Prompting for OUTPUT:

Definition: Ask AI to produce a finished product or formatting quickly.

Good for: Low-stakes, procedural time-savers where originality/voice are not imperative.

Examples:

• Format a document (headers, tables, spacing).

• Generate a photo/diagram for a presentation slide.

• Produce batches of practice problems with answer keys.

• Turn notes into slide bullets or a one-page overview.

• Convert text to different reading levels or clean up grammar.

Risks: Generic or misaligned to standards/students; factual slips if unchecked; missing accommodations.

Prompting for INPUT: (RECOMMENDED FOR ACADEMIC SUPPORT) 

Definition: Use AI to inform your thinking—co-design, critique, alignment, and refinement.

Appropriate for: High-intention work where audience, standards, assessment quality, and equity matter.

Examples:

• Engage in a Q&A on a topic and let AI analyze your responses for feedback.

• Design a 'Tutoring Simulation' where AI coaches you through a problem or task

• Engage in a 'Reflective Conversation' 

• Compare instructional approaches with pros/cons for your context.

Benefits: Better alignment and clarity; stronger reasoning; improved differentiation and assessment quality; bias and accessibility checks.