The Design of Course Materials and Visualization Systems for Modern Cryptography

该项目的目标是设计一套全面、灵活和模块化的现代密码学基础课程教材和教学工具，用于包括密码学组成部分的一门或多门专门课程。这项工作可以在广度优先的方法中使用，并允许教师深入教授选定的主题。学生熟悉最先进的密码学，获得基本知识和技能，并为自信地处理密码学应用做好准备。主要活动包括(1)开发基于网络的密码学教程，(2)实施软件工具和支持拟议课程材料的软件工具的用户指南，以及(3)设计一个环境，供学生进行为期一学期的编程项目并可视化密码学中的重要元素。课程材料和软件工具可在网上获得。这个项目有两个主要组成部分。第一种是一种平衡的方法，包括直观和全面的基于Web的教程、编程环境和可视化系统。教师可以采用广度优先的方法教授密码学，并深入讨论选定的主题，而学生则有一个编程环境，并使用可视化系统来了解每种算法的内部工作原理。第二个是使用分层方法和插件的可扩展系统。该系统可作为编程/演示平台和调试工具，供教师和学生实现自己的演示和可视化。该项目对教、学和练习密码学主题产生了广泛的影响，并有可能将传统的枯燥和正式的方法转变为交互式、动手和基于可视化的方法。

The objective of this project is to design a set of comprehensive, flexible and modularized course materials and pedagogical tools for basic modern cryptography to be used in a dedicated course or courses that include a cryptography component. This work can be used in a breadth-first approach and permits instructors to teach selected topics in-depth. Students get familiar with state-of-the-art cryptography, acquire basic knowledge and skills, and are well-prepared to approach cryptographic applications with confidence. Major activities include (1) developing a web-based tutorial on cryptography, (2) implementing software tools and user guides for the software tools that support the proposed course materials, and (3) designing an environment for students to perform semester-long programming projects and to visualize important elements in cryptography. The course materials and software tools are available on the web. This project has two major components. The first one is a well-balanced approach with an intuitive and comprehensive web-based tutorial, a programming environment and a visualization system. Instructors may teach cryptography with a breadth-first approach and discuss selected topics in-depth, and students have a programming environment and use the visualization system to learn the inner workings of each algorithm. The second one is an extendable system that uses a layered approach and plug-ins. The system can serve as a programming/demonstration platform and as a debugging tool for instructors and students to implement their own demonstrations and visualizations. The project has a broad impact on teaching, learning and practicing cryptographic topics, and has the potential to transform the traditional dry and formal methodology into an interactive, hands-on, and visualization-based approach.