As artificial intelligence (AI) tools become increasingly integrated into higher education, understanding how to effectively communicate with these systems is becoming an essential skill for educators. This guide introduces the concept of "prompting" - the art and science of crafting effective instructions for AI systems - and explains why it matters for your teaching practice.

Prompting is the way we communicate our needs, questions, and instructions to AI systems like ChatGPT. Think of it as having a conversation with a highly knowledgeable but very literal assistant. Just as you would want to be clear and specific when giving instructions to a teaching assistant, the same principle applies when working with AI.

The quality of AI outputs directly correlates with the quality of your prompts. Well-crafted prompts lead to more accurate, relevant, and useful responses, while vague or unclear prompts often result in generic or unsuitable content.

• Be Specific and Clear: Instead of "Help me with grading," write "Create a detailed rubric for grading a 5-page research paper in an introductory psychology course, focusing on research methodology, citation accuracy, and argument development."
• Provide Context: Include relevant background information, such as student level, course objectives, and any specific requirements or constraints.
• Set Parameters: Specify the format, length, tone, and level of detail you want in the AI's response.
• Use Role Specifications: Tell the AI which perspective to adopt (e.g., "Respond as an experienced physics professor explaining quantum entanglement to undergraduate students").

• Course Planning: Generate course outlines, learning objectives, and suggested readings
• Assignment Creation: Design projects, discussion questions, and assessment criteria
• Feedback Generation: Create templates for common student feedback scenarios
• Content Adaptation: Modify existing materials for different learning levels or needs

• Document successful prompts and share them with colleagues
• Model good prompting practices for students
• Start simple and gradually experiment with more complex instructions
• Review and verify AI-generated content before use
• Maintain a collection of effective prompts for common tasks

Effective prompting is a valuable skill that can enhance your teaching efficiency and effectiveness. As AI tools continue to evolve, your ability to communicate clearly with these systems will become increasingly important. Remember that the goal is not to replace traditional teaching methods but to augment them with AI tools in ways that enhance the learning experience for your students.