Using a Comic Book to Engage Students in a Cryptology and Cybersecurity Curriculum

• In Event: Simulations and Game-Based Learning

Abstract

Women and minority groups are underrepresented in the field of cybersecurity. Seen as a pipeline issue, cultivating STEM interest using educational efforts aimed at these groups may help with engagement and retention in STEM fields. We developed a cryptology and cybersecurity curriculum designed for grades 3-5 and targeted towards girls and minority groups. The design of the curriculum draws on engagement theory and anchored instruction to contextualize STEM content within a comic book, with the intent of encouraging and sustaining engagement. This study explores student perceptions of using the comic book over two iterative pilots. Analysis of the qualitative data revealed that students saw the comic book as a “macrocontext” for the whole curriculum, but many required reading support.

Authors

• Christine Wusylko, University of Florida

• Zhen Xu, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill

• Kara M. Dawson, University of Florida

• Pasha Antonenko, University of Florida

• Do Hyong Koh, University of Florida

• Minyoung Lee, University of Florida

• Amber E. Benedict, Arizona State University

• Swarup Bhunia, University of Florida