Navigating AP Course Materials: College Board's Role in Lesson Development

Teaching Advanced Placement (AP) courses can be a challenging yet rewarding experience. One aspect that often catches the attention of AP teachers is the role of the College Board in developing and approving course materials. This article explores the intricacies of the College Board's involvement in lesson generation and highlights the challenges and opportunities that come with it.

The Role of the College Board in AP Course Materials

The College Board is a non-profit organization that oversees the Advanced Placement (AP) program. AP teachers are required to submit detailed course outlines for each AP course to the College Board for approval. This process ensures that the course content meets the standards set by the organization. The teacher retains the primary responsibility for choosing the materials and creating both written lessons and exams. However, the College Board provides a wealth of resources to support this process, including digital written lessons, quizzes, and exams.

The Process of Course Outline Submission and Approval

Submitting a course outline to the College Board is not a straightforward task. It demands careful planning, comprehensive research, and adherence to strict guidelines. Many teachers find this process challenging and require multiple attempts to receive approval. The process involves several steps:

Research and Planning: Teachers must thoroughly research the subject matter and outline the course structure. Outline Submission: The teacher submits the course outline for initial review. Feedback and Revision: The College Board provides feedback, and the teacher must make necessary revisions. Second Submission: After revision, the teacher resubmits the updated outline. Final Approval: The College Board reviews the final version and provides approval.

It is important to note that the process may vary, and some teachers might find the first attempt successful. However, the majority of teachers require multiple rounds to ensure that their course outline meets the stringent standards set by the College Board.

Collected Digital Lessons and Resources

One significant benefit that the College Board offers to AP teachers is the availability of digital written lessons, quizzes, and exams through its platform, AP Classroom. These materials are designed to supplement the teacher's own lesson plans and provide students with additional resources to enhance their learning experience. The College Board provides:

Digital Written Lessons: Detailed, written lessons that can be shared with students. Quizzes: Formative assessments that help teachers gauge student understanding. Exams: Comprehensive summative assessments that reflect the content of the course.

These resources are invaluable tools for both teachers and students. They streamline the lesson planning process and offer a structured approach to teaching the AP curriculum.

The Importance of Interactive Video Lessons

While the College Board provides digital written lessons, many teachers have expressed a preference for interactive video lessons. Video lessons are engaging and offer a different form of instruction that can cater to diverse learning styles. Teachers who include video lessons in their curriculum often find that students are more motivated and engaged in the learning process.

However, the use of interactive video lessons is not universal. Some teachers may choose to only use them if they are credited appropriately. This can be an issue as video lessons are not as easily sold outside the classroom, unlike other forms of digital content. The lack of financial rewards for creating video lessons can be a significant barrier for some educators.

Ultimately, the decision to use video lessons or other forms of digital content should be based on what best meets the needs of the students and aligns with the educational goals of the course. It is crucial to balance the quality of the content with the teacher's ability to obtain recognition and rewards for their efforts.

In conclusion, the College Board plays a significant role in providing digital resources to support AP teachers. The process of submitting and approving course outlines can be challenging, but the benefits of using the College Board's resources are substantial. Interactive video lessons are an additional tool that can enhance the learning experience, but the financial and recognition aspects should also be considered.