Development of Outcomes-Based Teaching and Learning AI-Enhance Cybersecurity Education Course Syllabus

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.