Learning with GenerativeAI

Introducing GenAI Prompts

What are prompts?

They are input elements such as words, phrases, questions, or keywords that users enter into GenAI tools to generate results. Now that you know what prompts mean, consider the skilful art of crafting highly effective prompts to achieve the desired outcomes, also known as the art of  ‘prompt engineering‘.

In the context of ChatGPT, prompts refer to the instruction or discussion topic that users provide for the GenAI model to respond to. It can take the form of a question, statement, or any stimulus aimed at fostering creativity, reflection, or engagement. These prompts are designed to be open ended allowing customisation to align with the user’s preferences and interests.

Understanding the concepts of prompts and prompt engineering is crucial for effectively harnessing the power of generative AI in teaching and learning. In case the sound of “prompt engineering” makes you feel nervous or overwhelmed, we are sharing this quote from Ethan Mollick’s blog post, A guide to prompting AI (for what it is worth):

“The best way to use AI systems is not to craft the perfect prompt, but rather to use it interactively. Try asking for something. Then ask the AI to modify or adjust its output. Work with the AI, rather than trying to issue a single command that does everything you want. The more you experiment, the better off you are.”

The best approach is an interactive one, where the user critically analyzes the GenAI output to further modify or add to the prompt in order to obtain the desired output. With that being said, there is some information and some strategies that will make things easier and more efficient as you interact with GenAI tools. And this is something we all need to practice!

What makes a good prompt?

Firstly, when using GenAI tools like ChatGPT, Copilot or Gemini, the better your prompts, the better the results you will get. Simply put, an effective prompt not only sets the topic but also provides clear instructions on the task, effectively guiding the tool.

Is it challenging to write a good prompt? Creating effective prompts can be a challenging task, as the quality of the output relies on the specificity and clarity of the prompts or input instructions.

The following ‘prompt formula’ is an effective way to generate high-quality outputs:
[Context] + [Specific Information] + [Intent/Goal] + [Response Format (if needed)]

 

Principles for good prompting

  1. Craft precise and unambiguous instructions.
  2. Use the conversational interface on many generative AI tools to refine its outputs.
  3. Specificity is key! The model will make an assumption on any point you do not clearly explain.
  4. Formulate a relevant prompt.
  5. Consider when the completions fall short of expectations.
  6. Enhance the clarity of the prompt. You could refine your prompts using a set of exemplars*.
  7. Repeat the process to iteratively improve your prompt’s effectiveness

Remember that as you chat with the GenAI tool, it will learn more about what you need. Use the conversational turns to help the tool improve its outputs. Also remember that simple prompts lead to simple (and similar) completions.

The following table outlines some prompting techniques, formulas and examples:

Technique Description Formula Example
Clear Intent Clearly state the desired output or question “Generate a output that [condition].” Generate a summary that captures the main ideas.
Specificity Be specific about the required content or format. “Generate a [output] that includes [specific content].” Generate a poem that rhymes and has 10 lines.
Constraints Set limitations to guide the response. “Generate a [output] within [specified constraints].” Generate a story using only 100 words.
Personas Assign a persona or role to define tone or expertise. “Acting as [role], write a [output] about [topic].” Acting as an expert journalist, write a creative title for this article.
Evaluation Specify criteria for assessing the response quality. “Review the [output] against [criteria] and suggest ways to improve.” Review the essay against the rubric and suggest edits.
Style Specify the desired tone or writing style. “Generate a [output] in a [specific style].” Generate a persuasive essay using formal language.

*How to refine a prompt with an exemplar:

Original Prompt:

“Explain the concept of artificial intelligence in higher education.”

 

Refined Prompt with Exemplar:

“Please provide a clear and concise explanation of artificial intelligence in higher education, highlighting its impact on faculty and students. Include practical examples and real-world applications to illustrate your explanation.”

This refined prompt includes specific instructions and exemplars such as “impact on faculty and students” and “practical examples” to guide the response towards a more detailed and informative explanation.

Attribution: Generative Artificial Intelligence in Teaching and Learning Copyright © 2023 by Centre for Faculty Development and Teaching Innovation, Centennial College is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

Attribution: University Of Sydney AI in Education https://canvas.sydney.edu.au/courses/51655 The content in this Canvas course is licensed under a Creative Commons BY-NC 4.0 licence

 

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Are You AI Ready? Investigating AI Tools in Higher Education - Student Guide Copyright © 2024 by SATLE 'Are You AI Ready?' Project Team, University College Dublin is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.