This prompt is for simplifying concepts at various differentiation levels. When copy and pasting the advanced prompt below, you should edit the items in orange to suit your context. Remember you should always review AI outputs for accuracy. AI outputs should always be adapted to best suit your needs and the needs of your learners.
Basic prompt:
‘Explain [[Topic]] to Primary Six learners’
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This prompt does not give enough contextual detail and may yield low quality, generic results.
Use the advanced prompt in place of a basic prompt to get better results from the AI model.
Advanced prompt:
You are an expert instructional designer and teacher in the Scottish Education system skilled in differentiating instruction, based on learner skill level and zone of proximal development, for optimal student success. You are a [[STAGE OR SUBJECT]] teacher who is introducing the concept of [[TOPIC / CONCEPT]] to your [[STAGE]] learners. As you have a classroom of diverse learners with diverse skill levels, your task is to create three levels of explanation for [[DESCRIPTION]]. Label each explanation with the corresponding skill-level. Align to Scotland’s Curriculum for Excellence.
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This prompt has a clearly defined goal, gives details of the context, specifies expectations of the output and gives a clear indication of the constraints such as limitations or boundaries that the AI model needs to take into account when preparing and output. You should edit the items in orange to suit your context.
Example:
Below is an example of the advanced prompt in action using Google Gemini. You will see the prompt input followed by Google Gemini’s corresponding output for this prompt.
Prompt (what we input to Google Gemini):
You are an expert instructional designer and teacher in the Scottish Education system skilled in differentiating instruction, based on learner skill level and zone of proximal development, for optimal student success. You are a Modern Studies teacher who is introducing the concept of democracy to your S2 learners. As you have a classroom of diverse learners with diverse skill levels, your task is to create three levels of explanation for what democracy is. Label each explanation with the corresponding skill-level. Align to Scotland’s Curriculum for Excellence.
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Gemini Output (what Google Gemini responded with):
Okay, here are three differentiated explanations of democracy for S2 Modern Studies learners, aligned with Scotland’s Curriculum for Excellence, and based on varying skill levels and zones of proximal development.
Understanding Democracy: Differentiated Explanations for S2 Modern Studies
Curriculum for Excellence Alignment:
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Social Studies – People, past events and societies: Understanding how different societies are organised and governed.
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Social Studies – People, place and environment: Exploring how people participate in decision-making processes.
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Literacy and English – Listening and Talking: Engaging with, interpreting, and responding to ideas.
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Literacy and English – Reading: Understanding, analysing and evaluating texts.
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Literacy and English – Writing: Communicating ideas and information.
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Health and Wellbeing – Social and emotional wellbeing: Understanding rights and responsibilities.
Skill Level 1: Developing Understanding (Early Second Level/Beginning Third Level)
This explanation is for learners who may benefit from simpler language, concrete examples, and visual or hands-on activities. They might be developing their understanding of abstract concepts and require more scaffolding.
What is Democracy?
Imagine you and your friends want to decide what game to play at break time. Instead of one person just saying “We’re playing football!”, what if everyone got to have a say?
Democracy is a way for a group of people, like a country, to make decisions together.
It’s like a big team meeting where everyone gets a chance to:
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Have a voice: You can share your ideas and say what you think is best.
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Vote: You can choose who you want to represent you, or which idea you like best.
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Fairness: The idea with the most votes usually wins, which means lots of people agreed.
In a country, when we have democracy, it means:
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People get to choose their leaders: We vote for people to go to places like the Scottish Parliament or the UK Parliament to make laws and decisions for us. These people are called representatives.
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Everyone is treated equally: No one person is more important than another, and everyone’s voice counts.
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Rules are made by the people, for the people: The laws we have are decided by the people we voted for, and they are supposed to work for the good of everyone.
Think of it like this: In a democracy, the power is with the people!
Skill Level 2: Secure Understanding (Third Level)
This explanation is for learners who have a foundational grasp of social concepts and can engage with slightly more complex vocabulary and ideas. They are ready to connect concepts to real-world examples and start thinking about the implications.
What is Democracy?
Democracy is a system of government where the people hold the power and decide how they are governed. The word “democracy” actually comes from two Greek words: “demos” meaning “people” and “kratos” meaning “power” or “rule.” So, literally, it means “rule by the people.”
In a democratic country like Scotland or the UK, this usually happens in a few key ways:
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Representation: We elect representatives (like MSPs for the Scottish Parliament or MPs for the UK Parliament) to make decisions and create laws on our behalf. These representatives are chosen through regular, free, and fair elections, where every eligible citizen has a vote.
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Citizen Participation: While we elect representatives, democracy also involves citizens having the opportunity to participate in other ways, such as through protests, petitions, joining political parties, or even just discussing political issues.
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Rule of Law: Everyone, including those in power, must obey the law. Laws are created through a fair process and apply equally to all. This helps prevent abuse of power.
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Rights and Freedoms: Democracies typically protect fundamental human rights and freedoms, such as freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, and the right to a fair trial. These rights allow people to express themselves and participate in society without fear.
Essentially, democracy is a system designed to ensure that the government is accountable to its citizens and that decisions are made for the benefit of the many, not just a few.
Skill Level 3: Extended Understanding (Late Third Level/Early Fourth Level)
This explanation is for learners who demonstrate strong analytical skills, can grasp abstract concepts, and are ready to explore the nuances and challenges of democracy. They can engage with more sophisticated vocabulary and complex political ideas.
What is Democracy?
Democracy, at its core, is a sophisticated system of governance predicated on the principle of popular sovereignty, meaning that ultimate political authority resides with the people. Deriving from Ancient Greek, its etymology, “demos” (people) and “kratos” (power), directly translates to “rule by the people.”
While often associated with representative democracy, where citizens elect individuals to represent their interests in legislative bodies (e.g., the Scottish Parliament, UK Parliament), true democratic practice encompasses several interwoven tenets:
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Legitimacy through Elections: Regular, free, and fair elections, conducted with universal suffrage, are the primary mechanism by which the populace grants legitimacy to their government. This process allows for the peaceful transfer of power and ensures accountability.
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Protection of Civil Liberties and Human Rights: A hallmark of robust democracies is the safeguarding of fundamental individual freedoms, including freedom of expression, assembly, association, and a free press. These liberties are crucial for informed public discourse and the effective functioning of democratic processes.
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Rule of Law and Independent Judiciary: Democratic governance operates under the strict adherence to the rule of law, where all individuals and institutions, including the government itself, are subject to the same laws. An independent judiciary is vital in upholding these laws and ensuring justice.
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Accountability and Transparency: Democratic governments are expected to be transparent in their operations and accountable to the citizenry. This involves mechanisms for oversight, public access to information, and the ability of citizens to hold their representatives responsible for their actions.
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Pluralism and Minority Rights: A healthy democracy fosters a diversity of opinions and interests (pluralism) and, crucially, protects the rights of minorities against the potential tyranny of the majority. This ensures that the voices and concerns of all segments of society are considered.
It’s important to recognise that democracy is not merely a set of institutions but a dynamic and evolving process that requires continuous civic engagement, critical thinking, and a commitment to its underlying principles to thrive. It is a constant negotiation between individual freedoms and collective well-being.
