Impact of PLP on Student Learning: Initial Results

Impact of PLP on Student Learning: Initial Results The Progressive Learning Platform (PLP) is a System on a Chip design with accompanyingtools reflecting a contemporary CPU architecture. All hardware components of PLP are written inVerilog HDL, are open-source, and are freely available. To support the hardware components, aunified assembler, cycle accurate emulator, and board interface software package is included. Thesoftware is written in Java, works on Linux, Windows, and Mac OS, is open-source, and is freelyavailable. The PLP hardware and software components are licensed under the General PublicLicense version 3 to encourage open access and contribution. All parts of the system are publiclyhosted and a public mailing list is used to serve as a communication channel between users anddevelopers of the system. This paper reports on the pilot study that examines the impact of PLP on student learningin an introductory microprocessors class. Both quantitative and qualitative data showed thatstudents’ knowledge of microprocessors observably increased with the use of the ProgressiveLearning Platform as a tool for learning. Student-based qualitative data was collected throughwritten reflections, student focus groups, and video transcripts. Data included analyzing studentuse of language over time, focus group reports and content matter pre- and post quiz results. Linguistic analysis suggests change from dependence to independence in troubleshootingand problem-solving, comfort with PLP as demonstrated through progressively more effectiveuse of the term, and shift of responsibility of learning from instructors to student teamenvironments. Analysis of the data from student focus groups shows dramatic increase in studentreported engagement and motivation within the PLP classroom environment. Students attributedthis primarily to teaching style and methods and perceived authenticity of task and environmentcreated by the use of PLP. Pre- and post quiz results show significant gains in students’knowledge of computing fundamentals.