Teaching Microprocessors to Exceptional Students

Recognizing the industry demand for students who are knowledgeable about microprocessors on the one hand and student curiosity about the topic on the other, the author was caught between a saturated curriculum and a total lack of financial support. With a number of enthusiastic students and some privately owned equipment, a club was started to give students an opportunity to work with the available hardware and software. As the club solidified, a low key teaching/learning style developed which produced a highly knowledgeable student in computer hardware and programming languages with surprising programming skill. The club is an important part of the Department of Electrical Engineering now, where microcomputer-related topics are taught effortlessly to interested and motivated students without the performance/time pressure of the classroom.