Many of Mindsmith’s most powerful capabilities are powered by generative AI, but unlocking its full potential starts with understanding how to guide it well. This article is designed to help beginners understand how to prompt effectively and get the most value from AI-powered tools in Mindsmith.
AI Works Like an Assistant, Not a Mind Reader
Think of working with AI like working with a talented creative partner. It’s smart and fast, but it can only build what you describe. A helpful analogy: asking AI to generate a lesson from your mind is like asking an artist to paint a memory of yours. If you don’t describe that memory clearly, the result won’t match what you had in mind.
That’s why learning to prompt effectively matters—and why having the right expectations for AI makes the whole experience smoother and more productive.
Writing Prompts That Get Results
You don’t need technical expertise to write a good prompt. All it takes is a clear structure and a thoughtful approach. Think of prompting as a skill: the better you get at describing what you want, the better the AI can support you.
Here’s a simple, three-step formula to get better results:
Start with context Help the AI understand the bigger picture. Who is the learner? What level are they at? What should they take away from this content? The more situational awareness you provide, the more relevant the response will be.
Example: "This is for a beginner-level cybersecurity lesson, aimed at entry-level IT professionals."
Clarify the outcome Be specific about what you want the AI to produce. Are you asking for a quiz? A definition? A short scenario? The format and intent should be clear up front.
Example: "Create three multiple-choice questions."
Specify the content and tone Provide details about the topic, desired voice, and any constraints. If you have examples or preferences (e.g. language complexity, voice, format), include them.
Example: "Focus on the concept of phishing. Include one correct answer and three realistic distractors. Keep the language accessible to non-technical professionals."
Using the Enhance Button in the Lesson Generator
When you create a lesson using Generate From Your Instructions, you’ll be asked to provide a short description of what the lesson should cover. This field accepts natural language instructions—anything from “create a course on product marketing” to “teach a beginner-friendly lesson on cybersecurity basics.”
To help refine these instructions into a full AI-ready prompt, Mindsmith includes an Enhance button. Clicking Enhance takes the text you’ve written in your own words and automatically expands it into a structured, detailed prompt. This improved prompt often includes objectives, main points, and suggested structure—giving the AI more context to generate a high-quality draft lesson.
For example:
Before: “Create a course on product marketing.”
After Enhance: A detailed outline with objectives, sections, and key learning points about product marketing.
Using Enhance is especially helpful if you’re not sure how to phrase your prompt, or if you want to quickly add more structure without typing it all yourself. It’s one of the fastest ways to get richer, more tailored results from the lesson generator.
👉 Tip: You can always edit the enhanced prompt before continuing. Think of Enhance as a starting point—it saves time and ensures your AI output has a stronger foundation.
Putting It All Together
Less effective prompt: "Make a quiz about cybersecurity."
Improved prompt: "This is for a beginner-level cybersecurity lesson, aimed at entry-level IT professionals. Create three multiple-choice questions focused on the concept of phishing. Include one correct answer and three realistic distractors. Keep the language accessible to non-technical professionals."
This version gives the AI much more to work with, and produces a more relevant and usable result.
If the output isn’t what you want, don’t be afraid to refine your prompt or build on what the AI gave you. You can always edit, regenerate, or add detail. It’s a collaborative process!
What to Expect from Mindsmith’s AI
Mindsmith’s AI tools are designed to help you move faster and reduce manual work, giving you the time and space for creativity and content polish. In the tool, this looks like:
Getting you as close to the finish line as possible. Let AI handle the first draft so you can focus on refining, customizing, and improving.
Cutting down on repetitive tasks. Quickly create assessments, flashcards, translations, and summaries without starting from scratch.
Scaling your team’s efforts. AI expands what a small team can do, making it easier to meet demand and deliver high-quality learning at pace.
Want to explore specific AI tools in Mindsmith? Start with the AI Generator Guide.