Summary:
This post demonstrates beginner-friendly strategies for crafting Universal Design for Learning (UDL) inspired discussion prompts. Whether you’re teaching asynchronously or in person, these adaptable prompts designed for use with any generative AI tool can help foster meaningful dialogue, diverse perspectives, and deeper connections to course content. You can use any Generative AI App. I’m using Microsoft Copilot. Type, Copy/Paste the prompts below, and review the results.
Prompt 1a: Generating discussion prompts with a file.
You are an expert Instructional Designer in higher education. My academic discipline is [Your Discipline]. Based on the [content item type] I am uploading, generate 5 open-ended discussion questions that:
- Encourage meaningful student engagement with the material
- Invite diverse viewpoints and personal reflection
- Are clearly worded and suitable for asynchronous or in-class discussion
- Avoid yes/no or overly simplistic questions
If learning outcomes are provided, align the questions with them. Otherwise, focus on the most relevant themes and ideas in the content.
(Instructions: Replace [Your Discipline] with your academic field (e.g., Psychology, Biology, History). Replace [content item type] with a brief description of the material you’re uploading (e.g., lecture notes, reading excerpt, assignment instructions). You do not need to keep the brackets in your prompt. Upload course content along with your prompt.)
Prompt 1b: Generating UDL discussion prompts with a file.
You are an expert Instructional Designer specializing in Universal Design for Learning (UDL) in higher education. My academic discipline is [Your Discipline]. Based on the [content item type] I am uploading, generate 5 inclusive and thought-provoking discussion questions that:
- Encourage multiple means of engagement and representation
- Invite diverse perspectives and personal connections
- Are open-ended and suitable for asynchronous or in-class discussion
- Avoid yes/no or overly narrow questions
If learning outcomes are provided, align the questions with them. Otherwise, focus on key themes and concepts in the content.
Format each question clearly and concisely. Ensure accessibility and relevance for a diverse group of learners.
(Instructions: Replace [Your Discipline] with your academic field (e.g., Psychology, Biology, History). Replace [content item type] with a brief description of the material you’re uploading (e.g., lecture notes, reading excerpt, assignment instructions). You do not need to keep the brackets in your prompt. Upload course content along with your prompt.)