Reclaiming Teacher Time: The Power of Prompt Enhancing in Modern Classrooms

In classrooms across America, teachers are facing an unprecedented squeeze. Expected to do more with less, educators find themselves caught in a vicious cycle of increasing demands and dwindling resources. The pressure to create engaging, thought-provoking lessons that meet ever-rising standards often spills over into evenings and weekends, turning what should be personal time into unpaid work hours. This encroachment on teachers’ lives is so pervasive that educators have become the largest group of professionals subjected to wage theft in the United States.

Amidst this challenging landscape, the need for efficient, effective tools to support lesson planning and instruction has never been greater. Enter Prompt Enhancing – a powerful technique that promises to help teachers reclaim some of their precious time while simultaneously elevating the quality of their lessons.

Prompt Enhancing is the art of transforming simple questions into rich, multi-layered inquiries that stimulate critical thinking and deeper engagement. This approach aligns perfectly with educational goals like reaching Webb’s Depth of Knowledge Level 4 (DOK4), but traditionally, crafting such prompts has been a time-intensive process. Now, with the aid of one’s favourite AI-powered tools, teachers can quickly generate thought-provoking questions that challenge students to think more deeply and critically about the subject matter.

The beauty of Prompt Enhancing lies in its efficiency. In mere minutes, a basic prompt can be expanded into a complex, nuanced question that encourages students to:

1. Analyse information from multiple perspectives

2. Make connections across disciplines

3. Apply knowledge to real-world scenarios

4. Engage in higher-order thinking skills

For time-strapped teachers, this technique offers a lifeline. It allows them to create high-quality, engaging content without sacrificing hours of personal time. Moreover, by fostering deeper classroom discussions and more meaningful assignments, Prompt Enhancing can make the time spent in class more productive and rewarding for both teachers and students.

As we explore this topic further, we’ll delve into practical applications of Prompt Enhancing across various subjects, examine how it can streamline lesson planning, and discuss strategies for implementing this approach efficiently. In a world where teachers are constantly asked to do more with less, Prompt Enhancing emerges as a valuable tool for reclaiming time while enhancing educational quality.

Some quick examples

Prompt Enhancing is a versatile technique that can be applied across various subjects to deepen student engagement and critical thinking. By transforming basic questions into multi-layered inquiries, teachers can create rich learning experiences that challenge students to think more deeply and make meaningful connections. Let’s explore how this approach can be applied in Algebra II, World History, and English Literature.

In Algebra II, a standard word problem might ask: "Solve the quadratic equation: x^2 + 5x + 6 = 0." Using Prompt Enhancing, we can transform this into a more engaging and thought-provoking question: “A rectangular garden has a perimeter of 26 feet. If its length is 3 feet longer than its width, and the area can be expressed as x^2 + 5x + 6 = 0, determine the dimensions of the garden. How would changing the perimeter affect the solution? Explore how this quadratic equation might represent real-world scenarios in architecture or engineering, and discuss the practical implications of having two possible solutions in such contexts.”

For World History, focusing on the Russian Revolution, a basic prompt might be: “Describe the causes of the Russian Revolution.” An enhanced version could ask: “Analyse the complex interplay of social, economic, and political factors that led to the Russian Revolution of 1917. Compare and contrast the perspectives of different social classes - peasants, workers, intellectuals, and the nobility. How did external events, such as World War I, catalyse internal tensions? Evaluate the roles of key figures like Tsar Nicholas II, Lenin, and Trotsky in both precipitating and shaping the revolution. If you were a contemporary Russian citizen from a specific social class, how might you have viewed these events, and what actions might you have taken? Consider how the revolution’s causes and outcomes might inform our understanding of modern political movements and social upheavals.”

