Electrical and Computer Engineering Publications
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
9-2024
Journal
35th Annual Workshop - Psychology of Programming Interest Group
First Page
69
Last Page
76
Abstract
This paper discusses further evaluations of the educational effectiveness of an existing CPU visual simulator (CPUVSIM). The CPUVSIM, as an Open Educational Resource, has been iteratively improved over a number of years following an Open Pedagogy approach, and was designed to enhance novices’ understanding of computer operation and mapping from high-level code to assembly language. The literature reports previous evaluations of the simulator, at K12 and undergraduate level, conducted from the perspectives of both developers and students, albeit with a limited sample size and primarily through qualitative methods. This paper describes additional evaluation activities designed to provide a more comprehensive assessment, across diverse educational settings: an action research pilot study recently carried out in Singapore and the planning of a more quantitative-oriented study in Dubai, with a larger sample size. Results from the pilot study in Singapore confirm the effectiveness and high level of appreciation of the tool, alongside a few identified challenges, which inform the planning of the more comprehensive evaluation in Dubai.
Citation of this paper:
- Cortinovis R., Tamer M.A., Devender G., Capretz L.F., Further Evaluations of a Didactic CPU Visual Simulator (CPUVSIM), Psychology of Programming Interest Group Conference (PPIG 2024), Liverpool, U.K., 8 pages, September 2024.
