Course Code:ICS4U
Course Description
This course enables students to further develop knowledge and skills in computer science. Students will use modular design principles to create complex and fully documented programs, according to industry standards. Student teams will manage a large software development project, from planning through to project review. Students will also analyse algorithms for effectiveness. They will investigate ethical issues in computing and further explore environmental issues, emerging technologies, areas of research in computer science, and careers in the field.
Department: Computer Studies
Course Type: University Preparation
Credit Value: 1.0
Grade: 12
Prerequisite: ICS3U, Introduction to Computer Science, Grade 11, University Preparation
Curriculum Policy Document: Computer Studies, The Ontario Curriculum, Grades 10 to 12, 2008 (Revised)
Course Developer:
Development Date: 2021
Course Outline
Computer Science ICS4U - Total Hours (110 Hours)
Unit One: Programming Concepts and Skills (30 Hours)
Unit Two: Software Development (30 Hours)
Unit Three: Designing Modular Programs (20 Hours)
Unit Four: Topics in Computer Science (20 Hours)
Exam (10 hours)
This is a summative task assigned at the end of the course that brings together many of the expectations covered throughout the course and is created to assess and evaluate a student’s ability to demonstrate their understanding of the expectations through not only the product, but through conversation and observation.
Resources required by the student:
- A scanner, smartphone camera, or similar device to upload handwritten or hand-drawn work.
- Laptop and/or personal computer (preferably with Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox as a web browser)
- Access to video recording and handwritten work scanning (mobile phone, tablet, iPad, webcams)
- Stable internet connection
- A non-programmable, non-graphing, scientific calculator
Resources provided by Canadian Global School
- Access to Google Suites or Microsoft Education for word processing software and presentation software. (The school will distribute accounts to students).
- Supplemental Readings
- Access to Canva for Education if needed
- Java Development Kit (JDK) from Oracle® (A link to download this software for free is provided in the course)
- Eclipse® IDE (A link to download this free software for Mac® or Windows® is provided in the course)
Note: This course is entirely online and does not require or rely on any textbook.
ICS4U Grade 12 University/College Preparation Overall Curriculum Expectations
Overall Expectations:
By the end of this course, students will:
- A1-Demonstrate the ability to use different data types and expressions when creating computer programs;
- A2-Describe and use modular programming concepts and principles in the creation of computer programs;
- A3-Design and write algorithms and subprograms to solve a variety of problems;
- A4-Use proper code maintenance techniques when creating computer programs.
Overall Expectations:
By the end of this course, students will:
- B1-Demonstrate the ability to manage the software development process effectively, through all of its stages – planning, development, production, and closing;
- B2-apply standard project management techniques in the context of a student-managed team project.
Overall Expectations:
By the end of this course, students will:
- C1-Demonstrate the ability to apply modular design concepts in computer programs;
- C2-Analyse algorithms for their effectiveness in solving a problem.
Overall Expectations:
By the end of this course, students will:
- D1-assess strategies and initiatives that promote environmental stewardship with respect to the use of computers and related technologies;
- D2-analyse ethical issues and propose strategies to encourage ethical practices related to the use of computers;
- D3-analyse the impact of emerging computer technologies on society and the economy;
- D4-research and report on different areas of research in computer science, and careers related to computer science.
Strategies for Assessment and Evaluation of Student Performance
There are three forms of assessment that will be used throughout this course:
Assessment for learning will directly influence student learning by reinforcing the connections between assessment and instruction, and provide ongoing feedback to the student. Assessment for learning occurs as part of the daily teaching process and helps teachers form a clear picture of the needs of the students because students are encouraged to be more active in their learning and associated assessment. Teachers gather this information to shape their teaching environment.
Assessment for learning is:
- Ongoing
- Is tied to learning outcomes
- Provides information that structures the teachers’ planning and instruction
- Allows teachers to provide immediate and descriptive feedback that will guide student learning
The purpose of assessment for learning is to create self-regulated and lifelong learners.