In English Literature, studying “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” by Martin Luther King Jr., a standard question might be: “Summarise the main arguments in King’s letter.” A Prompt Enhanced version could explore: “Examine the rhetorical strategies employed by Martin Luther King Jr. in his ‘Letter from a Birmingham Jail.’ How does King use ethos, pathos, and logos to construct his argument? Analyse his use of allusions, both biblical and historical, and discuss how these references strengthen his message. Compare King’s approach to civil disobedience with other historical instances of nonviolent resistance. How does King’s letter speak to the tension between law and justice? Considering the letter’s context and intended audience, evaluate its effectiveness in addressing the criticisms of the clergymen. If you were to write a response to King’s letter from the perspective of one of the clergymen he addresses, what counterarguments might you present, and how would you address King’s points? Finally, reflect on the relevance of King's arguments to contemporary social justice movements.”

These enhanced prompts demonstrate how Prompt Enhancing can transform straightforward questions into rich, multifaceted inquiries that encourage students to engage more deeply with the material. By incorporating elements of analysis, comparison, real-world application, and personal reflection, these prompts push students towards higher levels of critical thinking. They also provide opportunities for differentiation, allowing teachers to adjust the complexity of responses based on individual student needs. Through this approach, educators can create more dynamic and meaningful learning experiences across diverse subject areas, all while potentially streamlining their lesson planning process.

Let’s see it in action

Whilst it’s true that standard AI responses to prompts often provide rich and detailed information, the use of Prompt Enhancement techniques ensures a level of depth and complexity that consistently reaches DOK Level 4. This highest level of cognitive complexity requires students to extend their thinking beyond the given information, engaging in tasks such as synthesising ideas, designing experiments, critiquing perspectives, and creating novel solutions.

Standard AI responses, whilst informative, may not always push learners to this advanced level of thinking. They might cover DOK Levels 1-3, involving recall, skill application, and strategic thinking. However, Prompt Enhancement deliberately structures questions to demand the type of extended thinking characteristic of DOK 4.

By incorporating elements like real-world problem-solving, interdisciplinary connections, multiple perspectives, and hypothetical scenarios, enhanced prompts guide students towards more sophisticated cognitive processes. This approach ensures that learners are not just consuming information, but are actively engaged in high-level analysis, evaluation, and creation. Consequently, Prompt Enhancement becomes a powerful tool for educators aiming to consistently challenge their students at the highest levels of cognitive demand.

To trigger the Prompt Enhancer AI, here’s a prompt that you could use to let the LLM know what you’re after:

Prompt: “Act as a Prompt Enhancer AI that takes user-input prompts and transforms them into more engaging, detailed, and thought-provoking questions. Describe the process you follow to enhance a prompt, the types of improvements you make, and share an example of how you'd turn a simple, one-sentence prompt into an enriched, multi-layered question that encourages deeper thinking and more insightful responses.”

Claude 3.5 Sonnet: As a Prompt Enhancer AI, I follow a systematic process to transform simple prompts into more engaging and thought-provoking questions. Here's an overview of my approach:

1. Analyze the core concept: I identify the main topic or idea in the original prompt.

2. Expand the scope: I consider related subtopics, implications, and broader contexts.

3. Add layers of complexity: I incorporate elements that encourage critical thinking, such as comparisons, hypotheticals, or historical perspectives.

4. Introduce multiple angles: I frame the question to explore various viewpoints or stakeholder perspectives.

5. Incorporate relevant details: I add specific examples, data points, or scenarios to ground the question in concrete terms.

6. Ensure open-endedness: I structure the question to invite diverse responses and avoid simple yes/no answers.

7. Polish language: I refine the wording to be clear, engaging, and thought-provoking.

Types of improvements I make:

- Adding context and background information

- Introducing elements of comparison or contrast

- Incorporating cause-and-effect considerations

- Suggesting hypothetical scenarios

- Encouraging personal reflection or real-world application

- Integrating interdisciplinary perspectives

Example:

Original prompt: "What are the effects of social media?"

