Fundamentals of Prompt Engineering in Education

This self-paced, online course introduces university faculty to the principles of crafting effective prompts in AI tools for enhancing both teaching and learning experiences.

Module Outline

Course Description: The Fundamentals of Prompt Engineering in Education online course is one of the self-paced online courses developed under the UNG-DETI's AI in Learning Certification Program as a professional development opportunity designed to equip UNG faculty with essential knowledge and skills to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into their teaching practices.
Course Objectives:
By the end of this course, the participant will be able to:
CO1. define and analyze the essential components of a well-constructed prompt—including instructions, context, input data, and output indicators—to develop prompts that enhance student engagement, critical thinking, and effective communication.
CO2. identify and apply various types of educational prompts—such as instructional, reflective, creative writing, problem-solving, discussion, analytical, project-based learning, and critical thinking prompts—to align with specific teaching goals and learning objectives.
CO3: utilize a structured framework for designing well-constructed prompts by integrating key elements such as task definition, content and context, format and structure, examples and demonstrations, and refinement processes to optimize student learning and comprehension.
CO4. evaluate the ethical considerations of prompt engineering in education, addressing fairness, transparency, inclusivity, and potential biases in AI-generated responses, while developing strategies for responsible AI use in prompt creation and application..

Module 1- Understanding Prompts and Building Blocks of a Well-Constructed Prompt

Module 1 will define what a prompt is and explore the essential components that make up a well-constructed prompt. By breaking down the key building blocks—instructions, context, input data, and output indicators—learners will gain a deeper understanding of how to craft prompts that guide and inspire meaningful responses.

By the end of this module, the participants will be able to:

  • Learning Objective 1 - LO1: define what a prompt is and explain its role in guiding student responses (CO1).
  • Learning Objective 2 - LO2: identify the key building blocks of a well-constructed prompt, including instructions, context, input data , and output indicators (CO1).
  • Learning Objective 3 - LO3: analyze the importance of each building block in creating clear, effective, and purposeful prompts (CO1).
  • Learning Objective 4 - LO4: construct well-structured prompts that include each of the essential building blocks, tailored to specific learning outcomes (CO1).
  • Learning Objective 5 - LO5: evaluate the effectiveness of a prompt based on how well it aligns with instructional goals and engages students (CO1).
  • Learning Objective 6 - LO6: apply knowledge of prompt construction to design prompts that foster critical thinking and meaningful student interaction (CO1). 

Module 2- Types of Prompts in Education

Module 2 will explore the various types of prompts commonly used in educational settings to foster student engagement, critical thinking, and creativity.

By the end of this module, the participants will be able to:

  • Learning Objective 7- LO7: classify and compare various types of prompts, including instructional, reflective, creative writing, problem-solving, discussion, analytical, project-based learning, and critical thinking prompts (CO2).
  • Learning Objective 8-LO8: explain the purpose of each prompt type and how it fosters specific learning outcomes, such as engagement, critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills (CO2).
  • Learning Objective 9-LO9: choose and design appropriate prompts based on specific teaching goals, course content, and the needs of students in different educational contexts (e.g., K-12, higher education, and online learning environments) (CO2).
  • Learning Objective 10-LO10: create effective prompts that encourage thoughtful student responses in both written and oral formats, including group discussions and individual assignments (CO2).
  • Learning Objective 11-LO11: assess the role of prompts in facilitating active learning, deep thinking, and emotional engagement within a variety of educational settings (CO2).
  • Learning Objective 12-LO12: integrate multimedia elements into prompts where appropriate, enhancing the learning experience and encouraging diverse forms of student expression (CO2).

Module 3- Constructing Effective Prompts for Educational Success

Module 3 will explore a structured framework for writing well-constructed prompts that align with educational objectives. Educators will learn how to apply key components—such as task definition, content and context, format and structure, examples and demonstrations, and refinement processes—to create prompts that guide student learning effectively.

By the end of this module, the participants will be able to:

  • Learning Objective 13 - LO13: describe the essential elements of a structured prompt framework in an educational context.
  • Learning Objective 14 - LO14: differentiate between various prompt frameworks, including those for writing, problem-solving, and analytical tasks.
  • Learning Objective 15 - LO15: apply a systematic approach to crafting prompts by integrating task definition, content and context, format and structure, examples, and refinement strategies.
  • Learning Objective 16 - LO16: design well-structured prompts that align with specific learning objectives and encourage meaningful student responses.
  • Learning Objective 17 - LO17: assess the effectiveness of prompts by evaluating clarity, engagement, and alignment with educational goals.
  • Learning Objective 18 - LO18: revise and refine prompts based on student feedback and learning outcomes to improve instructional effectiveness.

Module 4- Ethical Considerations in Prompt Engineering

This module will explore the ethical dimensions of prompt engineering—the process of crafting inputs that guide AI-generated content—with a focus on fairness, transparency, and equity.

By the end of this module, the participants will be able to:

  • Learning Objective 19 - LO19: analyze ethical challenges related to AI-generated prompts, including bias, fairness, and transparency in educational settings.
  • Learning Objective 20 - LO20: evaluate how different prompt designs can impact student engagement, inclusivity, and equitable learning opportunities.
  • Learning Objective 21 - LO21: apply ethical principles to create AI-driven prompts that promote fairness and minimize unintended biases.
  • Learning Objective 22 - LO22: critique examples of AI-generated content to identify potential ethical concerns and areas for improvement.
  • Learning Objective 23 - LO23: develop strategies to ensure transparency in prompt design and responsible AI use in diverse learning environments.