Advanced Prompt Strategies & Retrieval Technique Activities

What you'll learn

• Master system prompting techniques to customize AI behavior
• Apply chain of reasoning strategies for complex problem-solving
• Implement retrieval techniques for enhanced AI responses
• Work with current and specialized information effectively
• Practice advanced prompt engineering in real-world scenarios

Welcome to the Concept 06: Advanced Prompt Strategies & Retrieval Technique exercise! This comprehensive workshop will guide you through interactive activities to master advanced AI interaction techniques.

Part One: System Prompting Activities :speech_balloon:

Time estimate: 45-60 minutes | Reference: Concept 4 Notes

Activity One: Using a System Prompt

Learn how to create effective system prompts that guide AI behavior.

1. Start with Level One: Introduction (10 minutes)

   • Understand what system prompts are
   • Learn when to use them

2. Continue to Level 2: Exploration (15 minutes)

   • Experiment with different system prompt styles
   • Observe how AI responses change

3. Complete Level 3: Practice (20 minutes)

   • Apply system prompts to real scenarios
   • Test your understanding

:bulb: System prompts set the foundation for all AI interactions. Take time to understand how different instructions affect the AI's behavior before moving forward.

Activity 2: Role & Tone :emoji:

Master how to define AI personality and communication style.

1. Begin with Level 4: Introduction (10 minutes)
   • Learn about role-playing in prompts
   • Understand tone variations
2. Explore with Level 5: Exploration (15 minutes)
   • Test different roles (teacher, expert, friend)
   • Experiment with formal vs. casual tones
3. Practice with Level 6: Practice (15 minutes)
   • Create custom role prompts
   • Match tone to audience needs

Activity 3: Audience & Delivery :emoji:

Tailor AI responses for specific audiences and formats.

1. Learn basics at Level 7: Introduction (10 minutes)
   • Identify audience characteristics
   • Choose appropriate delivery formats
2. Explore options at Level 8: Exploration (15 minutes)
   • Test different audience settings
   • Compare various output formats
3. Apply knowledge at Level 9: Practice (15 minutes)
   • Create audience-specific content
   • Format responses appropriately

Activity 4: Progress Check-in :white_check_mark:

Complete Level 10: Progress Check-in (5 minutes)

• Review what you've learned
• Identify areas for improvement

Activity 5: Comprehensive Practice :computer:

Work through Level 11: Comprehensive Practice (20 minutes)

• Combine all system prompting techniques
• Solve complex scenarios

Activity 6: Knowledge Assessment :memo:

Take Level 12: Knowledge Assessment (15 minutes)

• Test your understanding
• Receive immediate feedback

Activity 7: Advanced Challenge :rocket:

Complete Level 13: Advanced Challenge (20 minutes)

• Apply skills to real-world problems

• Push your abilities further

:warning: Warning Before moving to Part 2, ensure you've completed the assessment. This validates your understanding of system prompting fundamentals.

Part 2: Chain of Reasoning Activities :link:

Time estimate: 60-75 minutes | Reference: Concept 5 Notes

Activity 8: Chain of Reasoning

Learn to guide AI through step-by-step thinking processes.

1. Start with Level One: Introduction (10 minutes)
   • Understand chain-of-thought prompting
   • Learn why it improves accuracy
2. Explore at Level 2: Exploration (15 minutes)
   • Test different reasoning chains
   • Compare results with and without chains
3. Practice at Level 3: Practice (15 minutes)
   • Build your own reasoning chains
   • Solve multi-step problems
4. Advance at Level 4: Advanced Practice (20 minutes)
   • Handle complex reasoning tasks
   • Debug faulty logic chains tip Chain of reasoning works best for math problems, logical puzzles, and complex analysis. Break down problems into clear, sequential steps.

Activity 9: Giving Examples :books:

Master the art of few-shot learning with examples.

1. Learn fundamentals at Level 5: Introduction (10 minutes)

   • Understand example-based prompting
   • Learn optimal example formats

2. Experiment at Level 6: Exploration (15 minutes)

   • Test different example types
   • Find the right number of examples

3. Apply skills at Level 7: Practice (15 minutes)

   • Create effective example sets
   • Match examples to tasks

Activity 10: Comprehensive Practice :computer:

Complete Level 8: Comprehensive Practice (20 minutes)

• Combine reasoning and examples
• Tackle real-world scenarios

Activity 11: Progress Check-in :white_check_mark:

Take Level 9: Progress Check-in (5 minutes)

• Assess your progress
• Plan next steps

Activity 12: Show What You Know :dart:

Demonstrate mastery at Level 10: Knowledge Demonstration (15 minutes)

• Complete final challenges
• Showcase your skills

Part 3: Retrieval Technique Activities :mag:

Time estimate: 45-60 minutes | Reference: Concept 6 Notes

Activity 13: Explore Retrieval Basics

Begin at Level One: Introduction (10 minutes)

• Discover what retrieval techniques are
• Understand when to use them

Activity 14: Predict with Retrieval :emoji:

Master prediction techniques using retrieved information.

