Library

artificial intelligence


  • Simple guide to writing effective AI prompts

    Generative AI is sometimes touted as a potential solution to some of the administrative tasks that keep us from the creative work we find most meaningful. However, getting language models to understand and execute on these tasks requires writing effective AI prompts. In this video I describe a simple framework for prompt writing that can…

  • Use generative AI to create MCQs from a slideshow

    In this video, I demonstrate the value of generative AI to create multiple-choice questions (MCQs) from a slideshow presentation. This innovative approach streamlines the process of generating assessments or short quizzes for the classroom and can be a valuable tool to save you time. Creating effective assessments, such as multiple-choice questions (MCQs), is a time-consuming…

  • Precise AI prompts lead to better outputs

    Precise AI prompts lead to contextually relevant, clear, and comprehensive outputs. Vague AI prompts lead to vague outputs One of the more common complaints I hear from my colleagues who have experimented with generative AI is the perceived generic or vague nature of the responses they get. And this frustration often stems from a misunderstanding…

  • Non-academic prompts for generative AI

    Experiment with non-academic prompts for generative AI, to sidestep concerns about plagiarism and academic integrity. There is too much noise about the potential of generative AI to support cheating and plagiarism. Which is why I wanted to share few examples of low-stakes experiments for anyone interested in generative AI but who is nervous about getting…

  • Generative AI and writing first drafts

    Generative AI is a great way to get started writing your first drafts. I like to think that I’m a decent writer and that I do a reasonable job of putting one word after the other. But that doesn’t mean I find it easy to put words on the page. Far from it. Writing is…

  • Using conversational and structured AI prompts

    Using both conversational and structured AI prompts can lead to more confident task delegation, which enhances academic productivity. Well-crafted prompts are key to unlocking the full potential of large language models (LLMs) and AI assistants for academic productivity. Just as clear communication is crucial when working with people, learning to write effective prompts allows you…

  • Getting started with generative AI

    A few basic ideas and prompts to start experimenting with language models. At this point, it seems reasonable to assume that almost everyone has heard about the threat to assessment that’s posed by ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity, and all the other language models that are becoming available. However, it’s less clear how they might impact…