Cecile Yehezkel

Three simulator tools for teaching computer architecture: Little Man computer, and RTLSim

Teaching computer architecture (at any level) is not an easy task.To enhance learning, a critical mass of educators has begun usingsimulator visualizations of different computer architectures. Herewe present three representative computer architecture simulatorsfor learning which show that there is a growing consensus forcomputer simulation as a teaching tool for complex dynamicprocesses, such as underlying computer operations. Simulators alsoshow the wide spectrum of pedagogical goals for teaching computerorganization and architecture. Specifically, the three simulatorswe describe are (1) EasyCPU for the Intel 80x86 family of CPUs; (2)Little Man Computer for a general von Neumann computerarchitecture; and (3) RTLSim, a data path simulator for a MIPS-likeCPU. An appendix is provided for more detailed descriptions of eachsimulator.

Computer architecture and mental models

The EasyCPU visualization environment was developed for teaching computer architecture to novice students of computer science. During the development, the process of choosing the appropriate conceptual model of the computer for the visualization motivated research on the mental models that arise in the students as they learn. These mental models come from attempts by the students to make sense of the conceptual models presented to them by the software tool and their learning materials (textbook and exercises). The research findings support the view that the visualization was critical in enabling the construction of a viable mental model, a process that did not occur from textbook learning alone, because for the majority of students, their mental models were based upon their end-user experience rather than on the theoretical learning.

Bridging the gap between school computing and the “real world”

For the last two years the “Computer Science, Academia and Industry” enrichment program has been conducted at the Davidson Institute of Science Education. The extra-curricular program was especially designed for high-school students who major in computer science (CS) or software engineering (SE). The program blends formal and informal learning and provides students with the opportunity to meet with leading representatives of the CS/SE communities of practice. One main goal of the program is to bridge the gap between the school and “real world” of computing that is related to content, learning style, and professional norms. We believe that exposure to the state-of-the-art academic and industrial research and development, to advanced technologies and methodologies, and to professional norms, will establish a different culture of learning, and will provide the students with an entry point into the computing community of practice. Moreover, it is imperative that academia and the high-tech industry will take an active part in educating potential newcomers and will contribute to making the computing professional domain more attractive, especially in the context of the recent high-tech crises. In the paper we describe the extra-curricular program, and discuss implement-tation aspects.

The Contribution of Visualization to Learning Computer Architecture.

This paper describes a visualization environment and associated learning activities designed to improve learning of computer architecture. The environment, EasyCPU, displays a model of the components of a computer and the dynamic processes involved in program execution. We present the results of a research program that analysed the contribution of the visualization to learning. We found that EasyCPU facilitated the use of improved study methods and enabled the construction of a viable mental model of the computer.

Learning computer organization and assembly language with the EasyCPU visual environment

Several simulators that teach computer organization were described in previous work. There are also professional tools, such as debuggers, available for the development of assembly language programs. However, these tools are generally too sophisticated and complex to meet the special needs of introductory-level students. We describe an interactive visual learning environment EasyCPU especially designed for teaching computer organization and assembly language at the introductory level.

The scientific method and software testing integrated into the same lesson

In our poster, we propose a hands-on activity intended to educate students to the notion that neither the claim that a software application is free of a certain bug, nor a scientific hypothesis can be proven. Yet, we can increase our confidence in eithers validity by genuine attempts of falsification.