Assessment as learning is the use of a task or an activity to allow students the opportunity to use assessment to further their own learning. Self and peer assessments allow students to reflect on their own learning and identify areas of strength and need. These tasks offer students the chance to set their own personal goals and advocate for their own learning.
The purpose of assessment as learning is to enable students to monitor their own progress towards achieving their learning goals.
Assessment of learning will occur at or near the end of a period of learning; this summary is used to make judgements about the quality of student learning using established criteria, to assign a value to represent that quality and to communicate information about achievement to students and parents.
Evidence of student achievement for evaluation is collected over time from three different sources – observations, conversations, and student products. Using multiple sources of evidence will increase the reliability and validity of the evaluation of student learning.
Teaching and Learning Strategies
The aim of this course is to advance students’ understanding of computer programming concepts in order to create more complex computer programs that meet industry standards. In order to achieve this goal, a wide variety of instructional strategies are used to provide learning opportunities to accommodate a variety of learning styles, interests, and ability levels.
- Differentiated Learning and Assessment: This course allows students the flexibility to not only work through the course in the order they are most comfortable with, but also lets them select options for assessments that best fit their respective skill sets and comfort levels. The goal is to allow the student to demonstrate their understanding and ability through a variety of assessment opportunities.
- Communicating – Students will communicate their learning in a variety of ways.
- Technology and Media Strategies: Activity-specific skills and strategies are supported by video instruction. This allows students to see the movements prior to participation.
- Thinking Skills Strategies: Through the use of case studies and self-reflection, students will learn to think creatively and critically about issues involving healthy and active living.
- Students interact in student-paced and instructor-paced interactive, engaging instructional lessons.
- Students will design and write programs using object oriented programming (Java) to develop algorithms to solve a variety of problems.
- Students will have the opportunity to apply programming and project management techniques in a student-managed project.
- Students will explore the breadth of topics of studies involved in computer science by investigating topics in computer science theory; career opportunities in Computer Science; the impact of emergent technologies, and ethical issues and practices in computer science
- Opportunities to learn in a variety of ways- individually, cooperatively, independently, with teacher direction, through hands-on experiences, and through examples followed by practice.
- By accomplishing prompts on interactive lessons, students can reflect on different texts. In addition, constant communication with teachers ensures that the students understand complex topics and apply them in their writing. They can also accomplish other tasks through the use of: virtual labs, online simulations, animations, videos, discussion forums, live chat and other interactive objects.
ENROLL A CHILD
The Final Grade
| Percentage of Final Mark | Categories of Mark Breakdown |
| 70% | Assessments of Learning Tasks Throughout the Term |
| 30% | Final Written Examination And/Or RST |
A student’s final grade is reflective of their most recent and most consistent level of achievement.
The balance of the weighting of the categories of the achievement chart throughout the course is:
| Computer Science | Knowledge | Inquiry/Thinking | Communication | Application |
| 100% | 20% | 30% | 20% | 30% |
The Report Card
Student achievement will be communicated formally to students via an official report card. Report cards are issued at the midterm point in the course, as well as upon completion of the course. Each report card will focus on two distinct, but related aspects of student achievement.
First, the achievement of curriculum expectations is reported as a percentage grade. Additionally, the course median is reported as a percentage. The teacher will also provide written comments concerning the student’s strengths, areas for improvement, and next steps. Second, the learning skills are reported as a Needs Improvement, Satisfactory, Good and Excellent. The report card also indicates whether an OSSD credit has been earned.
Upon completion of a course, Canadian Global School will send a copy of the report card back to the student’s home school (if in Ontario) where the course will be added to the ongoing list of courses on the student’s Ontario Student Transcript. The report card will also be sent to the student’s home address.
Program Planning Considerations for Online Courses
Cheating and Plagiarism
Canadian Global School commits to having policies for assessments that minimize the risk of cheating. We also commit to begin each course with refresher learning on academic integrity.
In the event of incidences of academic dishonesty, the student, Academic Director (and, in the case of students under 18, their parents) will be notified of the occurrence, of the consequence, and of the potential consequences of subsequent incidents.
