View source for Weekly teaching plan for DP concept-based approach


This weekly timeline is for [[Concept-based Approach to DP Computer Science - Alternate Version|concept-based course]] This is alpha - I'm not at all happy with this plan

== Year 1: Semester 1 – Applied Computing & Problem Solving ==

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Weekly Plan for Year 1 - Semester 1 (Aligned with IB Learning Standards)
! Week !! Topic !! Key Learning Activities !! IB Learning Standards !! Conceptual Lens
|-
| 1 || Introduction to Computational Thinking, Problem Solving & Abstraction || Guided problem-solving, flowchart design, pseudocode writing || B1.1.1, B1.1.2, B1.1.3 || CPS
|-
| 2 || Decomposition, Pattern Recognition & Flowcharts || Hands-on exercises in problem breakdown || B1.1.2, B1.1.4 || CPS
|-
| 3 || Algorithmic Thinking & Debugging Strategies || Debugging activities, tracing execution flow || B2.1.4 || CPS
|-
| 4 || Functions & Modularization in Programming || Hands-on coding exercises in Python/Java || B2.3.4, B2.1.1 || CPS
|-
| 5 || Hands-on Programming: Python or Java Basics || Pair programming, small coding projects || B2.3.1, B2.3.2, B2.3.3 || CPS
|-
| 6 || Sorting & Searching Algorithms (Linear, Binary) || Implementing selection, bubble, and binary search || B2.4.2, B2.4.3 || CPS
|-
| 7 || Recursion & Iterative Problem Solving || Converting recursion to iteration, solving recursive problems || B2.4.4, B2.4.5 (HL) || CPS
|-
| 8 || Binary Encoding (Numbers, Text, Images, Sound) || Encoding exercises, digital representation labs || A1.2.1, A1.2.2 || DIR
|-
| 9 || Data Compression & Encryption (Huffman Coding, Hashing) || Hands-on compression exercises, ethical discussions || A1.1.8, A2.4.4 || DIR
|-
| 10 || File Structures & Relational Databases || SQL basics, relational data modeling || A3.1.1, A3.2.1, A3.2.3 || DIR
|-
| 11 || SQL Basics: Queries & Data Manipulation || Hands-on SQL labs, database retrieval || A3.3.2, A3.3.3 || DIR
|-
| 12 || Indexing & Database Optimization Strategies || Performance tuning, indexing exercises || A3.2.4, A3.2.6 || DIR
|-
| 13 || Hands-on SQL & Database Security || SQL injection testing, security best practices || A3.3.6 (HL), A2.4.1 || DIR
|-
| 14 || Interactive Database Exploration & Case Studies || Real-world database design challenges || A3.2.7, A3.4.1 (HL) || DIR
|-
| 15 || Ethical Discussion: Bias in Data Encoding || Case study analysis, AI bias discussion || A4.4.1, A4.4.2 || DIR, FEI
|-
| 16 || Capstone Project: Data Management System || Student-driven projects combining SQL, compression, and security || A3.2.5, A3.3.1 || CPS, DIR
|-
| 17 || Debugging & Testing the Capstone Project || Structured peer debugging, testing strategies || B2.1.4, B2.5.1 || CPS
|-
| 18 || Peer Reviews & Code Refinement for Capstone || Group feedback sessions || B2.1.3, B2.3.4 || CPS
|-
| 19 || Finalizing & Presenting the Capstone Project || Student presentations || B1.1.3, A3.3.5 (HL) || CPS
|-
| 20 || Semester Review & Exam Preparation || Mock exams, problem-solving drills || All covered standards || All
|}

