Development of modular virtual lab for introductory computing courses

Abstract

This paper describes the ongoing process of developing a virtual lab for different introductory computing courses based on the ACM-IEEE Computer Science Curricula. The laboratory is designed as a 3D virtual collaborative system with carefully developed instructional sequences covering different, often overlapping teaching subjects. The central object to every lab is a composite model of PC whose basic components are suitable for teaching computer architecture, programming, and operating systems courses. The same PC model is also used in conjunction with other composite 3D models of hardware for networking and net-centered courses. The 3D computing lab that we develop offers two advantages. First, composite component model it applies helps students gain a complete understanding of computing technology through interleaving problems viewed from different perspectives. Second, by following students' activities and progress, instructors can easily identify the most difficult teaching concepts and modify their syllabi accordingly.