First, one more voice to the chorus saying: "do concrete examples". Hopefully everyone can see your screen, and they can watch while you solve some problem. And the best examples are ones that let them interact, so I'd teach I/O first thing so they can start thinking how the computer does something for them, like playing a simple game (eg. guess the number, dice game) by the end of the term.
I'd also make sure you have a great reference ready for them, so advanced students can read ahead while others review as much as they need. Maybe that goes without saying.
This may also go without saying, but since it hasn't been said: make sure you've got understandable examples of larger projects they can do by the end of class. Some way that they can get some real accomplishment.
Fun, concrete, easy-to-understand examples and games are surprisingly tough to prepare and explain, so prepare well!
Based on your answers, my gut reaction is not to do it. It will not double your career options (since your industry options will shrink), and if you want depth in HW design it would be just as effective to get a master's in CS or even EE. An MS can offer decent research opportunities, so maybe that's a good start for you.
I don't think ANYONE can say whether or not more doors will open because it depends on whether your motivations and interests (now and future) fit better with the kind of positions that require that skillset. In other words, I might recommend it if you want to do it to radically increase your depth and push yourself to grow and you want positions where you'll take on more responsibility and focus on more general issues (rather than a 40-hour work-week with more clear objectives).
I think you can have a great time with cutting-edge technology either way; I think it's more whether your personality and drive fits with that level of achievement.
And I'll reiterate what everyone says: it ain't easy or quick, even when you're very motivated to do it!
Good luck. (PS: I got one, went straight into industry, and got hired and paid well for having that degree.)
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First, one more voice to the chorus saying: "do concrete examples". Hopefully everyone can see your screen, and they can watch while you solve some problem. And the best examples are ones that let them interact, so I'd teach I/O first thing so they can start thinking how the computer does something for them, like playing a simple game (eg. guess the number, dice game) by the end of the term.
I'd also make sure you have a great reference ready for them, so advanced students can read ahead while others review as much as they need. Maybe that goes without saying.
This may also go without saying, but since it hasn't been said: make sure you've got understandable examples of larger projects they can do by the end of class. Some way that they can get some real accomplishment.
Fun, concrete, easy-to-understand examples and games are surprisingly tough to prepare and explain, so prepare well!
Based on your answers, my gut reaction is not to do it. It will not double your career options (since your industry options will shrink), and if you want depth in HW design it would be just as effective to get a master's in CS or even EE. An MS can offer decent research opportunities, so maybe that's a good start for you.
I don't think ANYONE can say whether or not more doors will open because it depends on whether your motivations and interests (now and future) fit better with the kind of positions that require that skillset. In other words, I might recommend it if you want to do it to radically increase your depth and push yourself to grow and you want positions where you'll take on more responsibility and focus on more general issues (rather than a 40-hour work-week with more clear objectives).
I think you can have a great time with cutting-edge technology either way; I think it's more whether your personality and drive fits with that level of achievement.
And I'll reiterate what everyone says: it ain't easy or quick, even when you're very motivated to do it!
Good luck. (PS: I got one, went straight into industry, and got hired and paid well for having that degree.)