Evaluating hardware platforms for computer systems education

This thesis describes the process of evaluating and selecting educational hardware platforms for a university-level course in computer systems and embedded programming. It stems from a need to update the existing device and corresponding software to a newer version with better documentation, easier to use development environment and overall better user experience. These factors contribute heavily to a better learning experience for the students, and a smaller workload for the course staff when teaching the course.

The methods of finding the new hardware platforms are presented along with the alternatives found as a result of implementing them. By comparing the different candidates using parameters such as price, functionality, and the usability of the development environment, this thesis provides a proposal on the best alternatives of the found options. The selected devices, Raspberry Pi Pico W and nRF52 DK are put through a more careful evaluation, and can eventually be used as a starting point in updating the existing course contents to correspond to the new learning platform.

Once the new platform is fully implemented, it is expected to reduce the guidance needed by the students in terms of technical problems. This allows for more time spent learning the course contents and consequently, better understanding of the subject. Reduced technical problems and better documentation also promote self-learning and independent problem-solving of the students attending the course. The selected platform is also expected to be more versatile in terms of possible exercises and projects that it can be used for.