Assisting K-12 Teachers to Make the Connection between Computational Thinking in Cybersecurity Unplugged Activities and Mathematical Mindset through A Cybersecurity Micro-credential

Virtual Brief Paper (Asynchronous) ID: 58632
  1. aaa
    Andrea Burrows
    University of Wyoming
  2. aaa
    Mike Borowczak
    University of Wyoming
  3. aaa
    Bekir Mugayitoglu
    University of Wyoming
  4. Caitlin Kennedy
    University of Wyoming
  5. aaa
    Amanda Carson
    University of Wyoming
  6. aaa
    Caitlin Person
    University of Wyoming
  7. Alexander Finch
    University of Wyoming

Abstract: This poster focuses on K-12 STEM teachers' computational thinking while using unplugged cybersecurity activities and exploring cybersecurity applications within self-paced micro-credentials. As a result, they share the most successful and challenging unplugged cybersecurity activities. The pilot micro-credentials were created to assess their effectiveness at enabling K-12 teachers to meaningfully their own materials to develop students’ STEM readiness and increase their engagement with cybersecurity, while enabling unplugged activities to transfer to a more mathematical mindset. The two pilot studies, focusing on K-12 teacher participants, included an initial micro-credential in the 2020 summer (n=5) which informed and enhanced a second micro-credential module sequence in the fall 2020 semester (n=16). Pilot 2 consisted of a total of five modules after refining it from feedback from pilot 1, which had only 2 modules. Researchers performed a mixed-methods study, which included qualitative data collected through interviews and focus groups. Additionally, content knowledge questions and attitude surveys were also used to collect both qualitative and quantitative data. Results indicate that the majority of K-12 teachers who participated in the micro-credential pilots were able to make connections between unplugged activities and a mathematical mindset. The poster presents these findings and also includes additional resources for further exploration and inspiration.

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