Creating a Hands-On Robot Environment for Teaching Assembly LanguageProgramming

1 James Wolfer, Associate Professor of Computer Sciences, Indiana University South Bend, Department of Computer and Information Sciences, 1700 Mishawaka Ave., South Bend, IN 46615 USA, [email protected] 2 Haroun R. A. Rababaah, Adjunct Lecturer in Computer Science, Indiana University South Bend, Department of Computer and Information Sciences, 1700 Mishawaka Ave., South Bend, IN 46615 USA, [email protected] Abstract --Real-world computer applications and assembly language programming are often taught with abstract exercises. To provide hands-on, real-world experience early, we introduce robots into our assembly language class. This paper describes the creation of a bridge from assembly language to a publicly available simulator, programming exercises, and a reconfigurable maze environment compatible with the simulator. This, with other open-source software, provides a complete development environment at no cost to the student.