Instructional Applets for Computer Architecture Concepts

Teresa W. Carrigan
Daniel Steven IV
Crystal Barchet
Adam Wright
Christine Thomas

Students often have difficulty grasping basic computer architecture concepts, particularly data representation. We have developed a set of applets to animate and reinforce many of these concepts.

The applets are organized by chapter of Null and Lobur’s textbook Essentials of Computer Organization and Architecture, second edition. Although the applets could be used during a lecture to illustrate concepts, we use them primarily outside the classroom to generate random examples. Students are encouraged to watch the appropriate NetLogo applet for a homework problem, and then test themselves using the applet, before attempting written homework. For some topics, there are Java applets that offer self-quizzes with immediate feedback. Students can repeat the exercises, getting different but similar problems each time, until they are confident they understand the concepts.

Chapter 2 - Data Representation in Computer Systems

Chapters 5, 6 - Instruction Set Architectures, Memory


Applets were written by Teresa Carrigan and various Blackburn College students, 2004-2007. Applets might not run on Windows 95 or Mac OS 8 or 9. You may obtain the latest Java plugin from Sun's Java site.

Tools used to create this website and the applets on it include NetBeans, NetLogo, and ArachnophiliaSpider.