The knob & switch computer

Abstract

The Knob & Switch Computer is a computer architecture simulator designed to teach beginning students the basics of computer organization. It differs from existing simulators in two significant ways: (1) it incorporates cognitive hooks in the form of knobs and switches that encourage exploration and discovery on the part of the student; and (2) it can be presented one component at a time, starting with a simple interactive data path and building incrementally to a full-featured stored program machine. Both of these features make it possible to engage beginning students and effectively convey an understanding of how computers work. The Knob & Switch Computer simulator can also motivate the study of other computing topics such as data representation, assembly language programming, and RISC vs. CISC architectures. In addition to describing the Knob & Switch Computer, we discuss experiences using the simulator in breadth-based introductory courses both at Dickinson College and Creighton University.