Comparing the Effectiveness of a Microprocessor Training System and a Simulator to Teach Computer Architecture

TOPALOĞLU N., ŞAHİN S., ULUYOL Ç.

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENGINEERING EDUCATION, cilt.34, sa.3, ss.1138-1144, 2018 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 34 Sayı: 3
  • Basım Tarihi: 2018
  • Dergi Adı: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENGINEERING EDUCATION
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.1138-1144
  • Gazi Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Computer architecture is one of the basic courses in computer engineering departments. In this course both training systems and simulators are widely used for practice. The objective of this study is to compare a commercially available microprocessor training system (Lab-Volt) and a more affordable simulator (Visual 6502 Microprocessor Simulator). The comparison was based on 93 students enrolled in a computer architecture course. They were divided into two groups: one used the commercially available trainer and the other used the simulator. The assessment data were based on the results from a questionnaire completed by students and on their academic performance in the course. The results revealed that both tools support learning computer architecture and do not have significant differences in terms of learning outcomes. However, the simulator offers visual advantages compared to the training system.