GenAI Prompt Library

What is an AI Prompt?

A prompt is the instructions that we give an AI tool to tell it what we want it to generate. While you can start with a broad request and refine the prompt with new instructions, this process can be time-consuming and requires checking each new response for updates. The more specific we are with the information we provide in the initial prompt, the better the initial result will match our expectations. Limiting the assumptions we require the AI to make can significantly enhance the results. 

To craft an effective starting prompt, remember the synonym SPLAT:

  • Speaker - Ask the AI to take on a persona. 
    • "Examples: "As an expert Biology professor..." or "Pretend you are a character from [insert name of literary piece]..."
  • Purpose/Product - Be specific about what you want or don’t want.
    • Give details about what you want included or excluded from the AI response.
    • Fully explain the activity, upload curriculum resources, and/or provide additional context.
  • Length - How much information do you want?
    • Specify the amount of information you are looking to generate or the amount of time you wish to spend on the generated activity.
  • Audience - Who is this response intended for?
    • Should the information be presented at a 10th grade reading level, for advanced biology students, etc.?
    • Are special accommodations needed, or should the output be generated at a specific depth of knowledge or level of rigor to challenge the students' thinking?
  • Tone - Do you want a formal tone? Relaxed?

 

How do I Use This Sample Prompt Library?

This AI Prompt Library consists of sample prompts that can be copied/pasted into any chatbot of your choice (ChatGPT Links to an external site., Claude Links to an external site., Copilot Links to an external site., Gemini, Links to an external site. NotebookLM Links to an external site., etc.) and adjusted to your preferences. Just reword the highlighted information that is within brackets and add any other information to meet your individual needs.

Consider these prompts as ideas for an initial starting point. The more nuanced information you share during your conversation with AI models, the more tailored and effective the AI-generated solutions will be. If necessary, continue to further prompt the AI by refining, editing, and adding more collaborative input until you achieve your desired outcomes.

IMPORTANT: Always review AI-generated content for accuracy and bias before applying it to student learning.

 

Sample Prompts

Use AI to generate multiple levels of text.

As an expert [Sociology] instructor, create three tiered versions of this document appropriate for students in a college [freshman 101] level course that will make the information accessible to students at a variety of levels of proficiency, including students at a high, medium, and low level of understanding. [Upload document.] The tiered versions should be approximately [250] words each. The tone should be engaging for students but include the necessary material for them to master the following lesson objective(s): [Insert objective(s).] 

 

Use AI to generate questions to gauge student understanding (formative assessment).

As an expert college [Biology] instructor, generate [10] [open-ended, multiple-choice, mixed format, etc.] questions for students in a [200] level course to answers as a mid-lesson activity to measure student understanding of the following objective(s): [insert objective(s)]. The questions should come after students learn about [insert topic of introductory lesson relating to the objective(s)]. After answering the questions, students will learn about [insert topic of next lesson relating to the objective(s)]. Craft the questions such that the material students learn before the questions connects to the information they will learn in the next lesson.

(You can also upload notes, slides, etc. to provide the AI with more detailed information of the introductory lesson and subsequent lesson.) 

 

Use AI to generate a rubric to fit an assignment or project.

As an expert [ENGT] instructor for students in a college [100] level course, create a rubric that can be used to evaluate the student’s completion of the assignment/project based upon mastery of the following objective(s): [insert objective(s)]. [Provide details of the assignment/project. Example: Design, draw, annotate/document an electrical motor control circuit using the required components with the necessary functionality and then wire it, troubleshoot it if necessary and then finally demonstrate the circuit.] The rubric should include criteria primarily focused on [insert key skills/knowledge students should demonstrate]. Generate the rubric as a table with [6] criteria and [3] proficiency levels for each criterion.

 

Use AI to create guided/fill-in-the-blank notes from an outline or slideshow presentation.

An an expert college [HVAC] instructor teaching [advanced] level students, generate [3] pages of guided/fill-in-the-blank notes for students in my course based on this document. [Upload outline, slides, or other document.] The notes should provide students a guide as we work through the lesson and provide places for them to demonstrate various levels of thinking. The main focus of the lesson is [insert objective(s)].

 

Use AI to offer choices of ways students can demonstrate mastery of content.

As an expert college [History] professor, create a [three-activity] choice board for students in a [100] level course to display mastery of the following objective(s): [Insert objective(s).] For the activities, consider [scaffolds, accommodations, and extensions necessary for students at high, medium, and low levels of proficiency]. Include options where students could [choose to either work independently or collaboratively with a partner or in a small group, include activities that have a mix of technology and offline learning opportunities, etc.]. Each of these activities should be completable in [approximately two 1-hour class meetings]. Create a table that displays the following information about the activities created: [the activity name, a 1-sentence description of the activity, whether the activity is collaborative, independent or could be done as either collaborative or independent, and whether the activity is digital, offline or a mix of both.] Afterward, offer to create detailed instructions for each of the activities but do not create the instructions immediately. I will request the specific options that I want after reviewing your initial list. The instructions should include [an outline of the activity and the activity requirements to display mastery of the objective(s), and the instructions should be written to be accessible for students in the course.]

 

Use AI to create a case study.

As an expert in the field of [Psychology], create a case study that will help students explore this learning outcome: [identify the
underlying causes of neurological and mental disorders]. Make the length appropriate for students in a [Psychology II] course.

 

Tip: Remember that you can always prompt the AI to differentiate activities/assessments based upon proficiency levels, learning styles, etc. while still addressing the same learning objective(s).