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Game-Based Immersive Learning for Education: Empowering Autistic High School Students to Address the Growing Cyber Threats in K-12 Schools

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Conference

2024 South East Section Meeting

Location

Marietta, Georgia

Publication Date

March 10, 2024

Start Date

March 10, 2024

End Date

March 12, 2024

Tagged Topic

Diversity

Page Count

12

DOI

10.18260/1-2--45531

Permanent URL

https://peer.asee.org/45531

Download Count

12

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Paper Authors

biography

Karen N Nix Auburn University

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Karen Nix is a PhD student at Auburn University, Samuel Ginn College of Engineering. She received a bachelor's degree in Computer Science from LaGrange College
and a master's degree in Computer Science with a concentration of Software Development from Columbus State University. She works as a Graduate Teaching Assistant at Auburn University and recently began work for the City of Opelika, AL in the IT department as Assistant CIO. Her research interests include digital learning, UI/UX, web development, cybersecurity, web accessibility.

knn0010@auburn.edu

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biography

Cheryl Seals Auburn University

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Dr. Cheryl Denise Seals is an associate professor in Auburn University's Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering. She graduated with a B.S. C.S. from Grambling State University, M.S. C.S. from North Carolina A&T State University and a Ph.D. C.S. from Virginia Tech. Seals conducts research in Human Computer Interaction with an emphasis in visual programming of educational simulations, user interface design & evaluation, and educational gaming technologies. Dr. Seals also works with computing outreach initiatives to improve CS education at all levels by a focused approach to increase the computing pipeline by getting students interested in STEM disciplines and future technology careers. One of these initiatives is the STARS Alliance (starsalliance.org) with programs in K-12 outreach, community service, student leadership and computing diversity research.

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Abstract

The U.S. government has made cybersecurity one of its top priorities in light of recent cyber attacks on K-12 schools. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) 2023 report revealed a massive increase in cyber-attacks on K-12, from 400 to 1,300 incidents over the three-year period (2018-2021), and the U.S. government projects that the threat level will increase. Cybersecurity workers are in high demand in the private and public K-12 sectors, government, and industry because of the increased cyber threats. In the U.S., there are over 600,000 job openings, according to Cyberseek and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The shortage of workers provides job opportunities for individuals with autism. Autism comes with serious challenges but several strengths, and given tasks that serve their strengths, autistic individuals excel. This study proposes a solution that involves the creation and application of 360-degree virtual reality (VR) and game-based learning (GBL) technology to help ASD individuals, particularly high school students, acquire cybersecurity skills through practical experience so that they may succeed in these positions. Virtual reality, game-based learning can provide autistic high school students with an immersive, learner-centered educational experience.

Nix, K. N., & Seals, C. (2024, March), Game-Based Immersive Learning for Education: Empowering Autistic High School Students to Address the Growing Cyber Threats in K-12 Schools Paper presented at 2024 South East Section Meeting, Marietta, Georgia. 10.18260/1-2--45531

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