Computer-aided instruction for VLSI design using the NeXT workstation

An interactive computer-aided instruction (CAI) environment for teaching the Mead and Conway approach (C. Mead, C. Conway, 1980) to VLSI design is presented. The NeXT workstation is used as the CAI platform due to its ease in integrating text, graphics, images, and sound to provide an interactive environment The resulting system is a Hypercard-like video/audio system which teaches the fundamentals of VLSI design. The student interacts with the NeXT machine on a self-paced regiment. Problem areas are prompted with the option of going into more detail. The NeXT CAI VLSI system is demonstrated and future research directions are discussed.<
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