1. Practice basic predictions at Level 2: Basic Prediction (10 minutes)

   • Make simple predictions
   • Verify accuracy

2. Advance to Level 3: Advanced Prediction (15 minutes)

   • Handle complex predictions
   • Combine multiple data sources

Activity 15: Investigate Information :emoji:

Deep dive into retrieval and analysis techniques.

1. Start investigations at Level 4: Basic Investigation (10 minutes)

   • Learn search strategies
   • Practice basic queries

2. Progress to Level 5: Intermediate Investigation (15 minutes)

   • Combine multiple sources
   • Verify information accuracy

3. Master at Level 6: Advanced Investigation (15 minutes)

   • Handle conflicting information
   • Create comprehensive reports

:bulb: Tip When investigating, always verify information from multiple sources. Look for patterns and contradictions to ensure accuracy.

Activity 16: Modify Retrieved Content :pencil2:

Practice at Level 7: Modification Exercise (15 minutes)

• Transform retrieved information
• Adapt content for different purposes

Activity 17: Progress Check-in :white_check_mark:

Complete Level 8: Progress Check-in (5 minutes)

• Review retrieval skills
• Identify improvement areas

Activity 18: Create with Retrieval :art:

Build something new at Level 9: Creation Exercise (20 minutes)

• Combine all retrieval techniques
• Create original content

Part 4: Current Information Activities :emoji:

Time estimate: 60-75 minutes | Reference: Concept 7 Notes

Activity 19: Working with Current Information

Stay up-to-date with real-time data techniques.

1. Learn basics at Level One: Introduction (10 minutes)

   • Understand AI knowledge limitations
   • Learn update strategies

2. Explore at Level 2: Exploration (15 minutes)

   • Test current information prompts
   • Practice fact-checking

Activity 20: Specialized Information :dart:

Handle domain-specific and technical content.

1. Begin with Level 3: Introduction (10 minutes)

   • Identify specialized domains
   • Learn technical prompting

2. Dive deeper at Level 4: Exploration (15 minutes)

   • Work with technical content
   • Handle jargon effectively

Activity 21: Ensuring Accurate Information :emoji:

Master verification and accuracy techniques.

1. Start at Level 5: Introduction (10 minutes)

   • Learn accuracy principles
   • Understand common errors

2. Practice at Level 6: Exploration (15 minutes)

   • Test verification methods
   • Identify misinformation

3. Apply skills at Level 7: Practice (15 minutes)

   • Create fact-checked content
   • Build reliable prompts

:warning: Warning Always verify current information, especially dates, statistics, and recent events. AI models have training cutoff dates and may not have the latest data.

Activity 22: Progress Check-in :white_check_mark:

Review at Level 8: Progress Check-in (5 minutes)

• Assess information handling skills
• Plan final activities

Activity 23: Comprehensive Practice :computer:

Master all skills at Level 9: Comprehensive Practice (20 minutes)

• Combine all information techniques
• Handle complex scenarios

Activity 24: Final Assessment :memo:

Complete Level 10: Knowledge Assessment (15 minutes)

• Demonstrate comprehensive understanding
• Receive certification feedback

Activity 25: Ultimate Challenge :trophy:

Push your limits at Level 11: Advanced Challenge (20 minutes)

• Solve real-world problems
• Apply all advanced techniques

:dart: Completion Guidelines

:information_source: Total estimated time: 3.5-4.5 hours You can complete this workshop in one session or split it across multiple days. Each part is self-contained.

How to succeed:

1. Follow the sequence - Complete activities in order as they build on each other
2. Take notes - Document your observations and key learnings
3. Complete check-ins - These help track your progress and identify gaps
4. Practice actively - Don't just read; actually try the techniques
5. Review references - Check concept notes when you need clarification

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If an activity won't load:

• Refresh your browser
• Clear cache and cookies
• Try a different browser
• Check your internet connection

If you're stuck on a challenge:

• Review the introduction levels again
• Check the concept notes for that section
• Take a break and return with fresh eyes
• Remember: struggling is part of learning!

If time is limited:

• Focus on Parts 1 and 2 first (most fundamental)
• Complete assessments to validate understanding
• Return to exploration activities later

:warning: Warning Important Submission Note After completing all activities, you may be asked to submit a reflection or project. Keep your notes organized throughout the workshop for easy reference.

Need Help?

• Review the concept notes for each section
• Ask questions in class discussions
• Collaborate with peers on challenging activities

Good luck with your advanced prompt engineering journey! :rocket: