Full course description
Date & Time: Self paced
Location: Online Only
Presented By: Technology Enhanced Learning & Online strategies (TLOS)
Overview:
This module focuses on practical prompting strategies that help faculty get better results from AI tools. Participants will explore best practices for safely using AI at Virginia Tech, master techniques such as answer leveling and chain-of-thought prompting, and troubleshoot common issues.
Learning Objectives:
Participants will be able to:
- Identify currently approved AI platforms at Virginia Tech and data risk levels as defined by Division of Information Technology.
- Implement strategies for mitigating risk such as anonymization and aggregation.
- Apply different prompting techniques, such as contextual, answer leveling, and chain-of-thought.
- Identify common technical issues and strategies to address them.
This is Module 2 in the AI Essentials for Teaching and Learning Pathway. You may take the modules as intended or pick and choose the topics which interest you most—the choice is yours.
- Module 0: Introduction to Generative AI
- Module 1: AI Literacy for Higher Education (Foundational)
- Module 2: AI Prompting: Safety and Strategy (Foundational)
- Module 3: Designing AI-Enhanced Teaching Workflows (Foundational)
- Module 4: Designing AI-Conscious Courses (Foundational)
About the Pathway:
Discover the core skills, concepts, and conversations shaping higher education in the age of artificial intelligence (AI). AI Essentials for Teaching and Learning is designed to help Virginia Tech educators build a strong foundation in using AI thoughtfully and effectively. Modules release on a monthly basis throughout the Fall 2025 semester with live cohort sessions offered after each release.
Join us to build your confidence around AI—no technical background required.
AI Essentials Exchange:
The AI Essentials Exchange is a series of live “book club” sessions supporting the AI Essentials for Teaching and Learning pathway. Come ready to engage and connect.