IDENTIFIERS *Computer Architecture

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 attitude