Prompting Patterns with Copilot: Transforming K-12 Education

Introduction

In the dynamic world of K–12 education, one skill stands out as a game-changer for teachers: the art of crafting effective prompting patterns. This powerful tool, when used effectively, can transform the learning experience, making it more engaging, interactive, and meaningful for students.

Prompting patterns are not just about asking questions; they’re about sparking curiosity, encouraging critical thinking, and guiding students on their learning journey. This blog post aims to provide K–12 teachers with a comprehensive understanding of prompting patterns, their importance, and how to apply them effectively in the classroom.

Whether you’re a seasoned educator or a novice teacher, this guide will equip you with the knowledge and skills to create impactful prompts that can enhance your teaching practice. So, let’s dive into the fascinating world of prompting patterns for teachers!

The Basics of Prompt Engineering

Prompt engineering is a crucial aspect of effective teaching and learning. It involves designing high-quality prompts that guide learners to produce accurate outputs. This process includes choosing the correct type of prompts, optimizing their length and structure, and determining their order and relevance to the task.

Prompts can take many forms, such as verbal or written instructions, visual cues, or physical gestures. In the context of education, a prompt is an input provided to the learner to generate a response or action.

Types of Prompts

Prompts can be used by K-12 teachers to guide an LLM to perform various kinds of tasks in the classroom. Understanding how to write prompts to attain the desired result effectively is essential. Here are a few examples of prompts used in LLMs:

Recall Prompts: These prompts help LLMs retrieve information they have been trained on. Teachers can use these prompts to have the LLM provide students with facts or concepts previously covered in the curriculum.

Process Prompts: These prompts guide LLMs through a sequence of steps or a procedure. Teachers can use these prompts to have the LLM explain a process or procedure to students in a step-by-step manner.

Metacognitive Prompts: These prompts encourage LLMs to generate responses that demonstrate a form of self-reflection or awareness. While LLMs do not possess consciousness or self-awareness, these prompts can be used by teachers to stimulate students’ thinking and reflection.

Importance of Prompt Engineering

Prompt engineering is crucial for optimizing the performance of LLMs like Microsoft Copilot in the classroom. Making sure that prompts are able to deliver the desired learning outcomes requires teachers to carefully craft their prompts based on a clear and accurate understanding of the learning objectives.

Proper prompting can also help ensure consistent and accurate responses from the LLM. For example, well-crafted prompts can guide an LLM to generate more accurate, relevant, and contextually appropriate responses, enhancing the learning experience for students.

The Art of Crafting Prompts

Crafting effective prompts is both an art and a science. It involves understanding the learning objectives, the learners’ needs, and the context in which the learning is taking place. When using AI tools in the classroom, crafting the right questions (prompts) is key. Here are some principles to keep in mind:

Keep it Simple and Clear:

Make your question straightforward and clear. Avoid unnecessary details and make sure the AI tool knows exactly what you’re asking.

Make it Relevant:

Your question should be related to what you’re teaching. Include important keywords or phrases that are specific to the topic.

Align with Learning Goals:

The question should help achieve your learning goals. Make sure it’s designed to guide students towards the outcome you want.

Use Examples:

For complex topics, it can be helpful to include an example in your question. This can show the AI tool the kind of answer you’re looking for.

Be Neutral:

Try to avoid any language that could lead to biased or sensitive responses. Stick to neutral language, especially when dealing with sensitive topics.

Break it Down:

If you’re dealing with a complex task, break it down into smaller parts. You can ask a series of questions that guide the AI tool (and your students) through the task step by step.

Be Ready to Adjust:

Be prepared to adjust your question based on the answers you get. If the AI tool isn’t giving the response you want, try rephrasing your question or providing more context.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

When crafting questions, avoid these common mistakes:

Overloading the question with too much information
Making the question too vague
Not aligning the question with your learning goals

Microsoft 365 Copilot: The Art and Science of Prompting

Microsoft 365 Copilot uses prompts to perform tasks for you, such as creating, summarizing, editing, or transforming content. Here are some key points about prompting in Microsoft 365 Copilot:

Types of Prompts According to Microsoft

There are many types of prompts you can use, depending on the task you want done. For example:

Learning about projects and concepts: “What is [Project X] and who are the key stakeholders working on it?”
Editing text: “Check this product launch rationale for inconsistencies.”
Transforming documents: “Transform this FAQ doc into a 10-slide onboarding guide.”
Summarizing information: “Write a session abstract of this [presentation].”
Creating engaging content: “Create a value proposition for [Product X].”
Catching up on missed items: “Provide a summary of the updates and action items on [Project X].”

Prompt Ingredients

To get the best response, it’s important to focus on some key elements when phrasing your Copilot prompts. These include:

Goal: What response do you want from Copilot?
Context: Why do you need it, and who is involved?
Expectations: How should Copilot respond to best meet your expectations?
Source: Which information sources or samples should Copilot use?

