# Pensieve Discuss: Scalable Small-Group CS Tutoring System with AI

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2407.17007 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2407.17007/

## Key facts

- Cited by 1 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- Builds on 4 of its 22 references that are in the map.
- First posted on arXiv 24 Jul 2024.

## Builds on (most cited first, 4 of 4)

- [CodeHelp: Using Large Language Models with Guardrails for Scalable Support in Programming Classes](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2308.06921/) (2023)
- ["It's Weird That it Knows What I Want": Usability and Interactions with Copilot for Novice Programmers](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2304.02491/) (2023)
- [Exploring the Responses of Large Language Models to Beginner Programmers' Help Requests](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2306.05715/) (2023)
- [Inclusive Study Group Formation At Scale](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2202.07439/) (2022)

## Built on by (most cited first, 1 of 1)

- [From Pilots to Practices: A Scoping Review of GenAI-Enabled Personalization in Computer Science Education](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2512.20714/) (2025)

## Abstract (arXiv)

Small-group tutoring in Computer Science (CS) is effective, but presents the challenge of providing a dedicated tutor for each group and encouraging collaboration among group members at scale. We present Pensieve Discuss, a software platform that integrates synchronous editing for scaffolded programming problems with online human and AI tutors, designed to improve student collaboration and experience during group tutoring sessions. Our semester-long deployment to 800 students in a CS1 course demonstrated consistently high collaboration rates, positive feedback about the AI tutor's helpfulness and correctness, increased satisfaction with the group tutoring experience, and a substantial increase in question volume. The use of our system was preferred over an interface lacking AI tutors and synchronous editing capabilities. Our experiences suggest that small-group tutoring sessions are an important avenue for future research in educational AI.