Abstract
It cannot be ignored that Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been a breakthrough in the field of higher education, providing opportunities to improve the processes of teaching, learning, and cybersecurity education. Given this, it is becoming increasingly vital to gain insight into the effect of Generative AI exposure on the acquisition of fundamental Information Technology skills by the learners. This research paper investigated the impact of Generative AI exposure on cybersecurity knowledge and skills, critical thinking skills, and ethical AI usage among third year Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (BSIT) students of University of Eastern Pangasinan. A quantitative descriptive-correlational type of study was done in combination with a developmental approach. Overall, there were 185 third year BSIT students who took part in the survey using a validated self-reporting questionnaire. The statistical tools such as the mean and standard deviation were used to measure their AI exposures and competencies, while Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient was used to determine the correlations between the variables. From the results, it can be seen that the subjects exhibited high knowledge of Generative AI tools and high levels of usage, while cybersecurity engagement was moderate. Cybersecurity skills and critical thinking skills were also at the moderate level, while responsible use of AI was at a high level. Correlation tests showed that there were statistically significant positive correlations between Generative AI experience and cybersecurity skills (r = .874), critical thinking skills (r = .822), and responsible use of AI (r = .792), where all correlations were significant at p < .001. From the findings, one can see that the more exposure to Generative AI the subject had, the better their technical, analytical, and ethical skills. Based on the above results, an AI-Enhanced OBTL Syllabus was formulated.
Keywords: Generative Artificial Intelligence, AI-Enhanced Outcomes-Based Teaching and Learning (OBTL) Syllabus, cybersecurity education, cybersecurity skills, critical thinking, responsible AI use.
1. Introduction
The quick advancement in the field of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) has brought a change in higher education in the form of redefining teaching and learning methods, assessments, and problem-solving techniques. The use of AI tools such as ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and GitHub Copilot enables students to create content, program codes, perform analysis in cybersecurity cases, and get feedback instantly, which increases the efficiency of learning. With the increasing integration of technology into education, there is potential for using Generative AI to improve cybersecurity education by cultivating technical skills, critical thinking skills, and responsible use of AI. The educational benefits of Generative AI depend on its integration into the curriculum for educational purposes other than just being a productivity tool (OECD, 2023; UNESCO, 2023).
2. Results and Discussion
This chapter provides the results of the study based on the three refined research questions. These are presented in two main parts: Results and Discussion. The Results part shows the statistical results via tables and descriptive analysis, while the Discussion part discusses the results within the context of the existing literature, theoretical framework, and the implications for AI-based cybersecurity education. The results were also the bases for formulating the OBTL syllabus for AIbased cybersecurity education.
3. Conclusion
This study concluded that third-year Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (BSIT) students at the University of Eastern Pangasinan demonstrated moderate levels of exposure to Generative AI among the third year BSIT students in the University of Eastern Pangasinan in terms of high familiarity and frequency of usage but moderate level of engagement in cybersecurity activities. The respondents also showed moderate levels of skills in cybersecurity and critical thinking while responsible AI use was high. Statistically significant positive correlation was observed between Generative AI exposure and cybersecurity skills, critical thinking, and responsible AI use. It shows that greater exposure to Generative AI is significantly correlated with better technical, analytical and ethical competencies. From these results, an AI Enhanced Outcomes-Based Teaching and Learning (OBTL) Cybersecurity Education Course Syllabus was created in order to close the competency gaps identified through the study by utilizing the use of AI-assisted learning activities, assessments and cybersecurity simulations in addition to responsible AI use.
References
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Full reference list available in the PDF version.