Intro to Computer Science        Tamara O’Malley        tomalley@pps.net

Course Syllabus 2015-16        Madison High School        (503) 916-5220

  tinyurl.com/madisoncs

Course Description

This elective class is designed to be a fun introduction into the world of computer science!  You will learn about the exciting kinds of problems tackled by computer programmers, understand the basics of coding,  and briefly preview some of the computer science courses you could take next year.  You will explore these concepts through a combination of lecture, activities, and plenty of time in the computer lab.  In the lab, you will spend part of your time in pairs doing smaller exercises as well as on your own applying your learning to a larger project.

We will have quizzes from time to time over the concepts learned in class, but  the majority of your grade in this course will come from your daily participation and your performance on projects.  I don’t assign homework in this class, but you might need to do work outside of class if you are absent or are having trouble finishing a project in the class time I give you.  You may discover that you want to keep working outside of class just for fun!

Grade Calculations

Your grade in this course is intended to reflect your effort as well as the computer science knowledge and skills you are able to demonstrate.  The grading breakdown is as follows:

• Labs (daily work) - 40%
• Projects - 40%
• Quizzes - 20%

Learning and Grading Policies

Pair Programming:  For labs, where you learn the fundamentals of the topic we are covering, you will be working with another student to complete the assignments.  Pair programming has been shown to make programming more fun, add to the knowledge of each programmer in the pair, increase access for students who are behind in the work, reduce mistakes, and build collaboration skills.

Original Work:  Your goal should be to learn while in this class.  You are expected to turn in work and projects comprised entirely of your own (or in the case of pair programming, your own and your partner’s) original work.  You may discuss problems and techniques as much as you like, but then go perform the work on your own.  Never copy what someone else has done or ask someone else to do your work!

Make-up Policy:  Daily on-time attendance is extremely important for success in this class.  In an A-B block schedule, one class period is equivalent to two lessons.  If you must be absent, you are expected to make up any work you missed in a timely manner.  If the absence is unexcused, late penalties may apply.

Attendance and Behavior Policies

Absences:  You are expected to bring a note from home to get your absences excused through the main office.  See the Make-Up Policy above for information about making up work.

Tardies:  You are expected to be in your seat when the tardy bell rings.  Tardies are monitored by administrators who will implement consequences in the case of chronic tardiness.

Computer Lab Rules:  You are expected to follow the lab rules.  Our computer lab is new and the school does not have money to replace computers or equipment if it gets broken.  Lab rules and consequences are outlined in a separate document, which you must agree to and sign in order to use the lab.  

Behavior:  Disruptive, off-task, and unsafe behavior will result in the warnings and consequences as detailed in Madison’s 2015-2016 Handbook of Academics & Behavioral Expectations.

Final Thoughts

Class Website:   Course resources are available at  tinyurl.com/madisoncs.

Online Grades:   Students and parents may access grades  online through Synergy.  The link is available on the Madison webpage:  http://www.pps.k12.or.us/schools/madison/

If you have used Synergy in the past, your username and password have not changed.  If you are new to Synergy, please contact Madison’s main office for your activation letter.

Extra Help:   Class assignments and helpful videos/instructions will be posted on the class website.  I am also available outside of class during tutorial time and by other arrangement.

Note to Parents:   I am always happy to answer any questions or concerns.  Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me.  The fastest communication is via email at tomalley@pps.net.