An Educator-Guided LLM Pedagogical Agent for Scaffolded Feedback in Conceptual Database Design

Abstract:We present an educator-guided LLM pedagogical agent for scaffolded feedback in conceptual database design. Integrated into an entity--relationship diagram (ERD) editor, the system grounds feedback in the student artifact, assignment requirements, educator-authored rubrics, and instructional resources. Its architecture separates hidden, artifact-grounded diagnosis from the workflow that controls the form and disclosure level of student-facing support. We instantiate the architecture as a four-stage workflow progressing from concept checks and guided application to low-detail feedback and localized clarification. Each feedback request creates a stateful episode linked to versioned ERD states. In a deployment spanning three ERD environments and 383 feedback episodes, 71.1\% of observed target-level changes fully or partially incorporated the hidden diagnostic target, including many after Stages~1--2. Qualitative analysis showed that staged disclosure sometimes withheld inaccurate details, supported selective uptake, or allowed later recovery, though some errors still shaped revisions. Survey responses from a self-selected sample favored delayed disclosure and student agency but noted indirectness and repetition.

Artificial Intelligence (cs.AI)

arXiv:2610.00870 [cs.AI]

(or arXiv:2610.00870v1 [cs.AI] for this version)

https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2610.00870 Focus to learn more arXiv-issued DOI via DataCite (pending registration)

arXivLabs is a framework that allows collaborators to develop and share new arXiv features directly on our website.

Both individuals and organizations that work with arXivLabs have embraced and accepted our values of openness, community, excellence, and user data privacy. arXiv is committed to these values and only works with partners that adhere to them.

Have an idea for a project that will add value for arXiv's community? Learn more about arXivLabs.