Improper Citation
Grades 11 and 12
- First Instance: A warning and an opportunity to redo the piece.
- Subsequent Instance: An opportunity to redo the piece to a maximum grade of 75%.
Unaccredited Paraphrasing
Grade 11 and 12
- First Instance: An opportunity to redo the piece to a maximum grade of 75%.
- Subsequent Instance: An opportunity to redo the piece to a maximum grade of 50%.
Unaccredited Verbatim
Grades 11 and 12
- First Instance: An opportunity to redo the piece to a maximum grade of 50%.
- Subsequent Instance: A grade of zero. No opportunity to resubmit.
Full Plagiarism
Grade 11 and 12
- First Instance: A grade of zero. No opportunity to resubmit.
- Subsequent Instance: A grade zero. No opportunity to resubmit.
Instructional Approaches
Teachers will use a variety of instructional strategies to help students become independent, strategic and successful learners. The key to student success is effective, accessible instruction. When planning this course of instruction, the teacher will identify the main concept and skills of the course, consider the context in which students will apply their learning and determine the students’ learning goals. The instructional program for this course will be well planned and will support students in reaching their optimal level of challenge for learning, while directly teaching the skills that are required for success.
Understanding student strengths and needs will enable the teacher to plan effective instruction and meaningful assessments. Throughout this course, the teacher will continually observe and assess the students’ readiness to learn, their interests, and their preferred learning styles and individual learning needs.
Teachers will use differentiated instructional approaches such as:
- adjusting the method or pace of instruction
- using a variety of resources
- allowing a wide choice of topics
- adjusting the learning environment
- scaffolding instruction
During this course, the teacher will provide multiple opportunities for students to apply their knowledge and skills and consolidate and reflect upon their learning.
Planning the Program for Students with Special Educational Needs
The teacher in this course is the key educator of students with special education needs. The teacher has a responsibility to help all students learn, and will work collaboratively with the guidance counselor, where appropriate, to achieve this goal. In planning this course, the teacher will pay particular attention to the following guidelines:
- All students have the ability to succeed
- Each student has his or her own unique patterns of learning
- Successful instructional practices are founded on evidence-based research, tempered by experience
- Universal design and differentiated instruction are effective and interconnected means of meeting the learning or productivity needs of any group of students
- Online teachers are the key educators for a student’s literacy and numeracy development
- Online teachers need the support of the larger school community to create a learning environment that supports students with special education needs
- Fairness is not sameness
The teacher will use the following strategies:
| Students with Special Educational Needs | |
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Planning the Program for Students with English as a Second Language
In planning this course for students with linguistic backgrounds other than English, the teacher will create a safe, supportive, and welcoming environment that nurtures the students’ self-confidence while they are receiving course instruction. Most English language learners who have developed oral proficiency in everyday English will nevertheless require instructional scaffolding to meet curriculum expectations. The teacher will adapt the instructional program in order to facilitate the success of these students in their classes. Appropriate adaptations and strategies for this course will include:
| Students with English as Second Language | |
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Supporting First Nations, Métis and Inuit Students
Canadian Global School will promote active and engaged citizenship, which includes greater awareness of the distinct place and role of Indigenous (First Nation, Métis, and Inuit) peoples in our shared heritage and in the future in Ontario.
