This collaborative project from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Southern Polytechnic State University, and Tuskegee University develops a sequence of two cryptography courses. The first course adopts intensive labs and focuses on understanding the properties and vulnerabilities of various cryptography techniques. The second course challenges students with real-world cases in emerging areas in a collaborative environment. The project develops five teaching modules based on labs and case studies and conducts a detailed assessment of the proposed hands-on learning materials, case studies, and modules. The PIs organize three summer mini-workshops to train faculty members from the three campuses and other universities nationwide on how to use the new courses.
The project proposes novel pedagogies for undergraduate Cryptography and the hands-on exercises tied with cryptography topics teach students cryptographic algorithms and their vulnerabilities. The designed case studies bridge the gap between cryptographic theory and real-world cryptographic applications in emerging areas. The modules can be used in several courses such as network security or security management.
The project facilitates faculty collaboration and development at three institutions in three states Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama. It broadens participations of minority students in Information Assurance due to the leadership of Tuskegee University, an experienced institution in minority education. Dissemination of the generated teaching materials is supported by summer mini-workshops, a dedicated website developed and maintained by the PIs, conference presentations, and journal publications.
Cryptography is fundamental for computing security but it is difficulty to learn due to its math-intensive nature. This project has developed a number of hands-on exercises for students to practice in a computer lab. It turned out that the "learning by doing" approach is quite effective. This project contributed to cryptography courseware development and IA (Information Assurance) education in terms of hands-on exercises, case study method and application, and IA education pedagogy. Our collaborating colleagues at UT Chattanooga and Tuskegee University have shown this hands-on approach effective in their advanced level of IA curricula. The project at Southern Illinois University showed that this hands-on approach is effective for introductory courses in IA-related courses as well. This project also disseminated outcomes of the research and development through a summer faculty workshop held on July 25-26, 2014 at Southern Illinois University. Fifteen faculty members and three graduate students from thirteen different institutions attended this workshop. Hands-on learning and teaching were reported at the workshop. Hands-on lab exercises were offered to participants during the workshop. The feedback of the workshop was very positive. Participants recognized that hands-on learning/teaching to be a highly effective pedagogical method to engage students and to enforce mathematical and theoretical aspects of course content and learning outcomes. Most textbooks in cryptography for undergraduate students tend to focus primarily on the mathematical and algorithm aspects of cryptography. This project has provided an alternative and effective approach to improving teaching and learning effectiveness with well-designed and hands-on materials. The summer workshop provided a venue for IA instructors to work together and discuss better ways to teach cryptography and cyber security courses.
