Exploration of a Collaborative Virtual Computer Laboratory (CVCLAB) to Enhance Distance Learning in Information Security

宾夕法尼亚州立大学系统的五个校区合作探索一个专门为网络安全教育设计的虚拟计算机实验室（VCL）。该项目的总体目标是通过使用VCL加强信息安全教育，特别关注远程学习，并研究这种方法的有效性。该项目的主要动机是调查是否可以在网络安全等需要大量实践学习和团队合作的领域实现高质量的远程学习。该项目提出了在多个院校共享虚拟计算机实验室的创新方法，以加强学生在不同环境下的学习。主要的研究假设是：(a)协作学习在VCL的支持下可以在更高程度上改善学生的学习；(b)如果实施适当的干预措施，远程学习的学生可以从VCL中介的协作实践学习中受益。评估结果的方法是：(i)衡量学生的兴趣和积极性；（ii）评估协作式实践学习对远程学习学生的影响；（iii）记录由于采用协作虚拟计算机实验室（CVCLAB），参与院校增加的实践学习。CVCLAB正在被广泛的机构共享和测试。本文提出的资源共享伙伴关系模式适用于资金和技术资源有限的小型校园和社区学院。基于vcl的协同远程学习的规范化研究结果具有提高网络安全远程学习质量的潜力。

Five campuses of the Pennsylvania State University system partner to explore a Virtual Computer Laboratory (VCL) that has been specifically designed for cybersecurity education. The overall goal of the project is to enhance information security education by using VCL, with a particular focus on distance learning, and to research the effectiveness of this approach.The main motivation of the project is to investigate whether quality distance learning can be achieved in a field such as cybersecurity which requires a significant amount of hands-on learning and teamwork. The project proposes innovative ways to share a virtual computer laboratory across multiple institutions to enhance student learning in different settings. The main research hypotheses are: (a) student learning can be improved at a higher degree when collaborative learning is supported by a VCL and (b) if proper interventions are implemented, distance learning students can benefit from collaborative hands-on learning mediated by a VCL. The outcomes will be assessed by: (i) measuring increased student interest and motivation; (ii) evaluating the impact of collaborative hands-on learning on distance learning students; and (iii) documenting increased hands-on learning at the participating institutions, due to the adoption of the Collaborative Virtual Computer Laboratory (CVCLAB). CVCLAB is being shared and tested by a broad range of institutions. The proposed resource-sharing partnership model is transferable to smaller campuses and community colleges with limited financial and technology resources. The outcomes of the formulated research on collaborative distance learning using VCLs have the potential to improve the quality of distance learning in cybersecurity.