INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The assistance of computers in teaching and learning at all levels of the

educational system is now commonplace in both large and small computer

organizations. Computer architecture or digital computer organization is the

conceptual design and fundamental operational structure of a computer system.

It's a blueprint and functional description of requirements and design

implementations for the various parts of a computer focusing largely on the way

by which the central processing unit (CPU) performs internally and accesses

addresses in memory. It is the science and art of selecting and interconnecting

hardware components to create computers that meet functional performance and

cost goals. Building a system that will tutor an individual at his or her own pace in

today’s world cannot be over emphasized. Tutoring systems are used to boost the

field of computer science by illustrating an activity in the field of education using

specific examples in teaching Computer Architecture. The proposed system will

serve as an e-learning tool for individuals interested in learning about Computer

Architecture.

1.2 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The proposed project is aimed at designing a computerized tutoring system for

Computer Architecture. The project among other things will achieve the

following:

1. Develop a computerised tutoring system.

2. Provide a more intuitive teaching and learning environment.

3. Developing a self-paced system for the user

4. Develop a system that is not prone to human deficiencies such as tiredness

and sickness on the part of the teacher.

1.3 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The study covers the design and implementation of a Computerized Computer

Architecture Tutoring system.

1.4 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The following are some of the problems of the existing system:

i. Lack of skilled teachers in the field of Computer Architecture.

ii. Current system is vulnerable to human errors.

iii. Lack of up to date materials on the subject matter.

1.5 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

This project is limited to Computer Architecture and covers only the following

topics:

i. The Little Man Computer

ii. The CPU and Memory

iii. Input/Output

1.6 DEFINITION OF TERMS

To simplify the understanding of project wherever the following words or phrases

occur their meanings are as described below:

1. TUTOR: A teacher someone or something that teaches.

2. COMPUTER TUTOR: Tutorial software a computer program designed

for the purpose of teaching.

3. SOFTWARE: A written and run-able computer program that is tested

and found error free.

4. CCAT: Computerized Computer Architecture Tutor

5. CAL: Computer Aided Learning.

6. CAI: Computer Aided Instruction

7. BIT: Binary digit

8. BYTE: a unit of information built from bits the smallest units of

information used in computers

9. CACHE: an area of memory that holds frequently accessed data or

program instructions for the purpose of speeding a computer system's

performance.

10. CPU: Central Processing Unit

11. RAM: Random Access Memory

12. MOTHERBOARD: the main circuit board in a computer.

13. IBM: International Business Machines.

14. LMC: Little Man Computer.