Keeping the Conversation Going

Following up on your prompts helps you collaborate with Copilot to gain more useful, tailored responses. This could involve generating content ideas, gaining insights, enabling insightful meetings, providing storytelling assistance, translating languages, and solving technical problems.

Helpful Hints

There are some helpful hints to keep in mind:

Know Copilot’s limitations. Copilot is limited to your current conversation, so give lots of details.
Use quotation marks. This helps Copilot know what to write, modify, or replace for you.
Be professional. Using polite language improves Copilot’s response.
Start fresh. Avoid interrupting and type “new topic” when switching tasks.
Communicate clearly. Pay attention to punctuation, grammar, and capitalization.

Prompt-ingredients-one-pager Download

Exploring Prompting Patterns: A Deep Dive into 17 Effective Strategies for K–12 Education

In this comprehensive section, we’re going to embark on an exciting journey through the world of prompting patterns. With a total of 17 unique patterns to explore, we’ll uncover the transformative potential these strategies hold for K–12 classrooms.

Each pattern, when effectively implemented, can stimulate critical thinking, foster deeper understanding, and actively engage students in their learning journey.

So, let’s dive in and discover how these prompting patterns can revolutionize your teaching practice and create a vibrant learning environment!

The prompting patterns discussed in this section are based on the teachings of Professor Dr. Jules White from the course Prompt Engineering for ChatGPT that I completed on Coursera.

1. Exploring Different Solutions Pattern

The “Exploring Different Solutions Pattern” involves brainstorming multiple solutions for a given problem. This method encourages diverse and creative problem-solving, leveraging the AI tool’s broad knowledge base. It can be particularly useful in a classroom setting to demonstrate to students that there are often multiple ways to solve a problem.

Format

To use this pattern, your question to the AI tool should include the following key elements:

Identify the Task: Clearly state the task or problem you want the AI tool to help with. For example, “If there are different ways to solve math problem X…”
Request Alternatives: Ask the AI tool to list alternative approaches. For example, “…list the best alternate methods to solve it.”
Compare Approaches (Optional): Ask the AI tool to compare and contrast the pros and cons of each approach. This can help students understand the benefits and drawbacks of different problem-solving strategies.
Include Original Method (Optional): If you’ve already taught a specific method to solve the problem, you can ask the AI tool to include this in its response. This can help students compare new methods with what they’ve already learned.
Choose an Approach (Optional): Finally, you can ask the AI tool to suggest which approach might be best to use. This can guide students towards effective problem-solving strategies.

Remember to replace “X” with the specific task or problem you’re working on with your students. This pattern can be a powerful tool to enhance problem-solving skills and critical thinking in the classroom. 😊

Classroom Use Case

For instance, a teacher could use this pattern to generate different ways to explain a complex concept like photosynthesis. The teacher could ask, “If there are alternative ways to explain photosynthesis to a 5th-grade class, list the best alternate approaches. Compare/contrast the pros and cons of each approach.”

2. Seeking Student Input Pattern

The “Seeking Student Input Pattern” involves crafting questions that direct AI tools to wait for student input before generating responses. This pattern helps manage the AI tool’s output, ensuring it aligns with student expectations and the classroom context.

Format

To use this pattern, your question to the AI tool should include the following key elements:

Identify the Input: Clearly state what input you want the students to provide. For example, “Ask the students for their thoughts on topic X…”
Replace ‘X’: Replace “X” with the specific input you want, such as a “question”, “idea”, or “solution”.

Classroom Use Case

For example, a teacher could use this pattern to generate a series of questions for a history lesson. The teacher could say to the AI tool, “From now on, generate a series of questions based on the key points in this history lesson. Ask the students for their thoughts on the first key point.”

This pattern can be a powerful tool to encourage student participation and engagement in the classroom.

3. Understanding Your Students Pattern

The “Understanding Your Students Pattern” focuses on tailoring AI responses for specific student personas. This technique guides the AI tool to consider the student’s background and needs, leading to customized explanations.

Format

To use this pattern, your question to the AI tool should include the following key elements:

Identify the Topic: Clearly state what topic you want the AI tool to explain. For example, “Explain topic X to me…”
Describe the Student: Describe the student who will be learning about this topic. For example, “…Assume that I am a student who is Y.”
Replace ‘X’ and ‘Y’: Replace “X” with the specific topic you’re teaching, and “Y” with a description of the student. This could be their grade level, interests, or prior knowledge of the topic.

Classroom Use Case

For instance, a teacher could use this pattern to explain a complex concept like the water cycle to different student personas. The teacher could ask the AI tool, “Explain the water cycle to me. Assume that I am a 5th grader who loves comic books.”

