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Update to VPL for Java on EECS at YorkU

Update to VPL for Java on EECS at YorkU

The VPL server in the YorkU EECS department was recently updated (2022/23). This had a small impact on existing VPL scripts. With Java, any script that uses JUnit needs to have its vpl_run.sh and vpl_evaluate.sh scripts updated. Here, I have the run script do the JUnit test directly. The evaluate script does JUnit through the […]

Ad-hoc unit testing on simAVR and VPL

Ad-hoc unit testing on simAVR and VPL

In the previous post I showed you how to use VPL and simAVR together to write a basic activity that would test to see if a student could change or assign the value of a register in the simulated microcontroller using the C programming language. While it was the most straight-forward way that I could […]

Simulated Microcontrollers in VPL Exercises

Simulated Microcontrollers in VPL Exercises

In Computer Architecture classes or Embedded Systems classes, it can be really useful to allow for students to be graded on assignments that allow them to interactively explore the inner workings of a microprocessor. One way is to have the students create programs in a hardware description language like Verilog or VHDL. Another way is […]

VPL: Circuit Simulation Assignments with SPICE

VPL: Circuit Simulation Assignments with SPICE

Introduction In YorkU's EECS Department, we have access to NGSPICE on our department's Linux machines (via RemoteLab). NGSPICE is yet another variation on the venerable SPICE circuit simulator. Our the University's Moodle system, eClass, we have access to Virtual Programming Lab, a framework for making interactive exercises for students. It is typically used with programming […]

Simulating Micros from Command Line

Simulating Micros from Command Line

Introduction Microchip's MPLAB X permits simulation from the command line.  This is interesting from the perspective of teaching if we have automatically-graded programming assignments that take the student's program and runs it against a simulated chip in an LMS like Moodle. Background I'm interested in how we can use the MDB in MPLAB X to […]

Completion Tracking Reports on eClass

Completion Tracking Reports on eClass

I enabled "completion tracking" on my eClass (Moodle) class pages.  It's a great way for students to see how much work they have completed and how much work still needs to be done.  Instructors can also use it to see how students are doing and to send messages as appropriate.  I describe the "how-to" for […]

Competencies and Outcomes in Moodle (eClass)

Competencies and Outcomes in Moodle (eClass)

Introduction I've been looking for ways to tie in course learning outcomes to a course on eClass (Moodle).  While the Outcomes framework on eClass is an appealing candidate for this, it seems to require manual grading and interventions to work.  After suggestions from Profs Mojgan Jadidi and Melanie Baljko who had previously used it, I've […]

eClass messaging

eClass messaging

Most profs have overflowing email inboxes, making it hard to keep track of student emails.  Two ways that I've heard of dealing with this effectively is to (a) create a class specific email address and (b) have students use the messaging system within the LMS. While messaging will work by default, you may wish to […]