Scaffolding Student Learning through GenAI in Cybersecurity Education

Hannan Xiao; Binoli Shah; Joeseph Spring; Ievgeniia Kuzminykh; Stiven Janku

Scaffolding Student Learning through GenAI in Cybersecurity Education

Hannan Xiao^*, Binoli Shah, Joeseph Spring, Ievgeniia Kuzminykh, Stiven Janku

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference paper › peer-review

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Abstract

The integration of Generative AI (GenAI) into education has the potential to transform pedagogical approaches and redefine learner engagement. Concerns, however, remain regarding the use of GenAI as a shortcut to final answers rather than as a scaffolding tool to support genuine understanding and critical thinking. This short paper presents a conceptual framework and system design for leveraging GenAI as a scaffolding tool to prompt student learning in cybersecurity education. The proposed framework introduces a GenAI-powered scaffolding agent that provides step-by-step guidance and fosters independent learning through inquiry-based dialogues aligned with established scaffolding strategies. The system architecture for this AI-driven scaffolding tool is presented in this paper, tailored within the context of cybersecurity pedagogy.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	the 3rd International Workshop on Cyber Security Education for Industry and Academia (CSE4IA 2025), Munich, Germany
Publication status	Accepted/In press - May 2025

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abstract = "The integration of Generative AI (GenAI) into education has the potential to transform pedagogical approaches and redefine learner engagement. Concerns, however, remain regarding the use of GenAI as a shortcut to final answers rather than as a scaffolding tool to support genuine understanding and critical thinking. This short paper presents a conceptual framework and system design for leveraging GenAI as a scaffolding tool to prompt student learning in cybersecurity education. The proposed framework introduces a GenAI-powered scaffolding agent that provides step-by-step guidance and fosters independent learning through inquiry-based dialogues aligned with established scaffolding strategies. The system architecture for this AI-driven scaffolding tool is presented in this paper, tailored within the context of cybersecurity pedagogy.",

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AU - Xiao, Hannan

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AU - Spring, Joeseph

AU - Kuzminykh, Ievgeniia

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AB - The integration of Generative AI (GenAI) into education has the potential to transform pedagogical approaches and redefine learner engagement. Concerns, however, remain regarding the use of GenAI as a shortcut to final answers rather than as a scaffolding tool to support genuine understanding and critical thinking. This short paper presents a conceptual framework and system design for leveraging GenAI as a scaffolding tool to prompt student learning in cybersecurity education. The proposed framework introduces a GenAI-powered scaffolding agent that provides step-by-step guidance and fosters independent learning through inquiry-based dialogues aligned with established scaffolding strategies. The system architecture for this AI-driven scaffolding tool is presented in this paper, tailored within the context of cybersecurity pedagogy.

M3 - Conference paper

BT - the 3rd International Workshop on Cyber Security Education for Industry and Academia (CSE4IA 2025), Munich, Germany

ER -

Scaffolding Student Learning through GenAI in Cybersecurity Education

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