Enhanced version:

"In an era where social media platforms have become integral to daily life, how have they reshaped human interaction, information dissemination, and societal norms? Consider both the positive impacts, such as increased connectivity and democratization of information, alongside potential drawbacks like privacy concerns and the spread of misinformation. How might these effects differ across generations or cultures? Additionally, envision a hypothetical future where a new technology supersedes current social media - what lessons from the social media era should inform the development and regulation of this new technology? Reflect on your personal experiences with social media and how they align with or differ from broader societal trends."

This enhanced version expands the scope, adds layers of complexity, introduces multiple perspectives, and encourages personal reflection, transforming a simple question into a multi-faceted exploration of the topic.

ChatGPT 4.o: As a Prompt Enhancer AI, my role is to take simple, straightforward prompts and transform them into more engaging, detailed, and thought-provoking questions. The goal is to encourage deeper thinking and more insightful responses by adding layers of complexity, context, and intrigue to the original prompt.

### Process of Enhancing a Prompt

1. **Understand the Original Prompt**: Grasp the core idea or intent behind the user's prompt. This involves identifying the main topic, the type of response expected, and any underlying questions.

2. **Add Context**: Provide background information or context that situates the question in a broader framework. This can include historical, social, or cultural references that make the question more relevant and engaging.

3. **Incorporate Specificity**: Make the question more specific by adding details or narrowing the focus. This helps in eliciting more precise and thoughtful responses.

4. **Introduce Multiple Layers**: Include sub-questions or related aspects that encourage the respondent to think about the topic from different angles. This can involve asking about causes, effects, implications, or personal perspectives.

5. **Encourage Critical Thinking**: Frame the question in a way that challenges the respondent to analyze, evaluate, and synthesize information rather than just recalling facts.

6. **Promote Personal Connection**: Relate the question to the respondent's experiences, beliefs, or opinions, making it more engaging and relevant on a personal level.

### Types of Improvements

- **Depth**: Adding layers of complexity and encouraging exploration of various dimensions of the topic.

- **Breadth**: Expanding the scope to include different perspectives or related topics.

- **Relevance**: Connecting the question to current events, trends, or personal experiences.

- **Engagement**: Using language and structure that capture interest and provoke curiosity.

### Example Transformation

**Original Prompt**:

"How does social media affect mental health?"

**Enhanced Prompt**:

"In today's digitally connected world, social media platforms have become an integral part of daily life. Considering the significant amount of time individuals spend on these platforms, how do you think social media impacts mental health across different age groups? What are some of the positive and negative effects observed, and how do these vary between teenagers, young adults, and older adults? Additionally, how do you believe the design and algorithms of social media platforms contribute to these mental health outcomes? Reflecting on your own experiences or observations, what strategies can individuals and communities employ to mitigate the negative effects while enhancing the positive aspects of social media use?"

### Breakdown of the Enhanced Prompt

1. **Contextual Introduction**: "In today's digitally connected world, social media platforms have become an integral part of daily life."

2. **Specific Focus**: "How do you think social media impacts mental health across different age groups?"

3. **Detailed Exploration**: "What are some of the positive and negative effects observed, and how do these vary between teenagers, young adults, and older adults?"

4. **Critical Analysis**: "How do you believe the design and algorithms of social media platforms contribute to these mental health outcomes?"

5. **Personal Connection and Solutions**: "Reflecting on your own experiences or observations, what strategies can individuals and communities employ to mitigate the negative effects while enhancing the positive aspects of social media use?"

By following this process and making these types of improvements, I can transform simple prompts into enriched, multi-layered questions that foster deeper thinking and more insightful discussions.

Follow Up Prompt: “enhance this prompt in a similar fashion: why do autistic self-advocates favour the Power Threat Meaning Framework (PTMF) over the medical and social models of disability?”

Claude 3.5 Sonnet: Here's an enhanced version of the prompt:

"Explore the nuanced perspectives of autistic self-advocates regarding disability models, focusing on their preference for the Power Threat Meaning Framework (PTMF) over traditional medical and social models. How does the PTMF's emphasis on lived experiences and societal power dynamics resonate with the autistic community's push for neurodiversity acceptance?

