ProtectTech: a ChatGPT generated scenario activity to foster student decision-making capability

Cyber security and political science are increasingly becoming interconnected, and from this an interdisciplinary skillset is emerging. This calls for the importance of effective education to foster the development of these skills. Drawing on the importance of engaging and applied learning experiences, this paper introduces ProtechTech Solutions, a scenario-based group activity generated by ChatGPT. The scenario is presented, and how it was used for a group of postgraduate students studying ‘Information Security Management’. Addressing the integration of ChatGPT into teaching practices, the paper fills a research gap by demonstrating how large language models can efficiently create classroom resources and lead to increased student engagement, measured through the variables of interest and excitement. Therefore, this paper provides a concrete example of practice, offering instructors valuable insights into adopting similar strategies. Furthermore, it was found that the scenario activity contributed to increased student self-efficacy and the development of essential skills, including decision-making, critical thinking, communication, and teamwork. These skills, crucial for both cybersecurity specialists and political scientists, transcend various domains globally, suggesting the adaptability of ProtechTech’s scenario creation process to other subject areas.