This pattern can be a powerful tool to personalize learning and engage students in the classroom.

4. Breaking Down Problems Pattern

The “Breaking Down Problems Pattern” is a strategy that emphasizes the importance of step-by-step reasoning in problem-solving tasks. It’s about guiding an AI tool to break down problems into manageable steps, making it easier for students to understand and follow.

Format: To use this pattern, your instruction to the AI tool should include the following key elements:

State the Problem: Start by clearly stating the problem or question that the students need to solve. For example, “We’re working on a challenging math problem…”
Ask for Steps: Ask the AI tool to break down the problem into smaller steps. For example, “…can you break this problem down into simpler steps for the students to follow?”
Request the Solution: Finally, ask the AI tool to provide the solution based on these steps. For example, “…and then show us the solution based on these steps.”

Classroom Use Case

This pattern can be particularly useful in a classroom setting where students are learning to solve complex problems. For example, a math teacher could use this pattern to guide students through a challenging algebra problem. The teacher could ask the AI tool, “We’re working on a challenging algebra problem. Can you break this problem down into simpler steps for the students to follow? And then show us the solution based on these steps.”

This approach not only helps students understand the problem-solving process but also engages them in active learning. 😊

5. Question Breakdown Pattern

The “Question Breakdown Pattern” involves breaking down a complex question into smaller, related questions to improve understanding and accuracy. This pattern not only enhances the AI tool’s reasoning ability but also aids students in structuring their thinking about a problem.

Format

To use this pattern, your instruction to the AI tool should include the following key elements:

State the Rules: Start by stating that when the AI tool is asked a question, it should follow these rules.
Generate Additional Questions: Ask the AI tool to generate a number of additional questions that would help more accurately answer the original question.
Combine the Answers: Finally, ask the AI tool to combine the answers to the individual questions to produce the final answer to the overall question.

Classroom Use Case

This pattern can be particularly useful in a classroom setting where students are working on a research project. For example, when students are asked to research a historical event, a teacher could instruct the AI tool to generate a series of related questions to guide the research process.

This approach not only helps students understand the topic better but also engages them in active learning.

6. Key Facts Summary Pattern

The “Key Facts Summary Pattern” involves creating a summary of key facts at the end of AI responses. This pattern aids in identifying and verifying important information in the generated text, ensuring its accuracy and reliability.

Format

To use this pattern, your instruction to the AI tool should include the following key elements:

Generate Key Facts: Ask the AI tool to generate a set of key facts that are contained in the response. For example, “Can you generate a set of key facts that are contained in this explanation…”
Position of Key Facts: Specify where the key facts should be inserted in the output. For example, “…and summarize these facts at the end of the explanation.”
Importance of Accuracy: Highlight that these key facts are fundamental and their accuracy is crucial. For example, “These facts should be the fundamental points that could undermine the accuracy of the explanation if any of them are incorrect.”

Classroom Use Case

This pattern can be particularly useful in a classroom setting where students are working on a research project or an essay. For example, a teacher could use this pattern to verify the facts in a student’s essay. The teacher could ask the AI tool, “Generate a set of key facts that are contained in this essay and summarize these facts at the end of the essay.”

This pattern can be a powerful tool to enhance fact-checking skills and critical thinking in the classroom.

7. Learning from Examples Pattern

The “Learning from Examples Pattern” involves using a few specific examples to guide an AI tool in solving problems or answering questions. This pattern allows the AI tool to learn and apply a sequence of actions or thought processes to new situations, effectively adapting its reasoning or decision-making capabilities. By demonstrating a series of steps in these examples, it helps the AI tool to understand and replicate similar patterns in problem-solving scenarios.

Format: To use this pattern, your instruction to the AI tool should include the following key elements:

Provide Examples: Start by providing a few examples that clearly demonstrate the pattern or process you want the AI tool to learn.
Detail Actions and Thought Processes: Each example should include detailed actions and corresponding thought processes or reasoning steps.
Apply to New Situations: Once the AI tool has learned from these examples, it can apply the learned pattern to new situations, effectively demonstrating the ability to solve problems or answer questions in a similar manner.

Classroom Use Case

This pattern is particularly useful for teaching students complex problem-solving skills. For instance, in a science class, a teacher could provide a few examples of scientific experiments, including the hypothesis, experiment steps, observations, and conclusions. The AI tool can then help students design their own experiments by following a similar structure, thereby fostering critical thinking and analytical skills.

8. Interactive Learning Pattern

The “Interactive Learning Pattern” involves the AI tool asking students questions to guide the learning process. This pattern allows for more targeted information gathering and helps achieve specific learning outcomes.

