Contrasting How Student Perceives on Human and AI scaffolding in Career Advising

• In Event: AERA Research in Progress Roundtable Session Two
  In Invited Roundtable: Research-in-Progress RT010 (Thursday)

Abstract

This study explores how students experience and perceive scaffolding in career advising supported by human advisors and an AI agent. Using a qualitative case study design with three university participants sampled through convenience sampling. The research identifies differences in emotional, cognitive, and balanced scaffolding across human and AI contexts. Findings suggest that human advisors provide stronger emotional support, while AI excels in structured cognitive guidance. The study highlights the potential of hybrid advising models and points to the need for larger and more diverse samples to strengthen conclusions.

Author

• Yanni Chen, Harvard University