Assembly language in A Level computer science CP511

During this session you'll explore what assembly language is and how to utilise the Little Man Computer platform.

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Summary

Dive into the world of assembly language; this CPD will develop both your theoretical knowledge and practical skills in relation to the use of this fundamental, low-level mode of programming for A Level computer science. During this two-hour course, you’ll learn the essentials of assembly language including using the Little Man Computer simulator.

You’ll collaboratively appraise the pedagogical approaches to teaching assembly language, as well as exploring how assembly language is situated amongst the wider A level Computer Science curriculum, you’ll emerge from the course well equipped to design engaging assembly language activities that are effectively interleaved into your curriculum.

Who is it for?

This course is aimed at teachers delivering A Level computer science. It is advised you have some basic knowledge of the different types of programming languages available i.e. machine, assembly and high-level programming languages. 

During this course you’ll access the Isaac Computer Science platform, it is advised you sign up for a free, teacher's account ahead of the course.

What topics are covered?

• Assembly Language – during this session you’ll learn about the relationship between machine code, assembly language and high-level languages. You’ll compare and contrast programming paradigms and make links between assembly language and other topic areas within the A level computer science curriculum
• Little Man Computer – during this session you’ll learn how to trace, construct, and execute simple assembly code programs in the Little Man Computer simulator. You’ll appraise a number of pedagogical approaches to teaching programming using the Little Man Computer. 

 

How will you learn?

Scheduled live, interactive online sessions led by an experienced practitioner. Flexible Professional Development Leader-supported, participant-led tasks, involving deep exploration of the subject content.

How long is this course?

This course will last 2.5 hours, these sessions maybe split across multiple days.

Outcomes

By the end of this intensive CPD pathway you will be able to:

• Identify the features of assembly language, comparing and contrasting these characteristics to that of other programming paradigms
• Successfully recognise opportunities to create links between assembly language and other topics, feeding this into curriculum design and delivery
• Trace the flow of execution of assembly language programs in the Little Man Computer, understanding how the contents of registers change and how this relates to the fetch-decode-execute cycle
• Create assembly language programs in the Little Man Computer that utilise sequence, arithmetic operations, variables and branching