Training
Prompting 101: Get Better Results from AI
Learn the fundamentals of writing effective AI prompts. From basic structure to advanced techniques, this training gives you the skills to get consistently great results from ChatGPT and other AI tools.
Module 1 of 6
Introduction to AI Prompting
Module Overview
Welcome to the Introduction to AI Prompting module — your first step toward becoming a confident and effective communicator with artificial intelligence. In this module, you'll build a solid foundation by learning exactly what a prompt is, why the words you choose matter more than you might think, and how AI models actually process and interpret the instructions you give them. Whether you've never typed a message to an AI before or you've tried it a few times and felt frustrated by the results, this module is designed to meet you exactly where you are. Throughout these lessons, we'll explore the mechanics behind AI language models in plain, accessible language — no technical background required. You'll discover how small changes in phrasing can lead to dramatically different outputs, and you'll start to see prompting as a skill you can learn and improve, much like writing or public speaking. We'll also walk through the most common mistakes beginners make so you can avoid them from day one, saving you time and frustration. By the end of this module, you'll have a realistic and empowering understanding of what AI can and cannot do, setting you up for success in every module that follows. You'll leave with practical techniques you can apply immediately, a clearer mental model of how to think about AI interactions, and the confidence to experiment and iterate. Let's get started.
Lessons
Hands-on Activities
- 1Prompt Comparison Exercise: Write three different prompts asking an AI to explain the same concept (e.g., 'What is climate change?') — one vague, one moderately detailed, and one highly specific. Compare the outputs and write 2-3 sentences noting the differences in quality, length, and accuracy.
- 2Mistake Identification Challenge: Review a provided set of five poorly written prompts and rewrite each one to correct the common beginner mistakes identified in the lesson. Share your rewrites and explain what you changed and why.
- 3Expectation-Setting Reflection Journal: Use an AI tool to complete a task you care about personally or professionally. Then write a short 150-word reflection answering: What did the AI do well? Where did it fall short? What would you do differently next time to get a better result?
