Mastering AI: Crafting Effective Prompts for Educators

One of the most important aspects of using AI effectively is crafting the right prompts and understanding how to approach planning your interactions with AI. In a workshop I recently delivered, we touched on the SPARK framework, which emphasizes Simplicity, Precision, Adaptability, Reinforcement, and Knowledge when interacting with AI.

Let’s explore that a bit further.

Three Key Principles for Writing Prompts

1. Clarity

Make sure your instructions are crystal clear.

Example: Instead of “What are good books?” try “What are three recommended books for high school students studying American history?”

2. Specificity

Be specific in your requests.

Example: Instead of “Create a quiz,” try “Create a 10-question multiple-choice quiz on photosynthesis for 9th-grade biology students.”

3. Context

Providing background helps AI tailor responses.

Example: “Generate a 500-word essay on the impact of the Industrial Revolution for a 10th-grade history class, focusing on technological advancements and social changes.”

Want to give it a try? I’ve attached a few ready-made prompts below. Use these to get started, and feel free to tweak them based on your needs.

These prompts are starting points for you. Take them and modify them knowing that despite saying - [12th grade history class], my college/university professors can change that to be - [Marketing students or Grad Cert Students] etc.

Sample Prompts

Create a Lesson Plan on [Topic]

“Generate a detailed lesson plan for a high school 12th-grade history class on the topic of the Cold War. The lesson plan should include the following components:

• Learning objectives that cover key events, ideological conflicts, and the role of key figures during the Cold War.
• A timeline of major Cold War events (1945-1991) with brief explanations of each event’s significance.
• Discussion questions that encourage critical thinking about the causes and consequences of the Cold War, such as: ‘How did the nuclear arms race shape global politics?’ and ‘What was the impact of the Cold War on developing nations?’
• Suggested activities that include a debate on the effectiveness of containment policies, a role-play simulation where students act as leaders from different Cold War nations, and a group analysis of primary source documents (e.g., excerpts from the Truman Doctrine and Brezhnev Doctrine).
• Assessment methods, including a short quiz, a reflective essay prompt on the lasting impacts of the Cold War, and a project where students create a visual timeline or multimedia presentation.”

This advanced lesson plan should cater to a 90-minute class period with differentiated activities for various learning styles. Include clear links to curriculum standards.

Generate Rubrics for [Subject] Assessments

“Create a comprehensive rubric for a 9th-grade biology lab report on the topic of photosynthesis. The rubric should include:

• Criteria for evaluating the following:
  • Introduction and hypothesis: How well does the student introduce the concept of photosynthesis and form a testable hypothesis?
  • Methods and materials: Are the experimental procedures and materials clearly described and logically organized?
  • Data collection and analysis: Are data represented accurately using charts/graphs? How well does the student analyze the data, and do they interpret the results in relation to their hypothesis?
  • Conclusion: Does the conclusion reflect a clear understanding of photosynthesis and its implications based on the data?
  • Mechanics and scientific writing: Are grammar, punctuation, and scientific terminology used correctly throughout the report?
• Scoring breakdown:

  Each criterion should be scored on a scale of 1-5, with specific descriptors for each level (e.g., 'Level 5: The introduction thoroughly explains photosynthesis and presents a well-defined hypothesis that directly aligns with the experiment.').

• Advanced feedback options:

  Include spaces for personalized feedback, where the teacher can give guidance on areas for improvement and identify strengths in scientific analysis and critical thinking.

This rubric should meet curriculum standards for scientific inquiry and support differentiation by including options for additional credit (e.g., extra research on the effects of light intensity on photosynthesis).

Draft Report Card Comments for a Student Excelling in [Subject]

“Draft detailed and personalized report card comments for a student excelling in 10th-grade English Language Arts. The student demonstrates strong skills in both literary analysis and creative writing. Include:

• Strengths in specific areas:
  • Literary analysis: 'This term, [Student’s Name] has demonstrated an exceptional ability to engage with complex literary texts. Their analysis of symbolism in “The Great Gatsby” showed a sophisticated understanding of themes such as the American Dream and class struggles.'
  • Writing: 'In their creative writing, [Student’s Name] consistently produces engaging and original content, demonstrating advanced mastery of narrative structure, character development, and dialogue.'
• Commendation on participation:

  'In class discussions, [Student’s Name] frequently leads with insightful comments, helping to deepen peers’ understanding of the material.'

• Suggestions for further development:

  'To continue excelling, I encourage [Student’s Name] to focus on integrating more secondary sources in their literary essays to strengthen their critical arguments.'

• Overall comment:

  '[Student’s Name] is a remarkable student whose passion for literature and writing continues to shine. Their dedication to academic excellence is evident in every assignment, and I look forward to seeing them continue to thrive in their studies.'

These comments should reflect the student's progress against provincial standards for English Language Arts and include positive encouragement for future growth.”

Let me know how it goes!