Format

To use this pattern, your instruction to the AI tool should include the following key elements:

State the Goal: Start by stating what you want to achieve with the AI tool’s questions. For example, “I would like you to ask the students questions to help them understand topic X…”
Set the Condition: Specify when the AI tool should stop asking questions. For example, “…You should ask questions until the students can explain the topic in their own words.”
Question Frequency (Optional): You can specify how often the AI tool should ask questions. For example, “…Ask the students one question at a time.”

Remember to replace “X” with the specific topic you’re teaching.

Classroom Use Case

This pattern can be particularly useful in a classroom setting where students are engaged in a discussion or a group activity. For example, when discussing a historical event, a teacher could instruct the AI tool to generate a series of related questions to guide the discussion.

This approach not only helps students understand the topic better but also engages them in active learning.

9. Educational Game Pattern

The “Educational Game Pattern” involves using games to enhance learning and problem-solving skills in the classroom. This pattern makes the AI tool act as a game master, creating rules and content based on the learning objectives.

Format

To use this pattern, your instruction to the AI tool should include the following key elements:

Identify the Game Topic: Start by stating the topic around which you want the AI tool to create a game. For example, “Create a game for my students around topic X…”
Set the Game Rules: Provide one or more fundamental rules of the game. For example, “…The game should involve solving problems related to X and increase the score every time a student gets one right.”

Remember to replace “X” with the specific topic you’re teaching.

Classroom Use Case

This pattern can be particularly useful in a classroom setting where students are learning a new topic. For instance, a math teacher could use this pattern to create an educational game around fractions. The teacher could ask the AI tool, “Create a math game for my 5th-grade class. The game should involve solving fractions and increase the score every time a student gets one right.”

This pattern can be a powerful tool to make learning fun and engaging in the classroom. 😊

10. Interactive Classroom Command Pattern

The “Interactive Classroom Command Pattern” involves creating a set of actions that the AI tool will perform based on specific student or teacher inputs. This pattern can make learning interactive and fun in the classroom.

Format

To use this pattern, your instruction to the AI tool should include the following key elements:

State the Command: Start by stating the command. For example, “Whenever I say: ‘begin READING’…”
Specify the Action: Specify what action the AI tool should perform when it hears the command. For example, “…you start a timer.”
Additional Commands (Optional): You can provide additional commands for the AI tool to follow.
Ask for Next Action: Finally, ask the AI tool to ask for the next action once it’s done. For example, “…When you’re done, you ask me, ‘What’s next?’”

Classroom Use Case

This pattern can be particularly useful in a classroom setting where teachers want to manage classroom activities in an interactive way. For example, a teacher could say, “Whenever I say: ‘begin READING’, you start a timer. When I say ‘show HOMEWORK’, you show today’s homework. When you’re done, you ask me, ‘What’s next?’”

Students can also use this pattern. For example, a student says, “Whenever I type: ‘define WORD’, you tell me what the word means. When I type ‘solve PROBLEM’, you help me solve it. When you’re done, you ask me, ‘What’s next?’”

This pattern can be a powerful tool to enhance classroom management and student engagement in a fun and interactive way.

11. Classroom Secret Code Pattern

The “Classroom Secret Code Pattern” is like creating a secret language in the classroom that only the teacher and students understand. It can make learning more fun and interesting.

Format

To use this pattern, your instruction to the AI tool should include the following key elements:

State the Code: Start by stating the code word or symbol. For example, “When I say ‘Rocket’…”
Explain the Meaning: Explain what the code word or symbol means. For example, “…it means start the activity.”

Remember to replace ‘Rocket’ with your chosen code word and ‘start the activity’ with what the code word means.

Classroom Use Case

This pattern can be particularly useful in a classroom setting where teachers want to manage classroom activities in a fun way. For example, a teacher could say, “When I say ‘Rocket’, it means start the activity. When I say ‘Landing’, it means stop the activity.”

Students can also use this pattern. For example, a student says, “When I type ‘Eagle’, it means I need help. When I type ‘Nest’, it means I’m done with my work.”

This pattern can be a powerful tool to enhance classroom management and student engagement in a fun and interesting way.

12. Lesson Plan Development Pattern

The “Lesson Plan Development Pattern” involves generating a bullet point outline based on a given topic and then expanding on selected bullet points. This pattern can help teachers in creating detailed lesson plans.

Format

To use this pattern, your instruction to the AI tool should include the following key elements:

State the Role: Start by stating the role of the AI tool. For example, “Act as a lesson plan developer…”
Generate an Outline: Ask the AI tool to generate a bullet point outline based on the input you give. For example, “…Generate a bullet point outline based on the topic ‘The Water Cycle’…”
Ask for Selection: Instruct the AI tool to ask you which bullet point it should expand on. For example, “…and then ask me which bullet point you should expand on.”
Expand on Selection: Ask the AI tool to create a new outline for the bullet point that you select.
Repeat the Process: Finally, ask the AI tool to repeat the process until the lesson plan is complete. For example, “…At the end, ask me what bullet point to expand next.”

