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Information Literacy: AI in Higher Education: Creating Prompts

Information literacy is the ability to find, evaluate, and use information ethically

Prompts

Crafting Effective Prompts: A Guide for Faculty

Introduction

Prompts are the instructions or questions you give to an AI system to generate a response. These can range from a few keywords to detailed paragraphs. The clarity, specificity, and context of your prompt directly influence the quality and usefulness of the AI’s output.

For faculty, well-crafted prompts can support a wide range of academic tasks—from designing assignments and summarizing research to drafting communications or generating teaching materials.

Tips for Creating Effective Prompts

To get the most out of generative AI tools, consider the following strategies:

1. Provide Context

Include background information or the purpose of your request. For example:

“Act as a curriculum designer. Create a week-long module on climate change for undergraduate environmental science students.”

2. Be Specific

The more detail you provide, the better the AI can tailor its response. Specify:

  • Topic or subject area
  • Target audience (e.g., first-year students, graduate researchers)
  • Format (e.g., outline, summary, quiz, email)
  • Length (e.g., 200 words, 5 bullet points)

3. Define Tone and Voice

Indicate how the response should sound:

  • Tone: formal, conversational, persuasive, neutral
  • Voice: empathetic, authoritative, optimistic, etc.

4. Clarify Ambiguities

Avoid vague terms or clarify their meaning. For example, if you use the word “model,” specify whether you mean a statistical model, a teaching model, or a conceptual framework.

5. Assign a Role

Framing the AI as a specific expert can improve results. For example:

“You are a writing tutor. Provide feedback on this student’s thesis statement.”

If the Output Isn’t Quite Right

AI responses may not be perfect on the first try. Here’s how to refine them:

  • Revise your prompt with more detail or clearer instructions.
  • Ask follow-up questions to clarify or expand on the response.
  • Request revisions: “Can you make this more concise?” or “Rewrite this for a graduate-level audience.”
  • Provide examples of what you’re looking for to guide the AI.

 

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