SIMCAN: A simulator to improve the learning of distributed and high-performance computing systems in engineering degrees

Distributed systems programming (DSP) is an important subject in the Computer Engineering undergraduate degree. The use of a version of the SIMCAM simulator adapted to the educational context enabled our DSP students to exercise important facets of DSP that are otherwise difficult or impossible to incorporate in student activities. Analyzing and quantifying the assumed benefits of this educational intervention on student learning enables us to better adapt such interventions to student needs. To investigate the impact on student learning of this novel use of a simulator we analyze both the course-assessment results and the constructors of the technology acceptance model, the latter via an initial survey of student perceptions carried out at the beginning of the course and another carried out after completing the simulator-based assignment. We observe, in particular, an improvement in the overall grades between the target year and those of the year previous to the simulator introduction. Moreover, other statistical findings are also of interest.