3 Prompt Engineering Tips
For Teachers to Save Time and Increase Instructional Impact
Teachers are routinely designing, modifying, and generating lessons - sometimes minutes before the bell. AI tools like ChatGPT can support lesson planning, differentiation, and engagement—and it helps to know how to ask good questions. Prompt engineering isn’t about being “techy.” It’s about being intentional, clear, and instructional in how we communicate our goals. In the same way we carefully plan our limited class time, we want our prompts to be purposeful and effective.
Here are three practical prompt-engineering tips to help teachers make the most of their time, effort, and creative energy—while designing lessons and activities that truly engage students.
1. Start With the Learning Goal, Not the Activity
One of the biggest mistakes teachers make when using AI is jumping straight to activities without clearly stating the learning outcome. AI works best when it understands what students should know, understand, or be able to do.
Instead of prompting:
“Create a fun activity about budgeting.”
Try:
“Design a 45-minute high school activity where students analyze spending choices and reflect on how values influence budgeting decisions. Include student choice and a reflection component.”
Why this works:
Keeps the focus on purpose over novelty
Aligns activities with standards and outcomes
Produces results you can actually use without heavy editing
Think of prompt engineering like backward design: when the goal is clear, everything else improves.
2. Add Context About Your Students and Constraints
Teachers work in real classrooms—with diverse learners, limited time, and specific constraints. AI doesn’t know that unless you tell it. Of course never add any unique details about individual students - just broad information.
Include details such as:
Grade level or course
Time limits
Learning needs (UDL, accessibility, IEPs, ELLs)
Format (in-person, virtual, asynchronous)
Materials available (or not)
Example prompt:
“Create three engaging lesson options for a 30-minute asynchronous high school foods class. Students have varied reading levels. Include one visual option, one hands-on choice, and one reflective activity. Include two optional aspire to do extension research activities. Include simplified instructions.”
Why this works:
Reduces rewrites and revisions
Supports inclusive design from the start
Results in lessons that feel realistic and usable
The more context you provide, the more the output feels like it was written by a teacher, for teachers.
3. Ask for Iteration, Choice, and Refinement
Prompt engineering isn’t one-and-done. Some of the most powerful results come from asking AI to refine, simplify, or diversify what it creates.
Try follow-up prompts like:
“Give me a simpler version for struggling learners.”
“Offer two extension options for advanced students.”
“Rewrite this to be more student-friendly.”
“Reduce this to a 10-minute mini-lesson.”
Why this works:
Saves time differentiating manually
Supports student agency and choice
Helps you quickly adapt lessons for different classes or modalities
Think of AI as a collaborative assistant—one that responds best when you coach it, just like a student.
Final Thought: Use AI to Amplify, Not Replace, Teacher Expertise
Great prompt engineering doesn’t replace your professional judgment—it extends it. When teachers lead with clarity, values, and purpose, AI becomes a tool for reducing overwhelm and increasing impact.
Used well, prompt engineering can:
Free up time for connection and reflection
Support inclusive, engaging lesson design
Help teachers focus on what matters most—students
Start small, stay intentional, and remember: the power isn’t in the tool—it’s in how you use it.
