SuperPrompts for Teaching

--- tags: Superprompting_guide --- # SuperPrompts for Teaching As a University academic, enhancing the learning experience for students is a top priority. Being able to use ChatGPT4 (and the emerging ecosystem of AI accelerated tools) effectively can provide immense value in supporting teaching, research, and administration. To make the most of these powerful tools, an important *future skills* is to be able to create high-quality **SuperPrompts**. This one-page guide will help you write effective prompts to support teaching. Prompts should be detailed (far more detailed than a typical Google search term) and give ChatGPT as much information as possible to give the type of response you need. ## 1. Define the Objective Clearly outline the purpose and learning outcomes you want to achieve with the prompt. For example: > Objective: Help students understand the concept of natural selection in evolution. ## 2. Be Specific and Contextual Provide enough context and information to guide the model's response. Include relevant details, examples, and constraints as necessary. > Bad Prompt: Explain natural selection. > > Good Prompt: Explain the concept of natural selection as proposed by Charles Darwin in the context of biological evolution, and provide an example involving the peppered moth during the Industrial Revolution. ## 3. Clarify the Desired Format Explicitly state the format you want the response in, such as a summary, bullet points, or a step-by-step explanation. > Desired Format: Provide a concise summary, followed by three key points that highlight the main aspects of natural selection. ## 4. Manage Response Length Specify the length of the response to ensure it is suitable for your intended use. > Response Length: Limit your answer to approximately 200 words. ## 5. Request Multiple Perspectives To encourage critical thinking and debate, ask for multiple perspectives, counterarguments, or potential drawbacks. > Additional Perspectives: Discuss two potential criticisms of the theory of natural selection and how they have been addressed by scientists. ## 6. Encourage Sourcing Request the model to provide sources, references, or citations to back up its claims. > Sources: Include at least two reputable sources to support your explanation. --- ### Example SuperPrompt: Objective: Help students understand the concept of natural selection in evolution. Prompt: Explain the concept of natural selection as proposed by Charles Darwin in the context of biological evolution, and provide an example involving the peppered moth during the Industrial Revolution. Provide a concise summary, followed by three key points that highlight the main aspects of natural selection. Discuss two potential criticisms of the theory of natural selection and how they have been addressed by scientists. Include at least two reputable sources to support your explanation. Limit your answer to approximately 200 words. --- By following these guidelines, you can create effective SuperPrompts to support your teaching objectives and enhance your students' learning experience with ChatGPT.