A Study of Awareness about Cyber Safety and Security Practices among Pre-Service Teacher Trainees

Approved

Relevance and Originality:

The Research Article is highly relevant in today's context, where cyber safety in education is becoming increasingly important. The focus on pre-service teacher trainees is particularly timely, given their future role in educating students about cyber safety. The originality of the study lies in its examination of this specific group and its identification of training gaps, which are crucial for developing more effective teacher education programs and improving overall cyber safety awareness.

Methodology:

The research employs a quantitative approach, utilizing structured online survey questionnaires to collect data from 97 pre-service teacher trainees. This method is appropriate for assessing knowledge and understanding of cyber safety concepts across a sample. However, additional details on the survey design, such as the types of questions asked and how they were validated, would provide a clearer understanding of the methodology. Information on how demographic characteristics were factored into the analysis would also be beneficial.

Validity & Reliability:

The summary indicates the use of statistical techniques to identify patterns and levels of awareness, which is essential for ensuring the validity and reliability of the findings. However, more information on how the data collection process was standardized and how the results were cross-verified would strengthen the assessment of validity and reliability. Additionally, details on how the sample size was determined and any potential biases in the data collection process would be useful.

Clarity and Structure:

The summary is clear and well-structured, providing a concise overview of the study's focus, methodology, and results. It effectively highlights key findings, such as the moderate understanding of specific threats and the security vulnerabilities among trainees. To enhance clarity, the summary could include more specific examples of the statistical techniques used and how they contributed to identifying training gaps and areas for improvement.

Result Analysis:

The result analysis reveals that while a majority of trainees had prior knowledge of cyber safety, their understanding of specific threats like phishing was moderate, and their confidence in managing cyber risks was relatively low. The identification of poor password management practices and frequent password sharing as significant vulnerabilities provides actionable insights. For a more comprehensive result analysis, the study could benefit from detailed statistical findings, such as the exact levels of awareness and the relationship between demographic factors and cyber safety knowledge. Additionally, discussing the implications of these findings for teacher education programs and suggesting specific improvements based on the results would provide a more complete evaluation of the study's impact.