Fearghal Morgan
et al, “RISC-V Online Tutor”, 18th International Conference on Remote
Engineering and Virtual Instrumentation, REV2021 (accepted),
Feb 24th-26th 2021
Abstract: This paper presents the RISC-V Online Tutor course
which provides structured, self-paced RISC-V architecture and applications
training. The course browser transparently interacts with remote RISC-V
hardware, implemented on an FPGA array. The course is implemented and supported
by the reported vicilogic platform which provides online learning, remote FPGA
prototyping and course builder. Lessons control remote hardware input signals,
probe all RISC-V processor signals and overlay signal widgets on interactive
course diagrams. The strategy provides a visually-rich, interactive learn-by-doing
experience. The paper presents the course structure, and examples of the interactive
lesson pedagogy. User experience, opinion and analytics are presented for a
group of 45 users. Results indicate a high level of user satisfaction, and
effective independent learning and achievement. Course availability is timely,
with the growing interest in the RISC-V open-source Instruction Set
Architecture, the call for training materials by the RISC-V Foundation, and the
increasing demand for practical online learning systems, particularly during the
Covid-19 pandemic.