Building Cloud-Based Experiential Blockchain Learning Modules for Cybersecurity Education

该项目旨在通过开发区块链学习模块来服务于国家利益，以改善计算机科学和非计算机科学专业学生的网络安全教育。网络安全威胁的显著增长证实了让本科生参与适应性动手学习教育的重要性。目前网络安全市场中高技能专业人员的数量与日益增长的网络安全威胁不相适应。此外，区块链技术作为网络安全市场的重要组成部分，预计将对公共和私营部门产生巨大影响。拓宽课程范围，为STEM本科生提供实践学习，将有助于满足对区块链技术专业人才的需求。该项目旨在实施创新的学习战略和资源，通过利用现有的NSF网络基础设施资源和动手实验室经验，加强区块链和网络安全教育。该项目的目标是改善与区块链技术相关的学生学习成果。建议的策略将包括几个活动：1)将开放式设计以及基于证据和知识生成的经验整合到实验室实验中，2)在灵活和可移植的实验室中实现团队合作，3)创建在线和面对面的学习社区，4)克服单一地点实验的孤立，使多领域互动成为可能。除了设计区块链和网络安全的新课程外，项目组还计划开发体验式在线学习模块，并将其整合到现有的几门课程中。开发的课程和学习模块有可能产生新的知识，了解如何通过区块链实验室轻松高效地将NSF资助的网络基础设施资源用于网络安全教育。该项目团队计划将开发的模块传播到教师发展研讨会和高中生STEM夏令营，以扩大对计算的参与。NSF IUSE：EHR计划支持研究和开发项目，以提高所有学生的STEM教育的有效性。通过其参与的学生学习跟踪，该计划支持有前途的实践和工具的创建、探索和实施。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

This project aims to serve the national interest by developing blockchain learning modules to improve cybersecurity education for both computer science and non-computer science students. The remarkable growth of cybersecurity threats affirms the importance of engaging undergraduate students in adaptive hands-on learning-based education. The current number of highly skilled professionals in the cybersecurity market does not align with the increasing growth of cybersecurity threats. In addition, blockchain technology, as a vital component of cybersecurity markets, is expected to have a massive impact on both the public and private sectors. Broadening curricula and providing hands-on learning practices for undergraduate STEM students will help address the need for well-prepared professionals in blockchain technology. The project intends to implement innovative learning strategies and resources to enhance blockchain and cybersecurity education by leveraging existing NSF cyberinfrastructure resources and hands-on lab experiences. The goal of the project is to improve student learning outcomes associated with blockchain technology. The proposed strategies will include several activities: 1) integrating open-ended design along with evidence-based and knowledge-generating experiences into lab experiments, 2) accomplishing teamwork in flexible and portable labs, 3) creating online and in-person learning communities, and 4) overcoming the isolation of single location experiments to make possible multi-domain interactions. In addition to designing a new course for blockchain and cybersecurity, the project team plans to develop and integrate experiential online learning modules into several existing courses. The developed courses and learning modules have the potential to generate new knowledge of how NSF-funded cyberinfrastructure resources can be easily and efficiently used in cybersecurity education through blockchain labs. The project team plans to disseminate the developed modules to faculty development workshops and STEM camps for high school students to broaden participation in computing. The NSF IUSE: EHR Program supports research and development projects to improve the effectiveness of STEM education for all students. Through its Engaged Student Learning track, the program supports the creation, exploration, and implementation of promising practices and tools.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.