This paper describes multimedia content and laboratory enhancements for courses in digital systems and computer architecture at Queen's University. The laboratory enhancements for the computer architecture course reflect new equipment with field-programmable logic chip technology for continuity from the preceding digital systems course. New laboratory exercises on pro- cessor implementation rely on the multimedia content and reinforce the technical link to the preceding logic course. Student usage of multimedia content in the two courses was monitored with a learning management system, re- vealing averages of almost 10 accesses per student in the digital systems course and over 15 accesses per student in the computer architecture course. Some students made no accesses, but others made 20 to 30 accesses. Finally, re- sults from surveys conducted in the courses to obtain feedback from students indicate that the majority of re- spondents obtained a learning benefit from the content.
MULTIMEDIA CONTENT AND LABORATORY ENHANCEMENTS FOR COURSES IN DIGITAL SYSTEMS AND COMPUTER ARCHITECTURE