Active Learning in the Security Classroom

Information assurance is a critical topic in undergraduate education and has received a lot of attention in recent literature. At the United States Air Force Academy we have taught multiple security courses for several years and have tried different approaches to make the material interesting and meaningful to the students. One approach that has proven effective is the application of active learning techniques. We have developed interactive visualization tools for in-class use, designed hands-on laboratories, created an inter-school assessment competition, and employed active learning activities in the classroom. All of these techniques are designed to engage the student in the learning process; to develop a deeper understanding of security concepts; and to act as a motivational tool. This paper will describe the different tools and techniques used and how they fit into an active learning approach. We will present our experience with using the tools, their effectiveness, and student reactions. Finally, we will describe our future plans for the security courses.