== Year 1: Semester 2 – System Architecture, Computational Logic & IA Introduction ==
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Weekly Plan for Year 1 - Semester 2 (Aligned with IB Learning Standards)
! Week !! Topic !! Key Learning Activities !! IB Learning Standards !! Conceptual Lens
|-
| 1 || Operating Systems: Memory Management & Process Scheduling || Hands-on OS simulations || A1.3.1, A1.3.2, A1.3.5 (HL) || SC
|-
| 2 || Network Infrastructure & Cloud Computing || Cloud deployment, AWS setup || A2.1.1, A2.1.2, A1.1.9 || SC
|-
| 3 || Virtualization & Cloud-Based Storage || Deploying virtual machines || A2.1.3, A3.4.4 (HL) || SC
|-
| 4 || Cybersecurity Challenges: Ethical Hacking Basics || Hands-on security challenges || A2.4.1, A2.4.3 (HL) || SC, FEI
|-
| 5 || Simulated Attacks on Insecure Databases || SQL injection & security labs || A3.3.6 (HL) || SC
|-
| 6 || Boolean Algebra & Logic Gates || Truth tables, logic circuit exercises || A1.2.3, A1.2.4, A1.2.5 || LCF
|-
| 7 || Truth Tables & Logic Gates (AND, OR, NOT, XOR) || Circuit design labs || A1.2.3, A1.2.4, A1.2.5 || LCF
|-
| 8 || Hands-on Digital Circuit Simulations || Building and debugging circuits || A1.2.5 || LCF
|-
| 9 || Introduction to Compilers & Interpreters (HL Only) || Compiler simulation exercises || A1.4.1 (HL) || SC, LCF
|-
| 10 || Peer Teaching: Building & Debugging Logic Circuits || Group projects || A1.2.5 || LCF
|-
| 11 || IA Introduction: Understanding the IA  || Exploring problem domains, brainstorming project ideas, creating a problem specification || B1.1.1, B1.1.2 || IA
|-
| 12 || Planning || Planning, (GANTT, AGILE) || B1.1.3, B2.5.1 || IA
|-
| 13 || Planning || Sketching UIs, designing initial system architecture || B3.1.2, B3.1.3 || IA
|-
| 14 || System Development || building and making thoughtful choices || B3.1.1, B3.2.1 (HL) || IA
|-
| 15 || System Development || Developing mockups, paper-based system workflows || B3.1.4, B3.2.4 (HL) || IA
|-
| 16 || Development || Review project plans, refine objectives || B3.1.5, B3.2.3 (HL) || IA
|-
| 17 || Ethical Considerations: What Makes a "Good" Computing Project? || Discuss project impact, ethical concerns || A4.4.1, A4.4.2 || FEI
|-
| 18 || Comparing Successful vs. Failed Software Projects || Case study analysis || A3.2.7, A4.4.1 || FEI
|-
| 19 || Development || Initial project documentation, peer and teacher reviews || IA || IA
|-
| 20 || Semester Review & IA Planning for Next Phase || Setting goals for IA development in Year 2 || IA || IA
|}

== Year 2: Semester 1 – Computational Limits, Emerging Technologies & IA Development ==
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Weekly Plan for Year 2 - Semester 1 (Aligned with IB Learning Standards)
! Week !! Topic !! Key Learning Activities !! IB Learning Standards !! Conceptual Lens
|-
| 1 || Big-O Notation & Performance Analysis || Complexity analysis, hands-on coding efficiency comparisons || B2.4.1 || CEC
|-
| 2 || Turing Machines & Decidability || Simulating finite automata, discussions on computational boundaries || B2.4.4, B2.4.5 (HL) || CEC
|-
| 3 || Theoretical Limits of Computation (HL Only) || Exploring P vs NP, algorithmic complexity debates || B2.4.1, A4.3.10 (HL) || CEC
|-
| 4 || Complexity Scavenger Hunt & Efficiency Comparisons || Identifying inefficiencies in existing codebases || B2.4.1, A4.3.3 (HL) || CEC
|-
| 5 || Hands-on Finite State Machine Simulations || Building FSM models to solve computational problems || A4.3.6 (HL), B2.4.4 || CEC
|-
| 6 || AI Coding Assistant for Algorithm Optimization || Using AI tools to optimize existing algorithms || A4.3.10 (HL) || CEC
|-
| 7 || IA Development: Initial Prototype Implementation || Translating design into working code || B3.1.4, B3.2.3 (HL) || IA
|-
| 8 || IA Development: Debugging & Testing || Writing test cases, debugging IA solutions || B2.1.4, B2.5.1 || IA
|-
| 9 || IA Development: User Testing & Survey Feedback || Collecting usability feedback, refining IA solutions || B3.1.5, B3.2.4 (HL) || IA
|-
| 10 || IA Refinements & Final Debugging || Optimizing code, preparing final revisions || B2.3.4, B2.4.3 || IA
|-
| 11 || IA Finalization: Documentation & Evaluation || Writing IA reports, reflecting on process || B1.1.3, B1.1.4 || IA
|-
| 12 || IA Submission to IB || Final proofing and formatting, submission process overview || IA || IA
|-
| 13 || AI-Generated Deepfake Detection Challenge || Identifying AI-generated fakes, ethical discussions || A4.4.1, A4.4.2 || FEI
|-
| 14 || Ethical Case Study: Algorithmic Bias in Hiring Tools || Examining AI bias in real-world applications || A4.4.1, A4.4.2 || FEI
|-
| 15 || Future Trends in AI & Computing || Researching cutting-edge computing fields || A4.1.1, A4.1.2 || FEI
|-
| 16 || Philosophical Implications of AI & Decision Making || Socratic seminar on AI ethics and decision-making || A4.4.1, A4.4.2 || FEI
|-
| 17 || Ethical Roleplay: The AI Regulation Debate || Students act as policymakers debating AI regulations || A4.4.1, A4.4.2 || FEI
|-
| 18 || Gamified Review Session (Jeopardy-Style AI & Security Quiz) || Interactive quiz to reinforce ML & cryptography concepts || All covered standards || CEC, FEI
|-
| 19 || Final Exam Preparation & Review || Review of key computing principles || All covered standards || All
|-
| 20 || Course Wrap-Up & Reflection || Student reflections on learning journey || All covered standards || All
|}




