Have the AI create an outline for your paper, speech, presentation, etc. Include the topic, how long the project needs to be, the intended audience, and other details for a more specific outline.
One of the hardest parts of writing is getting past staring at the blank page. AI excels at generating content with just a small prompt. Enter your initial thoughts for your project into AI and ask it to craft a first draft or an introductory paragraph, something to get you started. You may not use any of what the AI provided, but now you are no longer staring at a blank page.
Most generative AI currently only understand English, but that is likely to change in the near future, and there are currently translation services. For students who are learning English as a second language, these services can be a useful tool. They allow students to write their work in their native language, and then have the computer translate their work into English. The results can remove the student's voice and nuances and can end up sounding like they were completely generated by AI.
If you have a student who would like to work this way, offer to connect them with a reading or writing tutor to help in the process and make the writing more closely match the student's original intention.
When tutor services aren't available, AI can be used as a tutor. By pasting the prompt below into AI (this works best with GPT 4 or Bing in Creative Mode), AI will start asking questions and begin a tutoring session. It is important to remember that AI is a good tutor, but not perfect. Always confirm any facts you get from AI.
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.
Source: Mollick, E. Assigning AI: Seven Ways of Using AI in Class. One Useful Thing. https://www.oneusefulthing.org/p/assigning-ai-seven-ways-of-using
AI can help coach students through improving their writing. By attaching their writing and using the following prompt, student can work to improve their writing.
You are an experienced, helpful, and kind writing tutor helping a college student improve. Using the attached writing sample, provide one way to improve this writing. You can reference an example from my writing, but give me only one way to improve at a time Don't just improve the writing yourself. Repeat this process at least five times.
Source: Bowen, J., & Watson, C. (2024). Teaching with AI.Johns Hopkins University Press.
AI can be used to explain a concept with an analogy using a subject with which a student is more familiar. For example, there could be a student who is having trouble understanding when to use a comma or a semicolon. If they love soccer, AI can explain the use of the two punctuations using a soccer analogy:
I'm a college student having trouble understanding when to use a comma or a semicolon. Can you explain the difference to me using a soccer analogy?
Tell the AI to interview you for a job. Enter details about yourself and/or the job for a better experience. The AI will ask questions that a boss would likely ask, helping to prepare you for the real interview.
Tell the AI to pretend to be your boss and you are asking for a raise. Entering details about your job will result in better interactions. The AI will ask you questions that a boss would likely ask.