Cryptology is the art of encrypting and decrypting secret information using codes and algorithms.

Each lesson will focus on a certain cipher of cryptology.

Each lesson will be a live lesson where the class will be encoding and decoding messages on a particular cipher. In addition to the live lesson for each class, students will also be provided a detailed KEY to reference if they need additional practice or need to look over the steps again. 

During class students will have an opportunity to interact with Mr. Wittmer and the class and to ask engaging questions regarding the coding and decoding given the cipher of that lesson. At the end of the class, students will participate in a fun and engaging cumulative review where they will collaboratively put their knowledge to the test. 

Students will be permitted time between lessons to check-in with Mr. Wittmer to ask clarifying questions on that lesson's key concept via Outschool messaging, or video conference calling.

Each lesson will be broken down into separate live classes centered on a particular cipher. Students will be expected to complete a homework assignment following each lesson that assesses the student’s understanding of the cipher taught for that particular lesson.

This 4 class course will give students a general idea of the introduction to the world cryptology and the exploration of encryption and decryption using selected ciphers.

Lesson 1: History, Caesar Ciphers
• History
• Simple Substitution Ciphers
• Encoding Messages using the Caesar Cipher
• Decoding Messages using Letter Frequency

Lesson 2: Substitution Ciphers and Repeating Key Word Ciphers
• Encoding Messages using Substitution Ciphers
• Decoding Messages using Letter Frequency
• Encoding messages using Repeating Keyword Ciphers or Vigenere Ciphers

Lesson 3: Playfair Ciphers
• Encoding Playfair Ciphers, using rules of Playfair
• Decoding Playfair Ciphers, using rules of Playfair

Lesson 4: JEOPARDY (Team/Individual – Dependent on the number of students enrolled)
• Fun engaging, collaborative cumulative review where students will put their knowledge to the test.

PREREQUISITES:
Students should possess good problem solving skills, self-advocacy skills, and a willingness to learn in new ways.