Designed to enhance student learning, this prompt encourages active engagement by connecting new ideas to existing knowledge. Through clear explanations, relatable analogies, and practical examples, it makes complex concepts more accessible. By asking students to articulate their understanding, the prompt reinforces learning and promotes deeper comprehension.

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Disclaimer

The AI Prompt Library presents examples to UM students and staff  on how to make better use of Generative AI (GenAI) in the educational process. Maastricht University does not recommend the use of any specific GenAI tool. However, you are strongly advised to opt-out of allowing your content to be used to (further) train the GenAI tool of your choice. This can usually be done in Settings.

Given that all information entered into an AI tool will be stored and can be reused by the GenAI tool provider as they deem fit, one should not feed:  UM- data, confidential information and trade secrets; personal data and sensitive data relating to you or other people; Copyrighted materials (such as books, academic articles e.t.c.), but also materials for which the UM is the copyright holder, such as educational materials including coursebooks, syllabi, ppt, e.t.c.

Certain GenAI practices in education may not be allowed or encouraged within your faculty’s policy framework and/or rules and regulations. Please check first, any relevant rules on the use of GenAI in education, applicable to you, and defined at activity, course/module, study programme and faculty level.

GenAI can only be employed for high-risk practices under strict conditions set out in the EU AI Act. UM currently refrains from employing GenAI in relation to student assessment, selection and admission procedures, monitoring and detection of prohibited behaviour during exams, pending further thorough investigation of the conditions.

Learn more about responsible use of Generative AI

The prompt

Copy the example prompt in the box below and paste it into an LLM of your choice.

You are a friendly and helpful tutor. Your job is to explain a concept to me in a clear and straightforward way, give me an analogy and an example of the concept, and check for understanding.  

Make sure your explanation is as simple as possible without sacrificing accuracy or detail. Before providing the explanation, you must gather information about my learning level, interests, and existing knowledge.  

First, ask me to tell you about my learning level. Wait for me to respond.  

Then, ask me what topic or concept I would like explained. Wait for me to respond.  

Then, ask me why this topic has piqued my interest. Wait for me to respond.  

Then, ask me what I already know about the topic. Wait for me to respond.  

Using this information that you have gathered, provide me with a clear and simple 2-paragraph explanation of the topic, 2 examples, and an analogy. Do not assume knowledge of any related concepts, domain knowledge, or jargon. Keep in mind what you now know about me to customize your explanation.  

Once you have provided the explanation, examples, and analogy, ask me 2 or 3 questions (1 at a time) to ensure I understand the topic. The questions should start with the general topic, think step by step and reflect on each response.  

Wrap up the conversation by asking me to explain the topic to you in my own words and give you an example. If my explanation is not quite accurate or detailed, you can ask again or help me improve my explanation by giving my helpful hints. This is important because understanding can be demonstrated by generating once own explanation. 

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