Classroom Use Case

This pattern can be particularly useful in a classroom setting where teachers are planning lessons on a new topic. For instance, a science teacher could use this pattern to create a detailed lesson plan on ‘The Water Cycle’. The teacher could ask the AI tool, “Act as a lesson plan developer. Generate a bullet point outline based on the topic ‘The Water Cycle’ and then ask me which bullet point you should expand on.”

This pattern can be a powerful tool to assist teachers in lesson planning and ensure comprehensive coverage of the topic.

13. Question Improvement Pattern

The “Question Improvement Pattern” involves suggesting a more effective version of a question whenever a question is asked. This pattern can help teachers to formulate questions that are more engaging or better aligned with learning objectives.

Format

To use this pattern, your instruction to the AI tool should include the following key elements:

State the Rule: Start by stating the rule for the AI tool. For example, “From now on, whenever I ask a question…”
Ask for Improvement: Ask the AI tool to suggest a better version of the question. For example, “…suggest a more effective version of the question to use instead.”
Optional Confirmation (Optional): You can ask the AI tool to confirm if you would like to use the improved version. For example, “…and then ask me if I would like to use the improved version instead.”

Classroom Use Case

This pattern can be particularly useful in a classroom setting where teachers are creating quizzes or discussion questions. For example, a teacher could use this pattern to refine questions for a quiz. The teacher could ask the AI tool, “From now on, whenever I ask a question for the quiz, suggest a more effective version of the question to use instead.”

This pattern can be a powerful tool to assist teachers in formulating effective questions and enhancing student engagement in the classroom. 😊

14. Step-by-Step Guide Pattern

The “Step-by-Step Guide Pattern” involves providing a complete sequence of steps to achieve a task, filling in any missing steps, and identifying any unnecessary steps. This pattern can help teachers in creating detailed guides for classroom activities.

Format

To use this pattern, your instruction to the AI tool should include the following key elements:

State the Goal: Start by stating what you want to achieve. For example, “I would like to conduct a science experiment on topic X…”
Known Steps: List the steps that you already know need to be performed. For example, “…I know that I need to perform steps: gather materials, set up the experiment, and observe the results.”
Ask for Complete Steps: Ask the AI tool to provide a complete sequence of steps. For example, “…Provide a complete sequence of steps for me.”
Fill in Missing Steps: Ask the AI tool to fill in any missing steps.
Identify Unnecessary Steps (Optional): You can ask the AI tool to identify any unnecessary steps.

Remember to replace “X” with the specific topic you’re teaching.

Classroom Use Case

Classroom Use Case This pattern can be particularly useful in a classroom setting where teachers are planning classroom activities or experiments. For instance, a science teacher could use this pattern to create a step-by-step guide for a photosynthesis experiment. The teacher could ask the AI tool, “I would like to conduct a photosynthesis experiment. I know that I need to perform steps: gather materials, set up the experiment, and observe the results. Provide a complete sequence of steps for me.”

This pattern can be a powerful tool to assist teachers in planning and conducting classroom activities.

15. Information Filtering Pattern

The “Information Filtering Pattern” involves filtering information to remove specific elements. This pattern can help teachers in managing and presenting information effectively in the classroom.

Format

To use this pattern, your instruction to the AI tool should include the following key elements:

State the Filter: Start by stating what you want to filter out from the information. For example, “Filter this information to remove element X…”
Replace ‘X’: Replace “X” with the specific element you want to remove. This could be any irrelevant or sensitive information that you don’t want to include in your teaching materials.

Classroom Use Case

This pattern can be particularly useful in a classroom setting where teachers are dealing with a large amount of information. For instance, a history teacher could use this pattern to filter out irrelevant information from a historical text. The teacher could ask the AI tool, “Filter this historical text to remove any dates.”

This pattern can be a powerful tool to assist teachers in managing information and focusing on the key learning points in the classroom.

16. Summary and Next Step Pattern

The “Summary and Next Step Pattern” involves repeating a specific statement or asking for a specific action at the end of the output. This pattern can help teachers in summarizing key points and guiding the learning process.

Format

To use this pattern, your instruction to the AI tool should include the following key elements:

State the Rule: Start by stating the rule for the AI tool. For example, “At the end of each discussion point…”
Repeat Key Points: Ask the AI tool to repeat the key points. For example, “…repeat the key points…”
Ask for Next Topic: Finally, ask the AI tool to ask for the next topic. For example, “…and ask me for the next topic.”

Classroom Use Case

This pattern can be particularly useful in a classroom setting where teachers are guiding a class discussion. For instance, a teacher could use this pattern to guide a discussion on a historical event. The teacher could ask the AI tool, “At the end of each discussion point, repeat the key points and ask me for the next topic.”

