Prototype of an educational game for teaching and learning in paged virtual memory

Abstract

This paper proposes a development of an educational game for the teaching-learning process of the paged virtual memory, in the field of operating systems. The aim of this tool is to offer solutions for some identified problems in the teaching of virtual memory, like the difficulty in the understanding of some theoretical concepts, techniques, addressing mechanisms, due to the complexity of the subject and the lack of tools to represent, visually and dynamically, virtual memory functions. Moreover, through the stimulating and challenging environment of games, we look forward to improve the motivation of the students to study this subject. The game is a 2D platform game (two-dimensions), where the character has the challenge, for example, of translating a virtual address space, bypassing obstacles to find the right door, identified by the real address. The tool was developed in HTML5 and JavaScript. Some practical experiments where done with students and professors of the Computer Science Course, at the State University of Piaui. They validated the tool, and they achieved the proposed goals.

Virtualization and visualization of virtual memory system for effective teaching–learning

“…Zareie and Najaf‐Zadeh created a Java‐based OSLab software that covers two core OS functions: memory management and CPU (central processing unit) scheduling. De Souza proposed the development of an educational game for teaching–learning process of paged virtual memory. Silvestro presented the design and evaluation of a novel project meant to facilitate the learning of memory management concepts and interactions between different components.…”