The elements of cryptography in teaching

Kriptografija je znanstvena disciplina koja proučava metode slanja poruka u obliku u kojemu ih može pročitati samo osoba kojoj su namijenjene. U ovom su radu navedeni elementi povijesti kriptografije te predstavljene zanimljive metode šifriranja i dešifriranja. Neke od tih metoda prilagođene su učenicima osnovnih škola, a moguće ih je provesti u redovnoj ili dodatnoj nastavi matematike. Uključivanje elemenata kriptografije može obogatiti nastavu, dati joj dinamičnost i uzbudljivost, ali i potaknuti kreativnost, znatiželju i motiviranost kod učenika. Ideja rada prikazati je kako na zanimljiv način približiti učenicima kriptografiju, što je i provedeno s učenicima razredne i predmetne nastave. Radionica je provedena i sa studentima Fakulteta za odgojne i obrazovne znanosti u Osijeku, budućim učiteljima, s ciljem upoznavanja s mogućnostima uvođenja kriptografskih sadržaja u redovnu ili dodatnu nastavu matematike.Cryptography is a scientific discipline that studies the methods of sending messages in a form that can only be read by the person they are intended for. In this paper elements of cryptographic history are presented as well as interesting methods of encryption and decryption. Some of the methods are adjusted for primary school students and can be implemented in both regular and additional (advanced) mathematics class. The use of cryptographic elements may enrich teaching and contribute to its dynamics and excitement, but also stimulate creativity, curiosity and motivation among students. The idea of the paper is to present cryptography in an interesting way in classes, which was tested among primary school students. The workshop was also conducted with students of the Faculty of Education in Osijek, i.e. future teachers, with the aim to learn about different possibilites of including a cryptographic content into regular or additional (advanced) mathematics classes