This pattern can be a powerful tool to assist teachers in managing classroom discussions and ensuring comprehensive coverage of the topic.

17. Structured Learning Pattern

The “Structured Learning Pattern” involves providing a template for the AI tool’s output with specific placeholders for content. This pattern can help teachers in creating structured assignments or lessons.

Format

To use this pattern, your instruction to the AI tool should include the following key elements:

Provide a Template: Start by stating that you’re going to provide a template for the AI tool’s output. For example, “I am going to provide a template for your explanation…”
Identify the Placeholder: Specify what your placeholder for content is. For example, “…‘TOPIC’ is my placeholder for content.”
Fit the Output: Ask the AI tool to fit the output into one or more of the placeholders that you list.
Preserve the Template: Finally, ask the AI tool to preserve the formatting and overall template that you provide.

Remember to replace “TOPIC” with the specific topic you’re teaching.

Classroom Use Case

This pattern can be particularly useful in a classroom setting where teachers are creating structured assignments. For example, a teacher could use this pattern to create a structured essay assignment. The teacher could ask the AI tool, “I am going to provide a template for your essay. ‘INTRODUCTION’, ‘BODY’, and ‘CONCLUSION’ are my placeholders for content. Try to fit your essay into these placeholders.”

This pattern can be a powerful tool to assist teachers in creating structured and effective learning materials.

Now that we have a solid understanding of prompt engineering and its applications in education, let’s move on to the next section, where we’ll delve into the art and science of prompting in Microsoft 365 Copilot.

This will provide us with a practical example of how these principles are applied in a real-world AI system. Stay tuned! 🚀

Practical Tips for Implementing Prompts

Implementing prompts effectively in the classroom can significantly enhance the learning experience. Here are some practical tips for K–12 teachers on how to use prompts, incorporating the prompting patterns we discussed earlier and the principles of Microsoft 365 Copilot:

Understand Your Students

Understanding Your Students: Tailor your prompts to your students’ abilities, interests, and learning styles.

Prompt: “Based on the learning profiles of my 7th-grade students, suggest strategies to differentiate my instruction in our upcoming unit on the Civil War.”

So, what’s this all about? Well, it’s all about making sure we’re reaching every student in our classroom. We know our students are unique, right? They’ve got different strengths, interests, and ways they learn best. This prompt is all about embracing those differences.

Imagine you’ve got a class of 7th graders, and you’re about to start a unit on the Civil War. You’ve done your homework—you know your students’ reading levels, what gets them excited about learning, and what they already know about the Civil War.

Now, you’re looking for ways to make this unit resonate with every student. Maybe that means finding different reading materials for different reading levels. Or maybe it means shaking up your teaching strategies to connect with different learning styles. Or it could mean letting students show what they’ve learned in different ways.

That’s where this prompt comes in. It’s like asking a colleague in the teachers’ lounge, “Hey, based on what I know about my students, how can I tweak my Civil War unit to make sure it hits home for everyone?” But instead of a colleague, you’re asking Microsoft 365 Copilot.

Choosing the Right Prompt for the Moment

Timing of Prompts: Use recall prompts to reinforce recently learned material, process prompts to guide students through a task, and metacognitive prompts to encourage reflection after a task is completed.

Prompt: “After teaching my 3rd graders about the life cycle of a butterfly, suggest recall prompts I can use to reinforce their learning.”

Alright, teachers! Let’s talk about timing. You know how in comedy, timing is everything? Well, it turns out it’s pretty important in teaching, too. Especially when it comes to using prompts.

So, let’s say you’ve just wrapped up a lesson with your 3rd graders on the life cycle of a butterfly. You want to make sure that information sticks, right? That’s where recall prompts come in. They’re like little nudges to your students’ brains saying, “Hey, remember that cool stuff we just learned about butterflies? Let’s go over it again.”

But it’s not just about recall prompts. There are also process prompts to guide students through a task, and metacognitive prompts to get them reflecting after a task is done. It’s all about using the right prompt at the right time.

Introduce Prompts Gradually

Gradual Introduction of Prompts: Start with simpler prompts and gradually introduce more complex ones as students become more comfortable with the concept.

Prompt: “I’m introducing my 5th graders to fractions. Suggest a sequence of prompts that gradually increase in complexity to guide their understanding.”

By gradually increasing the complexity of the prompts, you’re scaffolding your students’ learning. You’re building their understanding piece by piece, making sure they’ve got a solid foundation before adding more to their knowledge.

So, next time you’re introducing a new concept, think about how you can use prompts to guide your students’ understanding. Start simple, and gradually up the ante. It’s a great way to make sure your students are comfortable and confident in their learning.

