Prompt Engineering for Google Gemini

Welcome to Gemini, APU's AI tool to assist you with your work! To keep our data secure, please use Gemini for your university tasks while logged into your APU Google account.

Access Gemini by visiting gemini.google.com. You can also find it in the app launcher (the "waffle" menu) in your university Gmail. Once you’re there, just start typing!

Currently, Google Gemini is only available to APU staff and faculty.

What is a Prompt?

A prompt is your instruction to Gemini. It's how you tell the AI what you want it to do.

Examples:

• "Summarize the key findings of the research article on student retention."
• "Draft a syllabus for a course on Introduction to Ethics."
• "Brainstorm ideas for improving student engagement in online courses."

What is Prompt Engineering?

Prompt engineering is the skill of crafting effective prompts to get the best results from Gemini. It's about clear communication with the AI.

Why is Prompt Engineering Important?

Well-crafted prompts are essential for getting accurate and relevant information. They guide Gemini to focus on your specific needs, saving you time and effort.

Examples of Good Prompts

• Instead of: "Tell me about assessment."

  • Try: "Develop a rubric for assessing student participation in online discussions, including criteria for evaluating the quality of contributions, responsiveness to peers, and adherence to netiquette guidelines."

• Instead of: "Write a letter."

  • Try: "Draft a letter to a prospective donor outlining the university's need for funding for a new student scholarship program in the sciences, highlighting the potential impact of the program on student access and diversity."

• Instead of: "Find research on teaching."

  • Try: "Find peer-reviewed articles published in the last five years on innovative pedagogical approaches for teaching STEM subjects in higher education, focusing on active learning strategies and their impact on student learning outcomes."

Bad Prompt vs. Good Prompt (APU Examples)

• Bad Prompt: "Tell me about course development." (Too broad)

  • Result: A general overview, not helpful for specific course development needs.

• Good Prompt: "Develop a course outline for a new undergraduate course on "Digital Marketing," including learning objectives, weekly topics, assessment methods, and required readings, aligning with the university's general education requirements." (Specific)

  • Result: A detailed course outline ready for review and refinement.

Here are some example prompts:

• "Draft an email to the department chair requesting approval for a new course proposal, outlining the rationale for the course and its alignment with the department's strategic goals."
• "Find resources and best practices for creating accessible course materials for students with disabilities, ensuring compliance with ADA guidelines."
• "Generate a list of potential research grant opportunities related to faculty development in online teaching."
• "Create a presentation outline for a workshop on effective strategies for mentoring undergraduate research students."
• "Summarize the key findings of the recent accreditation report, highlighting areas of strength and areas for improvement."
• "What are the university's policies regarding intellectual property and research commercialization?"
• "Where can I find information about professional development opportunities for faculty and staff at APU?"
• "I am a faculty member interested in researching the impact of technology on student learning. Can you suggest some potential collaborators at APU who might share similar research interests?"
• "Draft a job description for a new faculty position in the [Department Name] department, including responsibilities, qualifications, and required experience."
• "Create a template for a student recommendation letter, including prompts for gathering relevant information about the student's academic performance, skills, and character."