Visible simplified microcontroller model for teaching and learning

Microcontroller architecture is a complex topic to teach as the pieces of a microcontroller are presented as "equations" or logic blocks and there is no easy way to illustrate how these blocks work together.A common missing piece to illustrate microcontroller inner workings is a means to demonstrate the data transfer between logic blocks.This is often shown as a list of instructions, but how are the instructions synchronized with the data in memory?What about the microcontroller core itself?How does this block know when to update?This problem was addressed by building a complete, physical working model simplified by minimizing the number of bits used and operating at very slow speeds.The result was an attractive "art" display that seemed to be doing something.What was it doing?Students would sit and stare-then ask other students.Those that had taken some digital classes recognized pieces of this artistic puzzle.This display is used in conjunction with higher level classes to answer those questions, which can then be shared again during conversation with other students.