Adapting to Different Grade Levels with the “Understanding Your Students Pattern”

Understanding Your Students Pattern: Tailor your prompts to suit the grade level of your students.

Prompt: “Explain the concept of photosynthesis to me. Assume that I am a 2nd grader who loves superheroes.”

Imagine you’re trying to explain a complex concept like photosynthesis to your 2nd graders. You know, the process where plants turn sunlight into food? It’s a tough one, right? But what if we could make it more relatable for them?

That’s where this prompt comes in: “Explain the concept of photosynthesis to me. Assume that I am a 2nd grader who loves superheroes.” It’s like asking Microsoft 365 Copilot to help you explain photosynthesis in a way a 2nd grader who’s into superheroes would understand.

Maybe you could compare the sun to a superhero, giving plants the ‘superpower’ to make their own food. Or maybe the plant is the superhero, using its ‘powers’ to transform sunlight into energy.

The key here is to connect with your students on their level, using things they’re interested in to make learning more engaging. It’s a great way to make complex concepts more accessible and fun for your students. Hope this helps!

Fostering Creativity with the “Exploring Different Solutions Pattern”

Let’s chat about the “Exploring Different Solutions Pattern”. It’s all about encouraging our students to think outside the box and come up with multiple solutions to a problem.

Prompt: “If there are alternative ways to solve this algebraic equation, list the best alternate approaches. Compare/contrast the pros and cons of each approach.”

Imagine you’re teaching algebra and you’ve got an equation on the board. Now, we all know there’s usually more than one way to solve an equation, right? That’s where this prompt comes in: “If there are alternative ways to solve this algebraic equation, list the best alternate approaches. Compare/contrast the pros and cons of each approach.”

It’s like asking your students to put on their detective hats and come up with different ways to crack the case. Maybe one approach is quicker but requires a solid understanding of a particular concept. Another approach might be longer but it’s more straightforward.

By asking for multiple solutions, we’re not just teaching our students how to solve a problem. We’re teaching them how to think critically, how to weigh the pros and cons, and how to choose the best approach for them. And that’s a skill that will serve them well beyond the classroom.

Engaging Students with the “Seeking Student Input Pattern”

“Seeking Student Input Pattern” is all about getting your students involved. You’re not just the one asking questions – your students are, too!

Prompt: “From now on, generate a series of questions based on the key points in this history lesson. Ask me for the first key point.”

Take this prompt for example: “From now on, generate a series of questions based on the key points in this history lesson. Ask me for the first key point.” This isn’t just about getting answers. It’s about getting your students to think about what questions to ask. It’s about making them a part of the learning process.

By using this prompt, you’re encouraging your students to think about what they’ve learned and come up with their own questions.

It’s a great way to get them thinking more deeply about the material. And who knows? They might just surprise you with the insightful questions they come up with. Keep up the great work, educators!

Reinforcing Learning through the “Key Facts Summary Pattern”

Let’s dive into the “Key Facts Summary Pattern”. It’s like a recap at the end of a lesson, but with a twist.

Prompt: “After teaching my 4th graders about the states of matter, generate a fact checklist that they can use to review the key points.”

Here’s an example: “After teaching my 4th graders about the states of matter, generate a fact checklist that they can use to review the key points.” This isn’t just a summary of the lesson. It’s a tool for your students to actively engage with what they’ve learned.

By creating a fact checklist, your students are doing more than just remembering the lesson. They’re organizing their thoughts, identifying key points, and reinforcing their understanding. It’s like they’re building their own study guide!

So, next time you wrap up a lesson, why not try this out? Ask your students to create a fact checklist. It’s a great way to reinforce learning and engage your students in the process. Keep up the great work, teachers!

Empowering Students with the “Interactive Learning Pattern”

Alright, teachers! Let’s talk about the “Interactive Learning Pattern”. This one’s all about turning the tables and getting your students to ask the questions.

Prompt: “I would like you to ask me questions to help me create a study guide for my high school biology students. Ask me for the first topic to include.”

Here’s an example: “I would like you to ask me questions to help me create a study guide for my high school biology students. Ask me for the first topic to include.” This isn’t just about getting answers. It’s about getting your students to think about what questions to ask. It’s about making them a part of the learning process.

By using this prompt, you’re encouraging your students to take charge of their learning. They’re not just passive recipients of information. They’re active participants, asking questions, seeking answers, and driving their own learning.

So, next time you’re creating a study guide, why not try this out? Get your students involved in the process. You might be surprised at the insightful questions they come up with. Keep up the great work, educators!

Making Learning Fun with the “Educational Game Pattern”

“Educational Game Pattern” is all about adding a dash of fun to learning. It’s like turning your classroom into a playground!

Prompt: “Create a phonics game for my 1st-grade class. The game should involve identifying the beginning sounds of words and increase the score every time a student gets one right.”

