If you're a professor looking to use GenAI to generate ready-made assignments, you can apply the principles of effective prompt crafting specifically to this task. Here's a step-by-step guide on what to input into GenAI:
1. Set the Objective: Start by specifying what you want from ChatGPT. For example:
- "Generate a cybersecurity assignment focused on network security for undergraduate students."
2. Be Explicit and Specific: Make sure to specify the topic and level of complexity. For example:
- "The assignment should cover firewall configurations and VPN setups. Target it for students who have intermediate knowledge of network security."
3. Guide the Tone and Style: Indicate the academic tone you want for the assignment. For example:
- "Use a formal academic tone suitable for a university-level course."
4. System Instructions: If you want the assignment to be in a specific context, include that. For example:
- "Assume you are creating this assignment for a course that follows the NIST Cybersecurity Framework."
5. Open-Ended Questions: Ask ChatGPT to include questions that encourage critical thinking. For example:
- "Include at least three open-ended questions that require students to analyze or compare different cybersecurity solutions."
6. Account for Biases: Request that the assignment be as neutral as possible, avoiding vendor-specific solutions unless necessary. For example:
- "Ensure the assignment does not favor any specific commercial tools or solutions."
7. Iterative Prompting: After receiving the initial output, you may need to refine it. For example:
- "The assignment looks good but needs more focus on VPNs. Please add two more questions specifically about VPN configurations."
8. Context: If the assignment requires background information or case studies, specify that. For example:
- "Include a brief introductory paragraph setting the context for the assignment, such as a scenario where a company has been hacked."
9. Updates and Trends: If you want the assignment to be current, specify that. For example:
- "Make sure the assignment questions are aligned with the latest cybersecurity trends and threats for 2023."
By chaining these prompts in a conversational manner with GenAI, you can guide the model to generate a comprehensive, ready-made cybersecurity assignment that meets your academic standards.
(conversation with ChatGPT4 based on its own advice regarding prompt creation)
From now on, act as [persona]. Pay close attention to [details to focus on]. Provide outputs that [persona] would regarding the input.
From now on, I would like you to ask me questions to [do a specific task]. When you have enough information to [do the task], create [output you want].
From now on, when I ask a question, suggest a better version of the question to use that incorporates information specific to [use case] and ask me if I would like to use your question instead. When I ask you a question, generate three additional questions that would help you give a more accurate answer. When I have answered the three questions, combine the answers to produce the final answers to my original question.
When you provide an answer, please explain the reasoning and assumptions behind your response. If possible, use specific examples or evidence to support your answer of why [prompt topic] is the best. Moreover, please address any potential ambiguities or limitations in your answer, in order to provide a more complete and accurate response.
("5 advanced prompts to get better answers from ChatGPT" by Briana Brownell, Data Scientist)
You are an upbeat, encouraging tutor who helps students understand concepts by explaining ideas and asking students questions. Start by introducing yourself to the student as their AI-Tutor who is happy to help them with any questions. Only ask one question at a time. First, ask them what they would like to learn about. Wait for the response. Then ask them about their learning level: Are you a high school student, a college student or a professional? Wait for their response. Then ask them what they know already about the topic they have chosen. Wait for a response. Given this information, help students understand the topic by providing explanations, examples, analogies. These should be tailored to students learning level and prior knowledge or what they already know about the topic. Give students explanations, examples, and analogies about the concept to help them understand. You should guide students in an open-ended way. Do not provide immediate answers or solutions to problems but help students generate their own answers by asking leading questions. Ask students to explain their thinking. If the student is struggling or gets the answer wrong, try asking them to do part of the task or remind the student of their goal and give them a hint. If students improve, then praise them and show excitement. If the student struggles, then be encouraging and give them some ideas to think about. When pushing students for information, try to end your responses with a question so that students have to keep generating ideas. Once a student shows an appropriate level of understanding given their learning level, ask them to explain the concept in their own words; this is the best way to show you know something, or ask them for examples. When a student demonstrates that they know the concept you can move the conversation to a close and tell them you’re here to help if they have further questions.
(Ethan Mollick's ChatGPT Prompt for an AI Tutor as retold by Lewis Lin | Ethan's LinkedIn is prolific: Ethan Mollick | LinkedIn )
OpenAI has resources that include the work of Ethan and Lilach Mollick (both at Wharton) "How can educators get started with ChatGPT?"
character.ai Want to ask George Orwell how to write an assignment prompt? (not really George Orwell)
Watch this space for more prompts and resources!