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
[summers_wayne,bhagyavati,whitehead_christopher]@colstate.edu
http://csc.colstate.edu/online
Introduction
Different learning styles of students
Designing and delivering hands-on
activities to engage the kinesthetic learner
are particularly challenging in computer
science courses
 CHALLENGE - Provide students in
Computer Science courses the same handson experiences that are standard in courses
taught in a face-to-face environment


– "The more engaged the user is, the more likely
the learning experience is to be positive.“1
1
"Virtual Labs: E-Learning for Tomorrow," Camillan Huang, PLoS Biology, Vol 2, Iss 6, June 2004
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
Programming
Human-Computer
Fundamentals
Discrete Structures
Algorithms and
Complexity
Architecture and
Organization
Operating Systems
Net-Centric Computing
Programming Languages
Software Engineering
Interaction
Graphics and Visual
Computing
Intelligent Systems
Information Management
Social and Professional
Issues
Computer and Network
Security
http://csc.colstate.edu/online/
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 Security 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
Issues with Software or OS version
– Most students only have access to a Windows environment
– Different versions of Visual Studio are not directly compatible.
This is particularly important when using teams because the
different team members have to have the same version.
– Some of the applications won't work or are limited with
Windows XP Home edition



Security issues with software (e.g. SQL Server)
Unwise to allow students to use their personal computers
to experiment with security software
Software coordination problems with teams
Dr. Wayne Summers
Columbus State University
Solutions



Specify computer requirements at the start of
class and require students to acknowledge system
setup
Limit assignments to those that do not require
special technology (what about student with Win95?)
Use Simulations / Tutorials instead
– http://csc.colstate.edu/linton/6125.f2003/sockekts05.swf
– http://csc.colstate.edu/summers/NOTES/6128/vpn-client/default.html

Use Concurrent Versions System (CVS) /
Visual SourceSafe for programming
Dr. Wayne Summers
Columbus State University
Solutions


Use a liveCD Operating System (Knoppix)
Use virtual machines (VM) to emulate the
h’ware/s’ware of different computers in a network
– VirtualPC
(http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtualpc/default.mspx),
– VMWare (http://www.vmware.com/),
– Planetlab (http://www.planet-lab.org/),
– Emulab (http://www.emulab.net/)

Virtual network/security lab
– SAIL - Using a Virtual Lab to teach an online
Information Assurance Program
– 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
Dr. Wayne Summers
these agreements.Columbus State University
Other Issues
Collaborative Work – can be enhanced
since students don’t need to physically
meet
 Students can be enlisted to help answer
questions (via asynchronous discussions)
 Assessment of student work

– Can be automated
– May be difficult to upload/download

CHALLENGE: Verification of students
Dr. Wayne Summers
Columbus State University
Summary

Students need to be provided with hands-on
assignments
– Many of the problems and solutions are not much
different from face-to-face classes
– Where there are a unique problems in online and
blended classes, there are typically a variety of
solutions
– There are opportunities in an online environment that
can enhance hands-on opportunities
Dr. Wayne Summers
Columbus State University
Where to Get More Information
http://csc.colstate.edu/online
– http://csc.colstate.edu/summers/NOTES/6126/
– http://csc.colstate.edu/summers/NOTES/6128/
– http://csc.colstate.edu/summers/NOTES/6136/
summers_wayne@colstate.edu
Dr. Wayne Summers
Columbus State University