Consider this example: “Create a phonics game for my 1st-grade class. The game should involve identifying the beginning sounds of words and increase the score every time a student gets one right.” This isn’t just a lesson, it’s a game! And who doesn’t love a good game?

This prompt is all about transforming a regular phonics lesson into an exciting game. Your students aren’t just learning about sounds, they’re also playing a game where they earn points for correct answers. It’s a win-win!

So, why not add a little fun to your next lesson? With the “Educational Game Pattern”, you can turn learning into an adventure. Keep up the great work, educators!

Enhancing Reading Skills with the “Information Filtering Pattern”

Let’s take a look at the “Information Filtering Pattern”. This strategy is all about helping students to zero in on the most important information.

Prompt: “Filter this historical text to remove any dates. This will help my 9th-grade students focus on understanding the key events and concepts.”

Here’s a scenario: “Filter this historical text to remove any dates. This will help my 9th-grade students focus on understanding the key events and concepts.” The goal here isn’t just to read a text, but to truly understand it. Sometimes, that means we need to remove some details to see the bigger picture.

With this prompt, you’re guiding your students to develop a crucial skill: the ability to filter out irrelevant information. It’s like equipping them with a special lens that highlights the essential points.

So, the next time you find your students grappling with a complex text, why not give this strategy a try? It could be a game-changer in helping them understand and remember key concepts. Keep inspiring, educators!

Summarizing Lessons with the “Summary and Next Step Pattern”

Let’s revisit the “Summary and Next Step Pattern”. This strategy is about keeping the AI, like Copilot, on track with your topic.

Prompt: “Act as an outline expander. Generate a bullet point outline based on the input that I give you and then ask me for which bullet point you should expand on. Create a new outline for the bullet point that I select. At the end, ask me for what bullet point to expand next.”

For instance, let’s say you’re creating an outline. You could use: “Act as an outline expander. Generate a bullet point outline based on the input that I give you and then ask me for which bullet point you should expand on. Create a new outline for the bullet point that I select. At the end, ask me for what bullet point to expand next.”

Or, if you’re writing and want a reminder about fact-checking, you could use: “From now on, at the end of your output, add the disclaimer ‘This output was generated by a large language model and may contain errors or inaccurate statements. All statements should be fact checked.’ Ask me for the first thing to write about.”

So, the “Summary and Next Step Pattern” is a great way to keep the AI focused on your topic. It’s like leaving breadcrumbs for the AI to follow. Keep guiding the learning journey, educators!

Guiding Student Work with the “Structured Learning Pattern”

let’s explore a fresh take on the “Structured Learning Pattern”. This strategy is about providing a clear structure or a blueprint for the AI’s output, which can be incredibly useful for both students and teachers.

Prompt: “I’m going to provide a template for a lesson plan on the solar system. ‘OBJECTIVES’, ‘MATERIALS’, ‘PROCEDURE’, and ‘ASSESSMENT’ are my placeholders for content. Try to fit your lesson plan into these placeholders.”

For instance, imagine you’re a teacher planning a science lesson on the solar system. You could use a prompt like this: “I’m going to provide a template for a lesson plan on the solar system. ‘OBJECTIVES’, ‘MATERIALS’, ‘PROCEDURE’, and ‘ASSESSMENT’ are my placeholders for content. Try to fit your lesson plan into these placeholders.”

This prompt is all about giving you a clear roadmap for your lesson plan. You have a defined structure to follow which includes objectives, materials, procedure, and assessment. This not only helps you organize your thoughts but also ensures you cover all the necessary parts of a lesson plan.

So, when you’re planning your next lesson, why not provide a template? It could be a game-changer in helping you structure your thoughts and plan more effectively. Keep empowering your students, educators!

Conclusion

Prompt engineering holds immense potential to transform classroom instruction, making learning more engaging, interactive, and effective. By leveraging different prompting patterns, teachers can create a dynamic and responsive learning environment that caters to the diverse needs of their students.

Remember, the art of crafting prompts is not a one-size-fits-all approach. It requires experimentation, creativity, and a deep understanding of your students. Don’t be afraid to try different prompting patterns and see what works best for your classroom.

Moreover, continually refine your prompting practice based on student feedback and outcomes. Your students are your best guide. Their responses can provide valuable insights into their understanding and help you tailor your prompts to their learning needs.

In the end, the goal of prompt engineering is not just to teach but to inspire a love for learning. So embrace the journey, learn from each experience, and watch as your classroom transforms into a vibrant learning community.

Thank you for joining us on this exploration of prompt engineering. We hope you find it informative and inspiring. Remember, every great journey begins with a single step. So, take that step today and start experimenting with prompt engineering in your classroom. Good luck and happy teaching! 🍎

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