Teaching aid tool for Computer Organization and Architecture: Ptolemy extension for educational purposes

Abstract

The use of simulators in education is increasingly present in pedagogical activities. In this new reality, various applications aim to facilitate the construction of knowledge by teachers for students through dynamic methods and presenting lessons for multiple branches without great effort or unnecessary repetitions. It has been observed that the teaching of some introductory concepts in essential courses often presents a level of abstraction that impairs the learning of computer science students, who already face significant difficulties in dealing with hardware-related subjects. In this regard, this paper presents the results achieved with the application of an extension developed in a modeling and simulation tool for concurrent systems based on actors, called Ptolemy. The extension was created to contribute to the teaching-learning process of the Computer Organization and Architecture course for undergraduate students.