Teaching Cyber-Education through Simulation and Games
by Timothy King
This paper outlines the nature of a digital media literacy crisis we find ourselves decades into. It contextualizes the challenges cybersecurity education faces in terms of the many digital mediums that it operates in and will reveal two examples of effective, practical cybersecurity education explored in an action research context, much of it happening through school libraries who remain a key to resolving the digital skills crisis.
Terminology and Definitions
Digital Media Literacy (Media Smarts, n.d.): Digital media literacy is the ability to access, analyze, evaluate, create, and engage with digital media critically and effectively, building on traditional media literacy while incorporating new concepts specific to digital technologies, with the goal of empowering individuals to navigate and participate responsibly in the digital world.
Digital Divide (NDIA, 2024): the gap between those who have affordable access to technology, skills, and support to effectively engage online and those who do not.
Cybersecurity & Cyber Attacks (Cisco, 2024): cybersecurity is the practice of protecting systems, networks, and programs from digital attacks. Cyberattacks are usually aimed at accessing, changing, or destroying sensitive information; extorting money from users via ransomware; or interrupting normal business processes through networked digital systems.
Cybersecurity Education (Canadian Center for Cyber Security, 2024): a multifaceted approach to building knowledge and skills in cyber defense for individual online safety, protection of national discourse and security of critical infrastructure. User error from digital illiteracy is the cause of a vast majority of successful cyber-attacks and education is essential in prevention.
Canadian Cyber Network speaker bio: Timothy King CNN Speaker Bio Information.docx
One of the things being in a district level role I miss is doing long-form engagement with my students on a topic. This paper has gotten me thinking about what I could do around my district with CyberTitan and build skills out. It would definitely be interesting to explore. If you're willing to go to Newfoundland would you be willing to come to Northern British Columbia? I can see about getting multiple districts on board.
ReplyDeleteCybersecurity is a much needed topic for both students and educators and not enough educators understand the basics or rely on outdated thoughts on what 'security' means thinking that hackers have to be local or at their computer, when the reality (as seen last week with PowerSchool) is completely different.