== Year 2: Semester 2 – Ethical Implications, Refinement & Exam Prep ==
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Weekly Plan for Year 2 - Semester 2 (Aligned with IB Learning Standards)
! Week !! Topic !! Key Learning Activities !! IB Learning Standards !! Conceptual Lens
|-
| 1 || Bias in AI & Digital Surveillance || Case study analysis, evaluating AI bias, discussion on digital tracking || A4.4.1, A4.4.2 || FEI
|-
| 2 || Privacy Concerns & Societal Impact of Big Data || Debate on privacy rights, analyzing data collection methods || A4.4.1, A4.4.2 || FEI
|-
| 3 || Blockchain & Autonomous Systems || Hands-on blockchain transactions, ethical discussion on automation || A3.4.4 (HL), A4.3.6 (HL) || FEI
|-
| 4 || Philosophical Implications: Computational Thinking || Socratic seminar, reflection on the nature of computation || B1.1.3, B1.1.2 || FEI
|-
| 5 || Case Studies on Ethical Dilemmas in Computing || Real-world case studies on ethics in AI, big data, and privacy || A4.4.1, A4.4.2 || FEI
|-
| 6 || Research Presentations on Emerging Tech Trends || Student-led research on cutting-edge computing fields || A4.1.1, A4.1.2 || FEI
|-
| 7 || Ethical Roleplay: Policy Makers Discussing AI Regulations || Mock government policy debates on AI regulations || A4.4.1, A4.4.2 || FEI
|-
| 8 || Debate: Should Governments Regulate Social Media Algorithms? || Structured debate, research-based arguments on algorithmic influence || A4.4.1, A4.4.2 || FEI
|-
| 9 || Algorithmic Problem-Solving Practice || Timed coding challenges, problem-solving drills || B2.4.1, B2.4.2, B2.4.3 || CEC
|-
| 10 || Mock Exams & Essay Writing Techniques || Practice essays, structured peer review of written responses || B1.1.3, B1.1.2 || CEC
|-
| 11 || Timed Problem-Solving Drills || Simulated exam conditions, algorithmic challenges || B2.4.1, B2.4.2, B2.4.3 || CEC
|-
| 12 || Socratic Seminar on Key Computing Concepts || Student-led discussions on fundamental computing ideas || B1.1.2, B1.1.3 || FEI
|-
| 13 || Comparison of Past Computational Failures || Case studies on software and system failures || A3.2.7, A4.4.1 || FEI
|-
| 14 || Ethics of AI and Emerging Technologies || Debate on AI rights, future of technology || A4.4.1, A4.4.2 || FEI
|-
| 15 || Gamified Review Session (Jeopardy-Style CS Quiz) || Interactive quiz to reinforce CS concepts || All covered standards || FEI, CEC
|-
| 16 || Final Exam Preparation & Review || Review of key computing principles || All covered standards || All
|-
| 17 || Course Wrap-Up & Reflection || Student reflections on learning journey || All covered standards || All
|}