Using a machine language simulator to teach CS1 concepts

Authors:
Jeffrey A. Stone
Affiliations:
Pennsylvania State University, Schuylkill Haven, Pennsylvania
Venue:
ITiCSE-WGR '06 Working group reports on ITiCSE on Innovation and technology in computer science education
Year:
2006

Citing 3
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Abstract

The use of computer architecture simulators has become common practice in courses designed to teach computer organization. However, little research has been done to test the effectiveness of such simulators in learning introductory programming concepts. In this paper I will discuss the use of a simple architecture and machine language simulator to teach the CS1 concepts of conditional selection and iteration, along with the results of a pilot study on its effectiveness in a structural programming-based CS1 course. Possible other uses for the tool are also considered.