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The Effects of Teaching a Hypothetical Computer Architecture with Computer Simulators.

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Title: The Effects of Teaching a Hypothetical Computer Architecture with Computer Simulators.
Language: English
Authors: DeNardo, Anette M., Pyzdrowski, Anthony S.
Peer Reviewed: N
Page Count: 8
Publication Date: 1992
Document Type: Reports - Research
Speeches/Meeting Papers
Descriptors: Aptitude Treatment Interaction, Computer Assisted Instruction, Computer Science Education, Computer Simulation, Higher Education, Hypermedia, Microcomputers, Pretests Posttests, Programing, Research Methodology, Statistical Analysis
Abstract: This paper presents the results of a study on the effects of using 3 simulators with 14 computer science majors enrolled in an undergraduate computer architecture course. Three ability groups (high, medium, and low) were formed based on the students' quality point averages for prior computer science courses. Analyses of data from a pretest, a posttest, instructor-prepared achievement tests following each of the simulators, programming assignments, and survey results showed: (1) no significant differences among the three groups on the pretest and posttest scores; (2) only the low and medium ability groups showed significant performance gains from pretest to posttest; (3) the use of the simulators equalized the student performance in the three ability groups; (4) nonsignificant differences on both programming assignments for all ability groups; (5) positive student attitudes toward and perceptions of the use of simulators; and (6) student perceptions that the simulators made learning about computer architecture more concrete, and helped in writing and understanding programs and microsequences of instructions. Suggestions for further research are presented including using larger samples, different methodology for defining the ability groups, and the use of qualitative interviews to ascertain student perceptions. Six figures present the results of the various statistical analyses. (Contains 5 references.) (ALF)
Entry Date: 1993
Accession Number: ED351000
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
  Availability: 0
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  – Url: https://eric.ed.gov/contentdelivery/servlet/ERICServlet?accno=ED351000
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PubType: Report
PubTypeId: report
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IllustrationInfo
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  Data: The Effects of Teaching a Hypothetical Computer Architecture with Computer Simulators.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22DeNardo%2C+Anette+M%2E%22">DeNardo, Anette M.</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Pyzdrowski%2C+Anthony+S%2E%22">Pyzdrowski, Anthony S.</searchLink>
– Name: PeerReviewed
  Label: Peer Reviewed
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  Data: N
– Name: Pages
  Label: Page Count
  Group: Src
  Data: 8
– Name: DatePubCY
  Label: Publication Date
  Group: Date
  Data: 1992
– Name: TypeDocument
  Label: Document Type
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  Data: Reports - Research<br />Speeches/Meeting Papers
– Name: Subject
  Label: Descriptors
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Aptitude+Treatment+Interaction%22">Aptitude Treatment Interaction</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Computer+Assisted+Instruction%22">Computer Assisted Instruction</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Computer+Science+Education%22">Computer Science Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Computer+Simulation%22">Computer Simulation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Higher+Education%22">Higher Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Hypermedia%22">Hypermedia</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Microcomputers%22">Microcomputers</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Pretests+Posttests%22">Pretests Posttests</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Programing%22">Programing</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Research+Methodology%22">Research Methodology</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Statistical+Analysis%22">Statistical Analysis</searchLink>
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: This paper presents the results of a study on the effects of using 3 simulators with 14 computer science majors enrolled in an undergraduate computer architecture course. Three ability groups (high, medium, and low) were formed based on the students' quality point averages for prior computer science courses. Analyses of data from a pretest, a posttest, instructor-prepared achievement tests following each of the simulators, programming assignments, and survey results showed: (1) no significant differences among the three groups on the pretest and posttest scores; (2) only the low and medium ability groups showed significant performance gains from pretest to posttest; (3) the use of the simulators equalized the student performance in the three ability groups; (4) nonsignificant differences on both programming assignments for all ability groups; (5) positive student attitudes toward and perceptions of the use of simulators; and (6) student perceptions that the simulators made learning about computer architecture more concrete, and helped in writing and understanding programs and microsequences of instructions. Suggestions for further research are presented including using larger samples, different methodology for defining the ability groups, and the use of qualitative interviews to ascertain student perceptions. Six figures present the results of the various statistical analyses. (Contains 5 references.) (ALF)
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  Data: 1993
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  Data: ED351000
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RecordInfo BibRecord:
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    Languages:
      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 8
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Aptitude Treatment Interaction
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Computer Assisted Instruction
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Computer Science Education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Computer Simulation
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Higher Education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Hypermedia
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Microcomputers
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Pretests Posttests
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Programing
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Research Methodology
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Statistical Analysis
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: The Effects of Teaching a Hypothetical Computer Architecture with Computer Simulators.
        Type: main
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      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: DeNardo, Anette M.
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Pyzdrowski, Anthony S.
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          Dates:
            – D: 05
              M: 03
              Type: published
              Y: 1992
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