Feeling overwhelmed by the buzz around Artificial Intelligence? You’re not alone. We’ve all been there – that moment when a new tech tool seems more like a puzzle than a solution. But here’s the thing: AI, especially when used with effective prompts, can be a game- changer for your classroom.
Forget the technical jargon. Let’s talk about something you already excel at: communication. Prompt engineering is simply about communicating clearly with AI to get the results you need. Think of it as having a conversation with an assistant who has access to all the world’s information, but needs a little guidance.
I want to share my approach to crafting effective prompts, think of this as a help guide to getting the output you want.
Five Keys to Prompt Creation:
- Persona: Who is the AI?
- Imagine you’re assigning a role. Tell the AI who you want it to be. For example,
“Act as a seasoned curriculum developer” or "Act like a 5th grade science
teacher." This sets the tone and expertise level. - Example: "Act as an expert in early childhood education."
- Objective: What do you need?
- Clearly state what you want the AI to do. "Generate 5 lesson plan ideas," "Summarize this article," or "Create a rubric." Be specific! The more information you provide, the better the results.
- Example: "Generate 5 lesson plan ideas for a 3rd grade science class about the water cycle. Include a hands-on activity which can be accomplished on a tight to no budget. Include 3 formative assessment questions which could be used as a ticket out the door."
- Audience: Who is the AI assisting?
- Define who the AI is helping. Is it for you, your students, or parents? This helps the AI tailor its response.
- Example: "Generate a summary of this article for 6th grade students."
- Context: What does the AI need to know?
- Provide relevant background information. The more details you give, the better the AI can understand your request. Include grade level, subject, specific topics, and any relevant details.
- Example: "The students are struggling with understanding the concept of evaporation, and we have one 45 minute class period to cover the topic. The NJ Science Standard(s) I’m targeting are…"
- Boundaries: Set direction and limitations.
- Specify any constraints or guidelines. "Keep it under 200 words," "Use a specific format," or "Focus on practical activities."
- Example: "Keep the lesson plan ideas focused on hands-on activities, and use simple household items."
Putting It All Together: An Example
Let's see how these keys work in practice. Here is an example of a prompt that I have used.
"You are a teacher assistant in an English Language Learner and Response To Intervention Middle School classroom. The students are starting to independently write sentences, but they are reading at a lower elementary level. They might write sentences like, 'the dog run fast' or 'I like to play ball.' They are focusing on sentence structure. You are to assist them by providing specific feedback at a second grade level, on a couple of aspects of their sentences, such as capitalization, punctuation, word order, complete sentences, overall flow and subject/verb agreement. Offer one or two suggestions for improvement in simple language, speaking directly to the student as if you were in the classroom. Do NOT rewrite their sentences. Start out by welcoming the student and asking for their three sentences to be submitted to you. Be encouraging!"
See how each key plays a role?
Why This Matters for You
I know what you’re thinking: “Another thing to learn?” But trust me, once you get the hang of it, prompt engineering can save you time and spark new ideas. Imagine:
- Generating lesson plans in minutes.
- Creating personalized learning materials.
- Brainstorming creative project ideas.
- Generating various assessment questions.
One Final Tip Before You Leave
I always like to include this last sentence at the end of my prompt:
“Before you begin, please ask me any clarifying questions you need answered to be as successful as possible.”
Remember, AI is built on large language models which means for it to be as successful as possible, it requires conversation. It is quite rare that a simple prompt is entered and without any additional information given you get the exact output you are hoping for.
You're Not Alone!
If you're feeling a bit lost, don't worry! Your building's computer support teacher is a fantastic resource. They can help you explore AI tools and craft effective prompts.
The world of AI is evolving rapidly, and by learning to craft effective prompts, you're not just keeping up – you're empowering yourself and your students.
Let’s embrace the possibilities together!