Zarko Stanisavljevic

Transition from traditional to LMS supported examining: A case study in computer engineering

Modern education is hard to imagine without the use of e‐learning tools, but still the transition from traditional “paper‐and‐pencil” examining to electronic exams is to some extent cautious. Although course administration and exam evaluation are much easier with learning management systems, there are concerns among teaching staff, that electronic tests simplify examination process compared to paper tests and classic examining. At the University of Belgrade, School of Electrical Engineering, e‐learning tools are used at several exams, mostly as a secondary tool to aid with laboratory exercises. In this paper, we show our experience with four courses from the computer engineering study program that are to various extent moved to Moodle LMS, and electronic examining. We mostly concentrate on certain aspects of transition from paper tests to electronic exams. We present 12 different transformations needed to conform to electronic examining and automated evaluation, and discuss benefits and drawbacks of such a transition.

A classification of eLearning tools based on the applied multimedia

This paper proposes a classification that should help understanding key aspects of multimedia application in eLearning tools. The classification tries to cover important aspects of multimedia application in eLearning tools: communication channels and exchange of different types of contents throughout the channels, understanding in communication, and the ways of object manipulation in the user-tool interaction. Types of contents are classified according to the senses they affect on both sides of communication channels. The paper presents characteristics of 30 representative tools through a uniformly structured text. The presented tools are analyzed according to the proposed classification. A view of the future challenges, based on an analysis of the global trends in the area, is given.

Visual software system for memory interleaving simulation

This paper describes the visual software system for memory interleaving simulation (VSMIS), implemented for the purpose of the course Computer Architecture and Organization 1, at the School of Electrical Engineering, University of Belgrade. The simulator enables students to expand their knowledge through practical work in the laboratory, as well as through independent work at home. VSMIS gives users the possibility to initialize parts of the system and to control simulation steps. The user has the ability to monitor simulation through graphical representation. It is possible to navigate through the entire hierarchy of the system using simple navigation. During the simulation the user can observe and set the values of the memory location. At any time, the user can reset the simulation of the system and observe it for different memory states; in addition, it is possible to save the current state of the simulation and continue with the execution of the simulation later.

Data encryption standard visual representation

This paper describes a method for visual representation of Data Encryption Standard (DES) algorithm. The described method was implemented in the COALA (CryptOgraphic Algorithms visuaL simulAtion) system, which was developed at the School of Electrical Engineering, University of Belgrade. The COALA system is designed to help students who study Computer security course to better understand one of the core topics, i.e. cryptographic algorithms. Some major problems considering the visual representation of the DES algorithm are elaborated in the paper. The manner in which these problems were overcame in the COALA system and the specifics about the implementation of the DES algorithm are explained. At the end a short discussion on the effects of the COALA system in education and directions for future work are given.

Application of Moodle platform in computer engineering courses

In the modern educational process e-learning tools have an increasing application. There are a number of systems that can be used for various purposes and at various levels of education. This paper presents experiences in using one such system as a platform for teaching in higher education. Moodle platform has been successfully used at several computer engineering courses at the School of Electrical Engineering, University of Belgrade. The paper explaines to what purpose the system was used and how the transition from traditional teaching was made. The perceived advantages and disadvantages of the use of such a system are given.

Software system for visual representation of the Advanced Encryption Standard algorithm

This paper describes a software system for visual representation of the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) algorithm implemented for easier understanding of its way of functioning. The system allows monitoring of the algorithm execution, step by step, for arbitrary input values. The user can specify the key and data, for which the system returns matching encrypted data. The formation of encrypted data can be tracked in iterations, where in each iteration the user can get a detailed visual representation of the execution of each step of the algorithm on the byte operation level on which the algorithm is based.

Configurable simulator for computer architecture and organization

This paper presents a novel visual educational configurable simulator for computer architecture and organization (COCONUT). By using the simulator students can create their own processor with an arbitrary architecture and simple organization on the register transfer level, write an assembly program to be executed on the processor and observe the instruction execution phases of the program on the processor. The students can create their processor by using the simulator of a computer system with fixed and configurable parts. The configurable part allows students to use the simulator for defining the instruction decoding of the processor operation unit and the content of the microprogram memory of the processor control unit. The simulators usage was evaluated at the University of Belgrade—School of Electrical Engineering on two courses for two consecutive school years. The evaluation results showed that 80% of the students stated that the simulator helped them to better understand the course material and that they had a positive user experience with the simulator.

Adding practical experience to computer security course

Computer security has become one of the core areas according to IEEE Computer Society and ACM Joint Task Force curriculum guidelines for undergraduate degree programs in computer engineering and software engineering. At the University of Belgrade, School of Electrical Engineering there is a course called Computer Security that is taught to software engineering and computer engineering students for the past 9 years. During this time a significant change was made to the course regarding the level of practical students’ work. Several factors initiated the change: the recommendations in the curriculum guidelines, the analysis of the students’ success at the exams, and the students’ opinion. The impact of gradual transition from no practical activities at all to laboratory exercises and practical project at the course are described in this paper. Results show that the introduction of laboratory exercises at the course helped students to better understand some of the core areas and that the introduction of practical project increased their overall knowledge in the computer security area.