Effectiveness of EdTech Security Professional Development for K–12 Teachers, Technology Facilitators, and School Administrators

• In Event: Friday Roundtable Session 4:55 pm
  In Roundtable Session: Empowering Educators (Table 34)

Abstract

To address the rise of cybersecurity threats in schools and the need for cybersecurity education, we designed and implemented a Cybersecurity Awareness-Ask-Action (AAA) professional development program for school administrators, technology support staff, and teachers. This study sought to identify the effectiveness of this professional development. Thirty five K-12 school personnel (n = 35) participated in the professional development in Summer 2023. Post-test scores after the edtech security professional development did not drastically increase though there was a significant difference between pre and post-test. However, participant attitudes were high after this professional development. This professional development benefits educators to recognize and act against potential cyber-attacks to ensure the cybersecurity and data privacy of their schools.

Authors

• Florence Martin, North Carolina State University

• Min Zhuang, North Carolina State University

• Julie A. Bacak, Temple University

• Weichao Wang, University of North Carolina - Charlotte

• Erik Jon Byker, University of North Carolina - Charlotte

• Lynn A. Ahlgrim-Delzell, University of North Carolina - Charlotte