Using Copilot to create class content can be a game-changer for secondary school teachers. However, the effectiveness of this tool hinges on the specificity and detail of the prompts provided. Detailed prompts ensure that the generated content is tailored to the teacher’s needs, saving time and enhancing the quality of educational materials.
Why do specific prompts matter?
- Relevance: Detailed prompts help Co-Pilot understand the exact requirements, ensuring the generated content is relevant to the curriculum and the students’ learning levels.
- Quality: Specific instructions lead to higher-quality outputs, reducing the need for extensive edits and modifications.
- Efficiency: Clear prompts streamline the content creation process, allowing teachers to focus more on teaching and less on preparation.
Examples of Good vs. Poor Prompts
- Prompt: “Create a lesson plan for world war I history.” – This prompt is too vague. It doesn’t specify the class level, topic, or type of activities needed.
- Good Prompt: “Create a 60-minute lesson plan for 3rd year junior cycle history on the causes of World War I. Include a 10-minute lecture, a 15-minute group activity, a 10-minute video, and a 25-minute quiz with 10 multiple-choice questions.” – This prompt is detailed and specific, providing clear instructions on the content, structure, and duration of each activity.
Conclusion
Using specific and detailed prompts when utilising Copilot for creating class content ensures that the materials are relevant, high-quality, and efficient. By investing a little extra time in crafting precise prompts, teachers can significantly enhance their productivity and the learning experience of their students.
For more check out Five quick prompting tips to get more from your AI assistant on the Microsoft Education Blog