USMA Library Homepage: Generative Artificial Intelligence: Practice using Generative AI

Practice Using Generative AI

Experiment with Generative AI Tools

Experimenting with Generative AI tools is important to figuring out how it is helpful and what it's limitations are. Here is an exercise that will help you evaluate how reliable GenAI-generated sources are.

Generate Topics for your Research Paper
The University of Arizona Library's step by step guide for using generative AI to find a research topic.

Presentation Preparation
- Share your presentation topic
- Ask AI for engaging opening lines
- Get tips for body language
- Practice explaining concepts
- Example: "Help me find a good hook for my presentation about climate change"
- Example: "What are some ways to make this information more interesting?"
Assignment Clarification
- Copy/paste assignment instructions
- Ask AI "Can you explain this assignment in simpler terms?"
- Get help breaking down the steps
- Example: "What are the main parts of this assignment I need to focus on?"
Study Schedule Helper
- List your classes and commitments
- Ask AI to suggest study time blocks
- Get tips for your specific schedule
- Example: "Help me create a study schedule around my part-time job and Tuesday/Thursday classes"
Note Review Assistant
- Share confusing notes from class
- Ask AI to explain unclear concepts
- Get examples that make sense to you
- Example: "Can you explain these biology notes in everyday language?"

**Ideas created by prompting Claude with: Suggest some easy ways for students to practice using Generative AI Tools

Course Content Development
- Input learning objectives for a lesson or unit
- Use AI to generate creative teaching activities
- Ask for diverse assessment methods
Email Assistant
- Practice drafting common emails to students
- Ask AI to make emails more concise or more warm
- Get variations for different situations
- Example: "Help me write an encouraging email to a student who missed class"
Syllabus Helper
- Take one section of your syllabus
- Ask AI to suggest clearer wording
- Request alternative ways to explain policies
- Example: "How can I explain my late work policy more clearly?"
Office Hours Scenarios
- Describe a common student situation
- Ask AI for different approaches to handle it
- Get suggestions for helpful responses
- Example: "What are some ways to respond when a student says they're struggling with time management?"
Discussion Prompt Generator
- Give AI your topic for the day
- Ask for 3-4 discussion starter questions
- Request variations for online vs in-person
- Example: "Give me some discussion questions about photosynthesis that will get students thinking critically"

**Ideas created by prompting Claude with: Suggest some easy ways for faculty to practice using Generative AI Tools

Here are some fun, non-academic ways to practice using generative AI:

Recipe Modifications
- Take a favorite recipe
- Ask AI to suggest healthy substitutions
- Or ask how to make it vegetarian/vegan/gluten-free
- Get tips for scaling portions up or down
Travel Planning Practice
- Pick any destination
- Ask AI to create a 3-day itinerary
- Request budget-friendly alternatives
- Get local food recommendations
Personal Organization
- Share your weekly to-do list
- Ask AI to help prioritize tasks
- Get suggestions for breaking big tasks into smaller steps
- Request time management tips
Creative Writing Fun
- Ask AI to give you a random character
- Or a weird scenario
- Write a short story together
- Have AI help develop plot twists
Home Organization
- Describe a messy space
- Get organizing tips
- Ask for decluttering strategies
- Request storage solutions
Hobby Development
- Share a hobby you're interested in
- Ask for beginner tips
- Get resources for learning
- Request project ideas
Fitness Planning
- Describe your fitness goals
- Get workout suggestions
- Ask for modifications based on equipment
- Request stretching routines
Entertainment Recommendations
- Share some favorite movies/books/shows
- Ask for similar recommendations
- Get explanations for why they're similar
- Request recommendations in different genres

**Ideas generated by prompting Claude with: Suggest some easy ways for people to practice using Generative AI Tools