Assembly language in A Level computer science
CP501 Live remote training course
During this session you'll explore what assembly language is and how to utilise the Little Man Computer platform.
Skip to course bookingDive 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, teachers account ahead of the course.
Topics 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 long is this course?
This course will last 2.5 hours, these sessions may be split across multiple days.
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.
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.
This course is part of Teach secondary computing
Teach secondary computing
Our nationally recognised qualification will give you confidence to take your computing teaching to the next level and to apply those skills in the classroom.
A level Computer Science subject knowledge
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