This post features teachers whose students took part in the CyberStart America programme.
Four teachers share how they used CyberStart to introduce and advance their students’ cyber security skills
Jeremy, Kristi, Michael and Melissa offer their experiences and tips on implementing CyberStart in the classroom.
Jeremy Abuan - High Tech High School, New Jersey
The game-inspired learning experience pretty much sold itself!
How did you promote CyberStart to your students?
As a computer science teacher, many of my students are already interested in anything tech-related. I gave my students the opportunity to play the CyberStart challenges whenever they finish their work early. The game-inspired learning experience pretty much sold itself! After just trying it once, many students continued to use the platform on their own.
Why do you think your students enjoy CyberStart?
Students are interested in learning about technology and fields that they can possibly get into. I think the idea of learning while having fun solving challenges is one of the main selling points for signing up.
What would you say to another educator who was considering telling students to play CyberStart?
I would say to absolutely do it! The enthusiasm that my students showed for the program, as well as the ability to have students take learning into their own hands, was enough for me to want to continue promoting it.
Have you played any / many of the challenges in CyberStart game yourself?
I had the opportunity to try some of the challenges myself. They were very fun and engaging. As you progress, you get to try out more and more things that require you to fall deeper into the rabbit’s hole. Each challenge, once solved, provided a sense of accomplishment that is hard to find in learning platforms.
Kristi Rice - Spotsylvania High School, Virginia
Some of my students did not even think they would be good at it, but they are, and they love it.
How did you promote CyberStart to your students?
I use it in my classrooms as a learning tool. I review over the field manual with my students. I then assign a level each week.
Why do you think your students enjoy CyberStart?
This game really helps my students connect with me and my class. They are so overwhelmed with other courses that they look forward to playing the game in class and taking a break from other stresses.
What would you say to another educator who was considering telling students to play CyberStart?
Do it! There is so much in this game that the students will learn so much. Some of my students did not even think they would be good at it, but they are, and they love it.
Have you played any / many of the challenges in CyberStart game yourself?
Yes, I have, and they are wonderful.
Want to know how gamification is revolutionising cyber security education? Check out our insightful blog post for educators here.
Michael Derbish - Magnolia High School, California
This is something essential for students to grasp real-world experience and not just theory or concepts, but realistic scenarios.
How did you promote CyberStart to your students?
Through a collaborative group assignment to test their cyber skills and see where the holes are in their knowledge.
Why do you think your students enjoy CyberStart?
To test their cyber skills and see how much they know and can figure out.
What would you say to another educator who was considering telling students to play CyberStart?
This is something essential for students to grasp real-world experience of cyber security and not just theory or concepts, but realistic scenarios.
Have you played any / many of the challenges in CyberStart game yourself?
I have gone through a few of the different levels myself. They are challenging without being impossible or overwhelming to complete. Perfect for my high school students.
Melissa Perrin-Smith - Advanced Technologies Academy, Nevada
It has a little bit of something that each person is good at yet allows them to stretch their problem-solving skills.
How did you promote CyberStart to your students?
In an afterschool club environment.
Why do you think your students enjoy CyberStart?
They have so much fun!
What would you say to another educator who was considering telling students to play CyberStart?
I think it is a great opportunity to encourage students to think outside the box! It is like a game, and students can work together or separately. It has a little bit of something that each person is good at yet allows them to stretch their problem-solving skills. They will make wonderful attachments with other students that have the same curiosity as they do. Also, did I say it is FUN?!
Have you played any / many of the challenges in CyberStart game yourself?
Yes. They are challenging. I worked with the students, and I think it was a good opportunity to see that we all come to the table with some skills but that everyone has an opportunity to shine! I think it deepened their respect in my knowledge while still allowing them to shine.
Want to help your students learn about cyber security in a fun, practical and engaging way? Check out CyberStart today and get your students involved!
