Cybersecurity in Education inspiring meeting CyberSec EduCheck project
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In response to this need, a unique meeting took place on November 22, 2024, at the Coventry University Wrocław campus as part of the #CyberSec EduCheck project, co-funded by the European Union. The event brought together representatives from high schools in Poland and the Czech Republic to share knowledge, experiences, and best practices for protecting young people in the digital world.
Key Objectives of the #CyberSec EduCheck Project
The #CyberSec EduCheck project is implemented under the Erasmus+ program as KA210-VET – Small-Scale Partnership in the Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector. Its primary goal is to raise awareness among students, teachers, and parents about online threats such as cyberbullying and inadequate online security practices.
As part of the project, surveys were conducted among high school students in Poland and the Czech Republic, shedding new light on their cybersecurity habits. These findings will serve as a foundation for creating effective educational materials and tools to support teachers in their daily work.
Research Findings: What is the Awareness of Young People Regarding Cybersecurity?
During the meeting, experts Weronika Kędzierska and Mateusz Pękala (Coventry University Wrocław) presented the findings from surveys conducted in 10 high schools – 5 in Poland and 5 in the Czech Republic.
Here are the key findings:
25% of students have experienced cyberbullying or hate speech online. Most of them (72%) ignore such situations instead of seeking help or taking action.
Nearly half of the students admitted to sharing their passwords with others, which poses a serious threat to their online security.
Almost 50% of young people do not know what multi-factor authentication (MFA) is, despite it being one of the basic tools for protecting user accounts.
The research also revealed significant differences in the perception of cybersecurity knowledge levels. Students rated their skills at 3.89 on a 5-point scale, while teachers rated them at only 2.86 out of 5. This indicates a clear gap between the actual and declared level of awareness among young people.
Practical Materials for Teachers
As part of the project, five lesson plans were developed, which can be used during IT classes or tutor hours. The topics covered include cyberbullying, personal data protection, and safe use of social media. All materials were tested during workshops with teachers from schools participating in the project.
Teachers who took part in the workshops emphasized that the prepared lesson plans are extremely useful and address current educational needs. The feedback provided will be used to further refine the materials, which will soon be made available to a broader audience.
Inspiring Presentations by Experts
The meeting was enriched by two fascinating presentations:
Martyna Wilk from the Wrocław Social Development Center presented best practices in supporting youth and educators in the field of cybersecurity. Her lecture provided participants with many practical tips that can be used when working with young people.
Karolina Kornecka-Kupiec discussed the opportunities offered by the Erasmus+ program, as well as the benefits of using the EPALE platform, which supports educators in developing their professional skills.
Networking and Exchange of Experiences
One of the key elements of the event was an open discussion on the developed materials and their potential application in school practice. Participants also had the opportunity to network, exchanging experiences and ideas. The meeting concluded with a delicious lunch, encouraging informal conversations and networking.
Next Steps in the Project
The #CyberSec EduCheck project team faces further challenges and ambitious plans. The developed materials will be made available to a wider audience, and the team will continue working on improving them.
For more information about the project, visit:
- https://www.coventry.ac.uk/wroclaw/
- https://kreatywnidlabiznesu.pl/cyber-sec-edu-check/
- https://eccedu.net/
What can You do?
In your opinion, what actions are most effective in promoting safe online practices among young people? Your experiences and ideas can be a valuable addition to the initiatives undertaken within the project. Share your thoughts and join the discussion!
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Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.All results developed within the framework of this project are made available under open licenses (CC BY-SA 4.0 DEED). They can be used free of charge and without restrictionsCopying or processing these materials in whole or in part without the author's permission is prohibited. If the results are used, it is necessary to mention the source of funding and its authors.
#cybersecurity #education #EPALE #CyberSecEduCheck #ErasmusPlus #CoventryUniversityWroclaw
