addition to IB assessment, the course has substantial amounts of summative and formative assessment. Everything you do "counts".
Paper 1
2 hour 10 minutes is allocated for an examination paper consisting of two compulsory sections:
Section A (30 minutes approximately) consists of several compulsory short answer questions. The maximum mark for this section is 25.
Section B (100 minutes approximately) consists of three compulsory structured questions. The maximum mark for this section is 75.
You can earn a maximum of 100 marks for paper 1. It is weighted for 40% of your final grade.
Paper 2
1 hour 20 minutes is allocated for paper 2 which is an examination paper linked to the option studied (which is web science).
The paper consists of between three and seven compulsory questions.
The SL/HL core questions are common and worth 45 marks. The HL extension is worth 20 marks.
You can earn a maximum of 65 marks for paper 2. It is weighted for 20% of your final grade.
Paper 3
Paper 3 is an examination paper of 1 hour consisting of four compulsory questions based on a pre-seen case study.
You can earn a maximum of 30 marks for paper 3. It is weighted for 20% of your grade
Internal Assessment
Internal assessment is an highly challenging, authentic solution to a problem.
You can earn a maximum of 34 marks. It is weighted for 20% of your final grade.
Having followed the computer science standard level course, students will be expected to:
Know and understand:
Apply and use:
Construct, analyse, evaluate and formulate:
Demonstrate the personal skills of cooperation and perseverance as well as appropriate technical skills for effective problem-solving in developing a specified product.
Topics are big ideas, essential questions, and important skills in our course. All topics are assessed, formatively and summatively. Clicking the links below will bring you to a page which details the topic, and offers resources to help you understand them. Many courses share the same topics, but especially in the IB courses, the rigor and depth of the topics are more pronounced.
Teacher: Bill MacKenty, M.Ed.
Teacher email: bmackenty@aswarsaw.org
American School of Warsaw
Bielawa. 202 Warszawska Ul.
05-520 Konstancin-Jeziorna
POLAND
https://www.aswarsaw.org
https://www.mackenty.org
Required materials include a school-issued computer with all software updated as directed in our getting started guide.
Exam re-takes
I do not allow students to retake exams. Many students get the idea that they don't have to take a test seriously until the retake. Students and parents are reminded a grade is a single data point, not to be considered as a single point upon which all success and failure rests.
Extra-Credit
I want you to work hard and learn. There are times when you may want to earn extra credit. Extra credit does not automatically improve your grade. Here are some things to think about before you accept an assignment for extra credit:
You are responsible for understanding and following these guidelines.
From the Student Handbook:
Academic integrity is an expected trait in all students of ASW and is afforded the utmost value by all members of the faculty. The academic reputation of our students and the school in the wider community depend on it. Academic integrity expectations extend to all assessed and non-assessed school work and to all documentation produced for university and college applications. It is the expectation at ASW that all work and documentation submitted by students is entirely their own.
To ensure that high school students understand what constitutes academic honesty, teachers explicitly address the issue with all students at the start of each academic course.
Academic integrity means:
Citing appropriately those whose work is used in the preparation of school work completing school work without the input of others whose knowledge of the task might advantage the student unfairly submitting work for assessment that is representative of the student's own learning and not that of others, individually or collectively maintaining a level of confidentiality and personal ownership of one's own work, both assessed and non-assessed
Conversely, academic dishonesty means:
Presenting the work, ideas, words, images, data or arguments of others as one's own without citation (plagiarism) copying or sharing work with others (unless specifically allowed) in any form (e.g. digitally sharing, downloading, in person) in a way that misrepresents a student's ability or is intended to mislead the intended audience presenting work as one's own which has been completed with the assistance of others (such as parents, other students or tutors) in a way that misrepresents a student's ability making up or altering references, quotations, statistics, etc. (fabrication or falsification)
When a faculty member determines that there has been a breach of academic integrity, the faculty member is required to inform the Principal of the incident.
Students must have completed IB computer science year 1.
Here is a guide how you can communicate with me. I am available most of the time. You should be aware of advantages and disadvantages for each method of communication:
Speak to me in person
Send me an email In-depth questions, with evidence that you have followed our guide to asking good questions will get replies.
Ask a question in our class discussion board
Ask a question in our ask-for-help system
Ask a question on google classroom
Week Starting | Topic |
---|---|
Tuesday 18 August 2020 (6 months, 12 days ago) |
Course orientation |
Monday 24 August 2020 (6 months, 6 days ago) |
Programming |
Monday 31 August 2020 (5 months, 30 days ago) |
Control |
Monday 7 September 2020 (5 months, 23 days ago) |
Control |
Monday 14 September 2020 (5 months, 16 days ago) |
Control |
Monday 21 September 2020 (5 months, 9 days ago) |
Control |
Monday 28 September 2020 (5 months, 2 days ago) |
Computer organization |
Monday 5 October 2020 (4 months, 25 days ago) |
Computer organization |
Monday 12 October 2020 (4 months, 18 days ago) |
Computer organization |
Monday 19 October 2020 (4 months, 11 days ago) |
Computer organization |
Monday 26 October 2020 (4 months, 4 days ago) |
Holiday |
Monday 2 November 2020 (4 months, 0 days ago) |
System fundamentals |
Monday 9 November 2020 (3 months, 21 days ago) |
System fundamentals |
Monday 16 November 2020 (3 months, 14 days ago) |
System fundamentals |
Monday 23 November 2020 (3 months, 7 days ago) |
Abstract data structures |
Monday 30 November 2020 (3 months, 0 days ago) |
Abstract data structures |
Monday 7 December 2020 (2 months, 23 days ago) |
Abstract data structures |
Monday 14 December 2020 (2 months, 16 days ago) |
Abstract data structures |
Monday 21 December 2020 (2 months, 9 days ago) |
Holiday |
Monday 28 December 2020 (2 months, 2 days ago) |
Holiday |
Monday 4 January 2021 (1 month, 26 days ago) |
Holiday |
Monday 11 January 2021 (1 month, 19 days ago) |
Networking |
Monday 18 January 2021 (1 month, 12 days ago) |
Networking |
Monday 25 January 2021 (1 month, 5 days ago) |
Networking |
Monday 1 February 2021 (29 days ago) |
IA |
Monday 8 February 2021 (22 days ago) |
IA |
Monday 15 February 2021 (15 days ago) |
IA |
Monday 22 February 2021 (8 days ago) |
Holiday |
Monday 1 March 2021 (1 days ago) |
Case study |
Monday 8 March 2021 (in 6 days) |
Case study |
Monday 15 March 2021 (in 13 days) |
Case study |
Monday 22 March 2021 (in 20 days) |
Case study |
Monday 29 March 2021 (in 27 days) |
Revision |
Monday 5 April 2021 (in 1 month 3 days) |
Holiday |
Monday 12 April 2021 (in 1 month 10 days) |
Revision |
Monday 19 April 2021 (in 1 month 17 days) |
Revision |
Monday 26 April 2021 (in 1 month 24 days) |
Revision |