Game-Based Immersive Learning for Education: Empowering Autistic High School Students to Address the Growing Cyber Threats in K-12 Schools

The U.S. government has made cybersecurity one of its top priorities in light of recent cyber attacks on K-12 schools. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) 2023 report revealed a massive increase in cyber-attacks on K-12, from 400 to 1,300 incidents over the three-year period (2018-2021), and the U.S. government projects that the threat level will increase. Cybersecurity workers are in high demand in the private and public K-12 sectors, government, and industry because of the increased cyber threats. In the U.S., there are over 600,000 job openings, according to Cyberseek and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The shortage of workers provides job opportunities for individuals with autism. Autism comes with serious challenges but several strengths, and given tasks that serve their strengths, autistic individuals excel. This study proposes a solution that involves the creation and application of 360-degree virtual reality (VR) and game-based learning (GBL) technology to help ASD individuals, particularly high school students, acquire cybersecurity skills through practical experience so that they may succeed in these positions. Virtual reality, game-based learning can provide autistic high school students with an immersive, learner-centered educational experience.