Improving Cryptography Education through Adaptive Web Interfaces: Usability, Accessibility, and Interactive Learning

Current educational tools for teaching basic encryption methods, such as the Caesar, Monoalphabetic, and Vigenre ciphers, typically rely on static interfaces, which do not accommodate varied user needs or accessibility requirements.This paper describes a class project development of an adaptive web-based learning application specifically tailored to simplify foundational encryption concepts for beginners, particularly undergraduate and entry-level learners with limited prior cryptography experience.The interface dynamically adjusts instructional support based on real-time user interactions, offering adaptive hints, immediate validation feedback, and interactive quizzes designed to enhance engagement and comprehension.For proof of concept, usability evaluations were conducted with 10 undergraduate participants who had minimal prior cryptography knowledge.Qualitative feedback and quantitative assessments demonstrated high user satisfaction regarding navigability, visual appeal, clarity of instructions, and perceived effectiveness of adaptive features.However, participants also highlighted areas for improvement, including clearer feedback for input errors and more explicit guidance on adaptive functionality.Although the current implementation is tailored specifically for introductory cryptography concepts, our adaptive approach can be extended and scaled to more complex cryptographic algorithms or other STEM subjects.This research contributes a practical model illustrating how adaptive interfaces can effectively enhance learning experiences through dynamic responsiveness to user needs.