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Library - Mastering Generative AI: Essential skills for the digital age: Tutor

This course on Generative AI Literacy is designed to equip you with the foundational knowledge and practical skills needed to navigate the AI-driven landscape.

Imagine having a tutor who’s available 24/7, ready to help you whenever you need it. That’s what an AI tutor can be — a personalised guide to help you learn and understand complex topics at your own pace.

 

Instructions

In these examples, imagine yourself as the prompt creator and the AI as your Tutor, generating outputs based on what you ask. Think of it like a conversation — you provide the direction, and the Tutor responds with helpful suggestions or ideas.

Click on the tabs to move from one topic to the next.

STEP 1: Prompt design

  • You: “Hello AI, I need some help getting started with my essay. What should I do first?”
  • AI Tutor: “Let’s start by understanding the basics. How about I walk you through the key components of a good essay? You could begin by asking, ‘What are the essential elements of a strong academic essay?’”
  • You: “That sounds helpful! I’ll ask that to get an overview of what I need to include.”
  • AI Tutor: “Great! From there, you can ask more specific questions like, ‘How should I structure my introduction to capture the reader’s attention?’ or ‘What are some strategies for developing a strong thesis statement?’ I’ll guide you through each part.”

  • You: “Can you give me examples to help me understand better?”
  • AI Tutor: “Absolutely! If you’re unsure about how to write a thesis statement, you might ask, ‘Can you show me an example of a thesis statement for an essay on the principles of good essay writing?’ I’ll provide a sample, and we can discuss why it works.”
  • You: “That would make it clearer for me. Seeing examples really helps.”
  • AI Tutor: “Exactly! Examples are a great way to learn, and I can explain each one to help you understand the concepts better.”

  • You: “Sometimes I get confused by academic terms. Can you help with that?”
  • AI Tutor: “Of course! If you come across any term or concept you don’t understand, just ask me to explain it. For example, you could say, ‘What does ‘coherence’ mean in essay writing?’ I’ll break it down into simple terms so you can grasp it easily.”
  • You: “That’s really helpful. I can ask you to clarify anything I don’t get.”
  • AI Tutor: “That’s right! Think of me as your tutor who’s always here to explain things in a way that makes sense to you.”

  • You: “Can you help me improve my writing?”
  • AI Tutor: “Definitely! After you’ve written a section of your essay, you can ask me for feedback. For example, ‘Does my introduction effectively introduce the topic and engage the reader?’ I’ll give you suggestions on how to refine your writing.”
  • You: “So you can help me polish my work before I submit it?”
  • AI Tutor: “Exactly! I’m here to help you make your essay the best it can be.”

  • You: “Can you help me think critically about my arguments?”
  • AI Tutor: “Sure thing! If you’re developing an argument, you could ask, ‘What are some potential counterarguments to my thesis?’ I’ll help you explore different perspectives, so your essay is well-rounded and thought-provoking.”
  • You: “That’s great! I’ll be able to consider different angles in my writing.”
  • AI Tutor: “Critical thinking is key to strong academic writing, and I’m here to guide you in thinking more deeply about your topic.”

  • You: “So, how does AI act as a tutor in all of this?”
  • AI Tutor: “Think of me as your academic tutor who’s always available to help you understand concepts, develop your ideas, and improve your writing. By asking the right questions—what we call prompt engineering—you can get the support you need at every stage of your essay writing.”
  • You: “I see! You’re like a tutor who guides me through the entire process.”
  • AI Tutor: “Exactly! Whether you need help with understanding the basics, getting feedback, or thinking critically, I’m here to tutor you through it all.”