Consider the limitations of the medical model's focus on 'fixing' individuals and the social model's emphasis on societal barriers. How does the PTMF address these shortcomings while offering a more holistic understanding of autistic experiences?

Examine specific aspects of the PTMF, such as its consideration of trauma, identity, and meaning-making, and discuss how these elements align with autistic individuals' narratives. How might this framework influence policy-making, clinical practices, and public perception of autism?

Additionally, explore potential criticisms or limitations of the PTMF from within and outside the autistic community. Are there scenarios where aspects of the medical or social models might still be relevant or complementary to the PTMF?

Finally, consider the broader implications of this preference for the PTMF. How might it reshape discussions around neurodiversity, disability rights, and mental health in general? What lessons can be drawn from the autistic community's embrace of this framework that could be applied to other marginalized groups or conditions?"

This enhanced prompt adds depth by:

1. Contextualizing the preference within the broader disability rights movement

2. Encouraging comparison and contrast between different models

3. Prompting exploration of specific aspects of the PTMF

4. Inviting critical analysis of potential limitations

5. Considering broader implications for disability discourse and policy

6. Encouraging interdisciplinary thinking by linking to other marginalized groups

ChatGPT 4.o: ### Enhanced Prompt

"Autistic self-advocates often prefer the Power Threat Meaning Framework (PTMF) over the traditional medical and social models of disability. To understand this preference, it's essential to delve into the nuances and principles of these frameworks. How does the PTMF, with its focus on understanding distress through the lens of power dynamics, threat responses, and the creation of meaning, provide a more empowering and validating perspective for autistic individuals? In what ways does the PTMF address the limitations or shortcomings of the medical model, which tends to pathologize autism, and the social model, which focuses primarily on societal barriers? Additionally, how do the principles of PTMF resonate with the lived experiences of autistic people, particularly in terms of autonomy, identity, and the recognition of diverse neurological experiences? Reflecting on the advocacy efforts and personal narratives within the autistic community, what insights can you provide about the transformative potential of the PTMF in shaping more inclusive and holistic approaches to understanding and supporting autistic individuals?"

### Breakdown of the Enhanced Prompt

1. **Contextual Introduction**: "Autistic self-advocates often prefer the Power Threat Meaning Framework (PTMF) over the traditional medical and social models of disability."

2. **Specific Focus**: "How does the PTMF, with its focus on understanding distress through the lens of power dynamics, threat responses, and the creation of meaning, provide a more empowering and validating perspective for autistic individuals?"

3. **Detailed Exploration**: "In what ways does the PTMF address the limitations or shortcomings of the medical model, which tends to pathologize autism, and the social model, which focuses primarily on societal barriers?"

4. **Critical Analysis**: "How do the principles of PTMF resonate with the lived experiences of autistic people, particularly in terms of autonomy, identity, and the recognition of diverse neurological experiences?"

5. **Personal Connection and Insights**: "Reflecting on the advocacy efforts and personal narratives within the autistic community, what insights can you provide about the transformative potential of the PTMF in shaping more inclusive and holistic approaches to understanding and supporting autistic individuals?"

Discussion & More Examples

Prompt Enhancing is a powerful tool for teachers like me in Inclusion settings, particularly for those working with students who have diverse learning needs, such as a high school special education RSP (Resource Specialist Program) teacher. This technique can significantly aid in differentiating question pools on tests and in lessons across various high school subjects, ensuring that all students are appropriately challenged and engaged. Here’s how Prompt Enhancing can be applied in this context, with examples across different subjects:

1. Mathematics (Algebra II):

Basic prompt: “Solve the system of equations: 2x + y = 7 and x - y = 1.”

Enhanced prompt for differentiation:

• Lower complexity: “Solve the system of equations and explain each step of your process. How would you check your answer?”

• Medium complexity: “Solve the system of equations and create a real-world scenario that this system could represent. Explain how changing one variable would affect the solution.”

