Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on New Media Development and Modernised Education (NMDME 2025)

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Reforming Data Structures Education in the Era of Generative AI: A Student-Centered, AI-Integrated Framework

Authors
Guangxi Peng1, *, Xiping Cao1
1Guangdong University of Science and Technology, Dongguan City, Guangdong Province, 523668, China
*Corresponding author. Email: 1017683348@qq.com
Corresponding Author
Guangxi Peng
Available Online 29 December 2025.
DOI
10.2991/978-2-38476-523-2_13How to use a DOI?
Keywords
Data Structures; Artificial Intelligence; Generative AI; Computer Science Education; Cognitive Load; Curriculum Reform
Abstract

The emergence of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools, such as GitHub Copilot and ChatGPT, is fundamentally reshaping computer science education. Traditional pedagogical models that focus on rote memorization and manual implementation of data structures are increasingly misaligned with the needs of an AI-driven software development industry. This paper proposes a transformative, student-centered teaching framework that strategically integrates AI into data structures courses. The framework emphasizes higher-order cognitive skills, critical analysis, and ethical awareness, positioning AI as a collaborative learning partner rather than a substitute for human reasoning. A mixed-method pilot study indicate that the AI-integrated model significantly enhances problem-solving skills and project complexity while reducing cognitive overload. This study verified the effectiveness of the proposed framework through a comparative analysis between the experimental group and the control group, combining quantitative data and qualitative interviews. And it concludes with a roadmap for large-scale adoption and discusses implications for future workforce readiness in the AI era.

Copyright
© 2025 The Author(s)
Open Access
Open Access This chapter is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits any noncommercial use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license and indicate if changes were made.

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Volume Title
Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on New Media Development and Modernised Education (NMDME 2025)
Series
Advances in Social Science, Education and Humanities Research
Publication Date
29 December 2025
ISBN
978-2-38476-523-2
ISSN
2352-5398
DOI
10.2991/978-2-38476-523-2_13How to use a DOI?
Copyright
© 2025 The Author(s)
Open Access
Open Access This chapter is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits any noncommercial use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license and indicate if changes were made.

Cite this article

risenwbib
TY  - CONF
AU  - Guangxi Peng
AU  - Xiping Cao
PY  - 2025
DA  - 2025/12/29
TI  - Reforming Data Structures Education in the Era of Generative AI: A Student-Centered, AI-Integrated Framework
BT  - Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on New Media Development and Modernised Education (NMDME 2025)
PB  - Atlantis Press
SP  - 124
EP  - 135
SN  - 2352-5398
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2991/978-2-38476-523-2_13
DO  - 10.2991/978-2-38476-523-2_13
ID  - Peng2025
ER  -