AP Computer Science A teaches students how to be successful in life through coding and solving problems. photo by Emanuel Morales-Gomez
AP Computer Science A is a new class offered at TJ that allows students to continue their interest in coding and grow vital skills for their future.
Thomas Jefferson High School has undergone many curriculum changes this year, one of which is the addition of AP Computer Science (CS) A. This senior level class dives deeper into the programming language of Java, unlocking future career opportunities for Spartans.
Before this year, students within the CS pathway in the Career and Communication Technology (CCT) program took Digital Media Foundations freshman year, Game Design sophomore year, and AP CS Principles junior year, but seniors didn’t have an option easily available to them. Seniors in the CS pathway could have taken a capstone class; however, “not enough people signed up for it and most students didn’t know what the class was,” CS teacher Patrick Sasser noted. Sasser wanted to provide a class that students would want to take in their senior year, so he asked his junior class if they would be interested in taking AP CS A.
Senior Nes Masa, a student in the CS pathway, explained that they “wanted to continue learning CS since not only was the material fun, but the class and teacher as well.” Luckily for the students, Sasser had ten years of experience teaching this class, taking Java courses in college, and working as a Java programmer for an insurance company. Unluckily for the students, this class is different from the past CS courses they have taken. Sasser explained that, “AP CS A is more hands-on programming than other classes like AP CS Principles because all we do is code.” In AP CS Principles, coding is just a small part of the bigger picture because students also learn about computers, networking, the internet, and more
Another thing that is new for students is the AP exam format. Masa mentioned, “the AP exam is different from AP CS Principles because it is done with pencil and paper and there is no program created beforehand.” The AP CS A exam, taken in May, requires students to answer forty multiple choice questions and four free response questions that ask students to write code by hand.
Though the test may seem daunting, Sasser teaches students through the “I do, we do, you do” method which prepares students for the exam. Sasser clarified that he first does, “something in front of the class, then the class does it together, and then the students do it by themselves.” He explained that, “this format prepares students to demonstrate mastery.”
Students have started the process of demonstrating mastery by learning about methods, classes, and other basics in Java. Masa excitedly said that they were “learning how to make cool patterns and shapes with Java.” Just like any other class, its difficulty varies, but students are still able to understand the content, even if they are new to the pathway. Senior Zarin Moon was originally in the Web Design pathway in the CCT program, but with a senior class not being available, she decided to take AP CS A. Moon explained that, “it is easy if you understand it, but it could be hard at times.” Even though it is difficult, she is enjoying the class because it is, “interesting to learn something I want to take in college and it prepares me for my future.”
Masa recommended that students should take this class because it helps them in their future endeavors. “It builds important skills necessary in a society focused on computers and technology.” Masa went on to say that “building a foundation with computers can really help you soar in whatever career you choose.” Students having to look at lines of code for a long time and trying to figure out what the problem is allows students to develop their critical thinking and problem solving skills.
Sasser explained that, “if you like puzzles, solving problems, or are interested in programming, this class is for you.” Spartans, if you want to develop important skills that will prepare you for your future, you should consider enrolling in the AP CS A course.
