Alfred asked me to clarify what I meant in my comments. I’m happy to teach what ever anyone wants me to teach in Computer Science, be it regular, PreAP, or AP.
Tell me, provide me with materials, and I’m happy with it.
That being said, I do think programming in a modern, GUI oriented programming is right up there with what we should be teaching. What is it that students interact with most when they interact with computers — yep, programs.
One of the reasons I mention programming in a GUI oriented programming, is that I believe that the human computer interface should be a focal point in a beginning CS class. The earlier you learn to design interfaces the better.
I also do believe that computer networks is also right up there with things that kids should know — why, because of the internet. Students also interact with computer networks.
I also believe students need to understand enough about hardware that they can actually go out and buy a computer system, set it up and install it.
The hard part though, and the part that AP development committee faces each year, is how to do test any of the above? It’s easy to test obscure programming stuff, harder to test concepts.