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合作伙伴的五个校区探索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利用VCL加强信息安全教育，特别是远程学习，并研究这种方法的有效性。该项目的主要动机是调查在网络安全等需要大量动手学习和团队合作的领域是否能够实现高质量的远程学习。该项目提出了在多个机构之间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中的学习。主要的研究假设是：(A)当合作学习得到VCL的支持时，学生的学习可以得到更高程度的改善；(B)如果采取适当的干预措施，远程学习的学生可以受益于VCL所促成的合作动手学习。评估结果将通过：(I)衡量学生的兴趣和积极性增加；(Ii)评估合作动手学习对远程学习学生的影响；(Iii)记录参与机构由于采用合作虚拟计算机实验室(CVCLAB)而增加的动手学习。CVCLAB正在被广泛的机构共享和测试。拟议的资源共享伙伴关系模式可以转移到财力和技术资源有限的较小校园和社区大学。基于VCLS的远程协作学习的研究成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.