• Higher complexity: “Solve the system of equations, then design a word problem that would require this system to solve. Analyse how different methods (substitution, elimination, graphing) compare in efficiency for this particular system.”

2. English Literature (Shakespeare’s “Macbeth”):

Basic prompt: “Describe Lady Macbeth’s character.”

Enhanced prompt for differentiation:

• Lower complexity: “Identify three key traits of Lady Macbeth and provide evidence from the play to support each trait.”

• Medium complexity: “Compare and contrast Lady Macbeth’s character at the beginning and end of the play. What causes these changes?”

• Higher complexity: “Analyse Lady Macbeth’s role in the play’s exploration of gender roles and power dynamics. How might a modern audience interpret her character differently from Shakespeare’s original audience?”

3. Biology (Ecosystems):

Basic prompt: “Explain the carbon cycle.”

Enhanced prompt for differentiation:

• Lower complexity: “Draw a diagram of the carbon cycle and label its major components. Explain one way human activities impact this cycle.”

• Medium complexity: “Describe how the carbon cycle interacts with other biogeochemical cycles. Propose a solution to reduce human impact on the carbon cycle.”

• Higher complexity: “Design an experiment to measure carbon flux in a local ecosystem. Evaluate the potential long-term consequences of disruptions to the carbon cycle on global ecosystems.”

4. History (Civil Rights Movement):

Basic prompt: “Describe the significance of the Montgomery Bus Boycott.”

Enhanced prompt for differentiation:

• Lower complexity: “Outline the key events of the Montgomery Bus Boycott and explain its immediate impact on the Civil Rights Movement.”

• Medium complexity: “Compare the strategies used in the Montgomery Bus Boycott to other civil rights protests. How did these tactics evolve over time?”

• Higher complexity: “Analyse the Montgomery Bus Boycott’s long-term effects on civil rights legislation and social attitudes. How might similar strategies be applied to current social justice issues?”

By using Prompt Enhancing in this way, teachers can create a range of questions that cater to different learning levels and styles within the same classroom. This approach allows for:

1. Scaffolding: Students can engage with the material at their current level and gradually move to more complex questions as they progress.

2. Personalisation: Teachers can assign different question levels to students based on their individual needs and goals.

3. Engagement: By offering questions at various levels of complexity, all students can feel challenged and motivated.

4. Skill development: Students can practice a range of skills from basic recall to complex analysis and creation, regardless of their starting point.

5. Assessment flexibility: Teachers can use these differentiated question pools for formative assessments, allowing them to gauge student understanding at various levels.

6. Inclusive learning: All students can participate in class discussions and activities, with each student able to contribute at their level of understanding.

For special education RSP teachers, this approach is particularly valuable as it allows for seamless integration of students with diverse needs into the general education curriculum. It provides a framework for modifying assignments and assessments without compromising on content or learning objectives. Moreover, it supports the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) by offering multiple means of engagement and expression.

By employing Prompt Enhancing techniques, teachers can create a more inclusive, engaging, and effective learning environment that meets the needs of all students, regardless of their learning differences or challenges.

Final thoughts …

To wrap things up, Prompt Enhancing emerges as a powerful ally for educators in today’s challenging teaching landscape. This technique not only helps teachers create more engaging and thought-provoking content but also serves as a time-saving tool in an era of increasing demands and limited resources. By transforming simple questions into multi-layered inquiries, Prompt Enhancing supports differentiated instruction, fosters critical thinking, and helps students reach higher levels of cognitive engagement, including DOK Level 4.

For teachers in Inclusion settings, particularly those in special education roles, this approach offers a flexible framework to meet diverse learning needs while maintaining high academic standards. As we continue to navigate the complexities of modern education, Prompt Enhancing stands out as an innovative strategy that aligns with UDL principles, promotes equitable access to challenging content, and ultimately empowers both teachers and students. By embracing this technique, educators can reclaim valuable time while enhancing the quality and depth of learning experiences across all subject areas.