Increasing Student Involvement with Hands-on Activities in Online Computer Science Classes Dr. Wayne Summers, Dr. Bhagyavati, Prof. Chris Whitehead Columbus State University Columbus, GA

Dr. Wayne Summers Columbus State University Introduction Different learning styles of students Designing and delivering hands-on activities to engage the kinesthetic learner are particularly challenging in computer science courses Provide students in Computer Science courses the same hands-on experiences that are standard in courses taught in a face-to-face environment

Dr. Wayne Summers Columbus State University Agenda –Computer science assignments using students’ computers –Computer science assignments developed for the virtual lab –Problems encountered with both types of assignments –Solutions and workaround for the problems –Repository of hands-on assignments for use in online and blended classes

Dr. Wayne Summers Columbus State University Computer Science Body of Knowledge Discrete Structures Programming Fundamentals Algorithms and Complexity Architecture and Organization Operating Systems Net-Centric Computing Programming Languages Human-Computer Interaction Graphics and Visual Computing Intelligent Systems Information Management Social and Professional Issues Software Engineering Computer and Network Security Computer and Network Security

Dr. Wayne Summers Columbus State University Security Lab Assignments using student computers Elementary Cryptography –Uses spreadsheets to replicate cryptography Program Security –Requires downloading software Computer Forensics –Requires downloading software and data Security Policy Review –Requires inspecting website and collaboration with classmates CyberProtect (Network Management) –Requires downloading software or mailing a CD

Dr. Wayne Summers Columbus State University Security Lab Assignments using virtual lab Firewall Policy –Uses software that would require reconfiguring student’s computer Network Security - Intrusion Detection –Uses software that students should not be running over the Internet

Dr. Wayne Summers Columbus State University Problems Assignments have to be designed so as not to be limited by the students’ computing resources. Students typically have access to only one computer and one operating system which limits the flexibility in the assignments Unwise to allow students to use their personal computers to experiment with security software Technical problems in the virtual lab

Dr. Wayne Summers Columbus State University Computer Security Class Student Agreement I understand that I am taking a class that will teach me computer access techniques that can be used to break in to, damage or otherwise alter ("hack") computer systems. I also understand that it is the purpose of the class that this knowledge be used to protect information resources and not to compromise or destroy them or otherwise break any laws or disrupt educational, commercial or other activities. Any access to a system without the administrator/owners permission is illegal. The following actions are clearly not ethical: –Breaking into a computer system without the permission of the owner or administrator of that computer system. –Doing anything that substantially interferes with other user's access to computer-based services (i. e., denial of service attacks). –Accessing computer-based information without appropriate authorization. –Accessing any computer-based service without appropriate authorization. –Unauthorized monitoring of electronic communication. I agree that I will not damage, disrupt or access any computer systems or other students work during this class. I also understand that I will be expected to work with other students to test security, but I agree that it will always be done with their knowledge. I addition I will not destroy or damage their work and will let them know what I have accessed on their system. I will cease accessing their system when asked. I understand that if I can not accept these terms, I can drop the class with no academic penalty. Once accepted, their violation entitles the class administrator to administer disciplinary consequences if I fail to abide by these agreements.

Dr. Wayne Summers Columbus State University Solutions Limit assignments to those that do not require special technology Use virtual machines (VM) to emulate the hardware of different computers in a network –VMWare ( –Planetlab ( –Emulab ( Virtual network/security lab –SAIL - Using a Virtual Lab to teach an online Information Assurance ProgramUsing a Virtual Lab to teach an online Information Assurance Program

Dr. Wayne Summers Columbus State University Summary Students in online and blended courses can be provided with hands-on assignments There are a variety of solutions

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