Kennesaw State professors develop virtual reality games to teach children cybersecurity basics
KENNESAW, Ga.
(Oct 1, 2021) — In order to teach school-age children the basics of cybersecurity, two Kennesaw State
University professors are collaborating on a method to deliver lessons where K-12
students spend most of their time: playing video games.
Launched by Joy Li, assistant professor of computer game design and development, and Yan Huang, assistant professor of software engineering, the project is pegged as an alternative to traditional learning activities by teaching
students the principles of cybersecurity in a immersive virtual reality (VR) environment.
The program works by introducing students to 360-degree instructional videos and then
testing their knowledge in a game setting using a VR headset.
“Our aim is to take concepts that are otherwise very complex for students and put
them in a format that is much simpler for them to understand,” said Huang, who teaches
in Kennesaw State’s College of Computing and Software Engineering. “This delivery method also allows us to continue refining our lesson plans to ensure
they are accessible to students regardless of background and are effective in teaching
them about cybersecurity.”
Inside the VR headset users are transported to “Cybersecurity Park,” where they will
have access to six education modules covering topics that range from ransomware to
hacking ethics to phishing attempts. Each module has a unique theme and game associated
with its lesson. In the phishing module, which mimics the recreational act of fishing
with a rod and reel, students are scored on their ability to recognize phishing messages,
such as those asking them to divulge personal information. In the ransomware module,
students must defend a medieval castle from threats that are disguised as armored
knights.
“Cybersecurity is not yet an official part of school curriculums, yet we are living
in an increasingly digital world,” Li said. “This presented us a wonderful opportunity
to make an impact on education by using games, which has become one of the most efficient
ways to grab their attention. On a secondary level, we hope that this kind of exposure
will encourage kids to pursue careers in cybersecurity.”
Beyond the educational objectives, Li said the project presented a unique opportunity
for two professors to lend their expertise on an interdisciplinary effort. While she
has extensive experience in developing educational games having previously collaborated
on an educational project with a Georgia-based medical college, Huang’s research interests lie mostly in cybersecurity innovations.
Currently, four of the six modules are ready to play while KSU undergraduate and graduate
students completing the remaining modules. Once complete, the project will be published
online free of charge, allowing K-12 teachers and students to access the training
modules worldwide.
– Travis Highfield
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A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its more than 41,000 students. With 11 colleges on two metro Atlanta campuses, Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia and the second-largest university in the state. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the region and from 126 countries across the globe. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 6 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.
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