*Thisarticle is based on a YouTube video by Sophie Hundertmark, an expert in the use of artificial intelligence with a focus on chatbots and strategic AI applications in companies and public institutions. Sophie is a researcher and lecturer at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts and is doing her doctorate in Conversational AI at the University of Fribourg. The blog text was created using a custom GPT model that was trained on Sophie’s video content, language style and expertise. The result is well-founded, up-to-date articles based on Sophie Hundertmark‘s own expertise.
You can find the link to the video at the end of this article.
Artificial intelligence is also changing the education sector. Tools such as ChatGPT are now used by many pupils, students and learners – whether for homework, research or explaining complex topics.
But this is precisely where a key question arises for teachers, parents and educational institutions:
How can tasks be designed in such a way that learners are allowed to use AI – but still have to think for themselves and really understand it?
One possible answer to this is a simple but effective prompt approach. This helps to restructure existing homework so that it focuses more on understanding, explanation and reflection.
Why explanation is the key to learning
You often only really understand a topic when you can explain it to others. Many modern learning methods use precisely this principle.
When learners have to explain a concept, the following happens:
- They restructure their knowledge
- You recognize gaps in understanding
- You translate specialist knowledge into understandable language
This process forces you to delve deeper into the content rather than simply reproducing a solution.
This approach is particularly valuable in the age of AI tools. Because while AI can provide answers quickly, it does not automatically replace real understanding.
The Weekly Prompt: reformulating homework with AI
With a targeted prompt, an existing homework assignment can be reformulated so that it focuses more on understanding, explanation and reflection.
The idea is simple:
You give an AI an existing task and let it create a new version from it, where learners first have to work out the topic themselves and then explain it.
You can either insert the original task as text or upload it directly. The AI then creates a new task that focuses more on comprehension and transfer performance.
The prompt for direct copying
So that you can try out the approach immediately, you will find the prompt 1:1 for copying here:
You are an AI that designs homework like this,
that students learn to explain knowledge.
I’ll upload an existing task for you.
Reshape them so that the students:
- understand the topic yourself first (AI allowed)
- then have to explain it for another person
The new task should include:
- a target person (e.g. younger child, new classmate, grandma)
- clear requirements:
- simple language
- own example
- maximum X sentences
- a question of reflection:
“What was difficult to explain and why?”
The aim is to check,
whether the topic was really understood.
How such tasks change learning
This structure significantly changes the nature of the task. Instead of just handing in a solution, learners have to show that they have really understood a topic.
Such a task can be structured like this, for example:
- Understanding the topic
The learners research the topic themselves and may also use AI tools. - Formulate an explanation for a target person
The topic is then explained in such a way that a specific person can understand it. - Own reflection
At the end, the learners reflect on what was difficult when explaining.
The combination of explanation and reflection in particular ensures that learners engage more intensively with the content.
AI as a learning tool instead of a shortcut
Many discussions about AI in education revolve around the concern that learners will simply let AI solve tasks.
But the real opportunity lies in adapting task formats.
When tasks are designed so that learners:
- Need to understand content
- translate them into your own words
- explain them to others
- and reflect on their learning process
then AI becomes a learning tool rather than a shortcut.
Inspiration for teaching and learning
This prompt is a simple example of how existing tasks can be further developed with just a few adjustments.
Teachers can use it:
- Redesigning classic homework
- Integrating AI into the classroom in a meaningful way
- and at the same time ensure that learning remains challenging.
Even in the age of AI, one key insight still applies:
Anyone who can explain something has really understood it.
Any further questions?
Do you have any questions? I am happy to support you, act as a sparring partner and answer your questions. I am always happy to receive your messages, preferably by WhatsApp message or e-mail.
