Moving from traditional computer engineering learning with toys, virtual machines, embedded systems and ubiquitous computing

Microcontrollers offer very attractive issues to study computer organization or computer architecture concepts, especially in developing countries: low cost, a lot of information available, a complete computer system in a chip, built in functions that make it easier to build hands on projects with programmable devices. Even more, they offer a chance to understand applications of ubiquitous computing paradigm. This paper presents a brief look at the successful process of introducing microcontrollers using a toy car project (overhauling it) in a computer architecture undergraduate computer science course. Description of hardware and software and some interesting and valuable experiences are commented.