What Are Prompts? 

Prompts are the initial text or questions that you provide to an AI or a large language model (LLM) to elicit a response. Think of them as instructions that guide the AI in generating meaningful text. Prompts can be a simple question, an unfinished sentence, or a more detailed set of instructions, depending on what you want the AI to do. 

How Do Large Language Models Use Prompts? 

Large language models, like those found in NaviGator Chat, are trained on vast amounts of text and use patterns and associations in the data to generate relevant responses based on the prompt they receive. When you provide a prompt, the model analyzes the text, determines the intent, and generates a response that continues or complements the prompt. The quality and relevance of the response often depend on how well you have structured your prompt. A clear and specific prompt typically results in more accurate and useful outputs. 

Example 

Suppose you want to generate text about the benefits of online learning. You might provide the following prompt: 

"Explain the benefits of online learning." 

The AI might generate a response like this: 

"Online learning offers several benefits, including flexibility in scheduling, a wide range of available courses, and the ability to learn from anywhere. It allows students to balance their studies with other commitments and provides opportunities for personalized learning experiences." 

Tips for Writing Prompts 

• Provide context: Provide background information by explaining your role, the role of the AI, and the intended audience.  

• Be Clear and Specific: Ensure your prompt precisely describes what you want the AI to generate. Ambiguous prompts can lead to vague or unhelpful responses. 

• Define the Task: Clearly state the action you want the AI to perform, such as “explain”, “list”, “summarize”, “write from the point of view of…”, etc. 

• Use Examples: If possible, include a short example to demonstrate the desired format or style of the response. 

• Specify Format Requirements: If you need the response in a particular format (e.g., a list, a paragraph, or a numbered section), include this in your prompt. 

• Mindful of Length: If you need a response with a certain length, make it clear within your prompt. For example, specify lengths such as "in several paragraphs", "with in-depth explanations", or “in two sentences”. 

• Test, Iterate, and Refine: Experiment with different phrasings, structures, and keywords. Adjust your prompts based on the quality of the responses you receive. 

Prompt Ideas 

Here are some resources that provide ideas for writing and using prompts for teaching and learning: 

• AI Prompt Cookbook: presented through several Tech Byte events, this Google Doc has many “recipes” to help you get started with using prompts to prepare your courses. There are also “elevated recipes” that include ways that AI can be used as activities or assignments. 

• AI Prompt Library: A collection of prompts that can be added to NaviGator Chat to give you a set of tools for using AI. These prompts can also be copied and pasted for use.