www.tjprc.org editor@tjprc.org International Journal of Electronics, Communication & Instrumentation Engineering Research and Development (IJECIERD) ISSN(P): 2249-684X; ISSN(E): 2249-7951 Vol. 4, Issue 3, Jun 2014, 9-14 © TJPRC Pvt. Ltd. DESIGNING LEARNING MEDIA OF CONTROL BASED ON MICRO CONTROLLER 8051 BY USING THE MCU 8051 IDE TO SUPPORT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ACTIVE LEARNING IN HIGHER EDUCATION-ALFHE (ACTIVE LEARNING FOR HIGHER EDUCATION) DAHLAN R P SITOMPUL 1 & POLTAK SIHOMBING 2 1 Lecturer, University of North Sumatera (USU), Fakultas Ilmu Komputer Dan Teknologi Informasi,Program Studi S-1 Ilmu Komputer & ATI Immanuel Medan, Medan, Indonesia 2 Head of Department, University of North Sumatera (USU), Fakultas Ilmu Komputer Dan Teknologi Informasi Program Studi S-1 Ilmu Komputer, Indonesia ABSTRACT On this occasion, the author discusses the development of instructional media of microcontroller 8051-based control teaching using a simulator called MCU 8051 IDE on Windows 7 (MCU 8051 IDE runs on various operating systems) to support the implementation of active learning in higher education. The developed Learning Media is in the form of simulation control program (in assembly language). This simulator can be downloaded for free at sourceforge.net site [3] . According to the writer's observation the developed simulation program has been stable and successful in increasing the participation and engagement of the students in the learning process, allowing the teacher to apply their teaching strategies and successfully overcome the lack of funds to meet the need for equipments in supporting active learning [6] . The simulation program has also been successful in reducing errors in developing or manufacturing the real equipment (reducing costs). KEYWORDS: Control Based on Micro Controller 8051, MCU 8051, Windows 7 (MCU 8051 IDE INTRODUCATION Preface Based on the author's experience in teaching at college, the authors see the need for a changing in teaching methodologies (Instructional Strategy of teaching) in order to increase the success rate of teaching and learning; transforming conventional learning methodologies (teacher as central or learning resources) to the active teaching methodologies or Active Learning Methodology ( students as a learning center). The application of active learning strategy has demonstrated significant efficacies compared to conventional learning [1] [2] . Active learning strategy has been shown to increase the participation and student engagement (reduction in stress level of the students and teachers) in the classroom and increasing students' learning desire and finally produce more innovative students; students are given more freedom to try new things by using innovative and interactive teaching media. They use the simulator before starting developing or manufacturing real equipment; the implication is the decrease of the production costs. One of the strategies in the application of active learning is the use of instructional media