Canadian Global School will:
- increase the focus in school strategic planning to promote the voluntary, confidential self-identification of First Nation, Métis, and Inuit students as a means to enhance the success and well-being of Aboriginal students and to help close the achievement gap
- continue to identify and share practices and resources to help improve First Nation, Métis, and Inuit student achievement and close the achievement gap
- increase the training in our schools to respond to the learning and cultural needs of First Nation, Métis, and Inuit students
- provide quality programs, services, and resources at our schools to support First Nation, Métis, and Inuit student
- provide quality programs, services, and resources at our schools who support First Nation, Métis, and Inuit students to help create learning opportunities that support improved academic achievement and identify building
- provide curriculum links that facilitates learning about contemporary and traditional First National, Métis, and Inuit cultures, histories, and perspectives among all students
- develop awareness among teachers of the learning styles of First Nation, Métis, and Inuit students and employ instructional methods designed to enhance the learning of all First Nation, Métis, and Inuit students
- implement targeted learning strategies for effective oral communication and mastery of reading and writing
- implement strategies for developing critical and creative thinking
- provide access to a variety of accurate and reliable Aboriginal resources such as periodicals, books, software, and resources in other media, including materials in the main Aboriginal languages in schools with First Nation, Métis, and Inuit students
- provide a supportive and safe environment for all First Nation, Métis, and Inuit students
The Role of Information and Communication Technology
ICT tools will be integrated into this course for whole-class instruction and for the design of curriculum units that contain varied approaches to learning in order to meet diverse needs and interests of the students in this class. At the beginning of this class, all students will be made aware of issues related to Internet privacy, safety, and responsible use, as well as of the potential for abuse of this technology, particularly when it is used to promote hatred. ICT used in this course will include:
| Information and Communication Technology | |
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Literacy, Mathematical Literacy, and Inquiry Skills
At Canadian Global School it is the responsibility of all of our teachers to explicitly teach literacy and inquiry skills. The following skills will be developed in each course delivered at Canadian Global
School :
Equity & Inclusive Education in the Learning Environment
At Canadian Global School we embrace multiculturalism, human rights and diversity as fundamental values. Bullying, hate propaganda and cyber bullying, racism, religious intolerance, homophobia and gender-based violence are still evident in
Healthy Relationships in the learning Environment
At Canadian Global School , every student is entitled to learn in a safe, respectful and caring environment, free from violence and harassment. The teacher will create a safe and supportive environment in the class by cultivating
Financial Literacy Connections
There is a growing recognition that the education system has a vital role to play in preparing young people to take their place as informed, engaged, and knowledgeable citizens in the global economy.
Environmental Education Connections
Although there are no specific environmental connections in this course, teachers will develop an environmental understanding fostered through
Ethics in the Learning Environment
At Canadian Global School teachers provide varied opportunities for students to learn about ethical issues and to explore the role of ethics in decision making.
Cooperative education programs allow students to earn secondary school credits while completing a work placement in the community. These programs compliment students’ academic programs and are valuable for all students, whatever their post-secondary destination.
Cooperative education courses may be earned using this course as one of the related courses.
Central to the philosophy at Canadian Global School is the focus on experiential learning. Planned learning experiences in the community, including job shadowing, field trips, and hands-on experiences will provide our students with opportunities to see the relevance of their classroom learning in a work setting, make connections between school and work, and explore a career of interest as they plan their pathways through secondary school and make postsecondary plans.
As part of every course, students must be made aware that health and safety in their learning environment are the responsibility of all participants – at home, at school, and in the workplace. Teachers will model safe practices at all times when communicating with students online.
Although Canadian Global School does not have an official school library, students are encouraged to use e-books, local libraries, GALE resource archives and Curriculum Video Digital resources to develop important research and inquiry skills.
Promotion of Careers
The knowledge and skills students acquire in this course will be useful in helping students recognize the value of their education and applications to the world outside of school and identify possible careers, essential skills and work habits required to succeed. Students will learn how to connect their learning in asking questions and finding answers to employable skills.
During this course the teacher will:
- ensure that all students develop the knowledge and skills they need to make informed education and career/life choices;
- Provide learning environment and online school-wide opportunities for this learning; and;
- Engage parents and the broader community in the development, implementation, and evaluation of the program, to support students in their learning
- Use the four-step inquiry process linked to the four areas of learning
- Knowing yourself – Who am I ?
- Exploring opportunities – What are my opportunities?
- Making decisions and setting goals – Who do I want to become?
- Achieving goals and making transitions – What is my plan for achieving my goals?
The teacher will support students in this course in education and career/life planning by providing them with learning opportunities, filtered through the lens of the four inquiry questions, that allow them to apply subject-specific knowledge and skills to work-related situations; explore subject-related education and career/life options; and become competent, self-directed planners.