Lesson 2: Explicit Task
Overview
The 'E' in TEACH stands for Explicit Task. This lesson focuses on how to clearly define what you want the AI to do, including specific instructions, format requirements, and any constraints or limitations.
Learning Objectives
- Understand the importance of explicit task definition in prompts
- Learn how to specify clear instructions and requirements
- Practice defining tasks with appropriate constraints
- Develop strategies for ensuring task clarity
Key Concepts
When defining an explicit task:
- Be specific about what you want the AI to do
- Include clear instructions and steps
- Specify the format and structure of the output
- Define any constraints or limitations
- Provide context about the task's purpose
Examples
Example 1: Clear Instructions
"Create a 5-question multiple choice quiz about the water cycle for 4th graders. Each question should have 4 options, with one correct answer. Include an explanation for each correct answer."
This prompt clearly specifies the task, format, and requirements.
Example 2: Structured Output
"Generate a lesson plan in the following format: Title, Learning Objectives (3 bullet points), Materials Needed (bulleted list), Procedure (numbered steps), Assessment (2-3 methods)."
This prompt defines the exact structure and format of the output.
Practice Activity
Create a prompt that asks the AI to generate a classroom activity. Make sure your prompt includes:
- Clear instructions for the activity
- Specific format requirements
- Any constraints or limitations
- Context about the learning objectives
Interactive Prompt Tester
This is a safe environment to practice your prompting skills. Try crafting a prompt based on what you've learned. Your prompt and the response will be saved for your reference and to help improve this course.
Reflection Questions
- How does explicit task definition improve the quality of AI responses?
- What are some common pitfalls when defining tasks in prompts?
- How can you ensure your task instructions are clear and unambiguous?
Source: Test Course/TEST Prompting for Educators/Unit3_TEACHFramework_Lesson2.md