As an instructional designer, you’re constantly juggling the need to be creative, efficient, and, above all, ensure learners are truly engaged. It’s a lot! What if you had a smart assistant that could help you brainstorm fresh activity ideas, draft compelling content, or even help you think through different instructional strategies? That’s where a tool like ChatGPT can really shine. It’s quickly becoming a go-to for many professionals, and instructional design is no different.
But, like any helpful tool, you get the best results when you know how to use it well. This article gives you a carefully selected list of practical ChatGPT prompts made specifically for instructional designers. Think of this as your guide to making ChatGPT a genuinely useful partner in your design process, from figuring out what learners need, all the way to putting the finishing touches on your materials.
How to Use These Prompts Effectively:
Each prompt below includes bracketed placeholders like [topic] or [target audience]. Simply replace these placeholders with your specific project details to tailor the prompt for your needs. For even better results:
- Define the Persona/Role: You can tell ChatGPT to act as an “expert instructional designer,” “a creative brainstorming partner,” or “a meticulous editor” to influence its response style. For example, start your prompt with “Act as an expert instructional designer and…”
- Specify Format: If you have a particular output in mind, like a list, a table, a script, or a paragraph, be sure to tell ChatGPT. For instance, you might ask it to “Generate a list of…” or “Write a video script that includes…”
By using these prompts thoughtfully, you can unlock ChatGPT’s potential to enhance your instructional design workflow.
I. Needs Analysis & Audience Understanding
- Learner Persona Development:
Create a detailed learner persona for[target audience]who needs to learn[topic/skill]. Include their typical background, motivations, learning preferences, potential challenges, and tech-savviness. - Identifying Learning Gaps:
Help me draft 5-7 needs analysis questions to ask[target audience]to identify their current knowledge gaps and challenges related to[topic/skill]aiming for[desired outcome/behavior change]. - Contextualizing Learning:
Describe common real-world situations or challenges where[target audience]would need to apply[key concepts/skills]related to[topic].
II. Learning Objectives & Outcomes
- Drafting Measurable Objectives:
Generate 3-5 measurable learning objectives for a[content format]on[topic]for[target audience], focusing on[key concepts/skills to be gained]. Ensure they are aligned with the[complexity level]of Bloom’s Taxonomy. - Refining Existing Objectives:
Here are my draft learning objectives:[list objectives]. Refine them to be SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) for a course on[topic]aimed at[target audience]. - Aligning Objectives with Business Goals:
How can I align learning objectives for a training on[topic]with the business goal of[specific business goal, e.g., 'reducing customer support tickets by 10%']for[target audience]? - Objective Aligned with Competency:
Generate a measurable learning objective for a[content format]on[topic]that specifically aligns with the competency:[specific standard or competency]for[target audience].
III. Content Design & Development
- Course/Module Outline:
Create a detailed outline for a[content format](e.g., ‘2-hour workshop’ or ‘5-module online course’) on[topic]for[target audience]. Include module titles, key learning points, suggested activity types, and estimated timings. - Mind Map for Program Structure:
Develop a mind map outlining the key themes, sub-topics, and connections for a[content format]on[topic]for[target audience]. - Explaining Complex Concepts Simply:
Explain the complex concept of[specific complex concept]in simple terms, using an analogy, suitable for[target audience]who are novices in[topic]. - Scenario & Case Study Generation:
Develop 3 realistic workplace scenarios for a course on[topic]where[target audience]needs to apply[specific skill/principle]. For each, describe the situation and the challenge the learner faces. - Scriptwriting (Video/Audio):
Write a[duration, e.g., 2-minute]explainer video script on[key concept from topic]for[target audience]. Use a[desired tone, e.g., friendly, professional]tone and include suggestions for visuals. - Interactive Element Ideas:
Suggest 3-5 interactive elements (e.g., click-to-reveal, drag-and-drop, short quiz, branching scenario) that could be incorporated into an e-learning module about[topic]to enhance engagement for[target audience]. - Content Chunking for Microlearning:
Take this dense text on[topic]:[existing content/text to be refined]. Break it down into 3-4 easily digestible microlearning points suitable for a mobile learning experience, each with a clear takeaway. - Job Aid Creation:
Draft a concise job aid or quick reference guide for[target audience]summarizing the key steps to perform[specific task related to topic]. - Suggesting Content Presentation Formats:
For[type of content, e.g., complex technical procedures, abstract theoretical concepts]related to[topic], suggest the most effective presentation formats (e.g., step-by-step guide, infographic, interactive diagram, explainer video) for[target audience]. - Recommending Content Types for Instruction:
Recommend the most suitable content types (e.g., interactive scenarios, explainer videos, job aids, simulations) to deliver instruction on[key concepts/skills]from[topic]effectively to[target audience]. - Developing Specific Learning Activities:
Help me develop a[specific type of learning activity, e.g., role-playing exercise, debate, sorting activity]for[topic]that engages[target audience]and directly supports them in achieving the learning objective:[learning objective]. - Techniques for Problem-Based Learning (PBL):
Recommend 3-5 techniques or guiding principles for creating effective problem-based learning (PBL) activities for a[content format]on[topic]aimed at[target audience].
IV. Assessment & Feedback Strategies
- Assessment Question Generation:
Generate 5[assessment type](e.g., multiple-choice, true/false, short answer) to assess understanding of[learning objective]for a course on[topic]for[target audience]. For multiple-choice, provide one correct answer and three plausible distractors. - Rubric Development:
Develop a draft rubric to assess a[type of assignment, e.g., case study analysis, presentation]on[topic]. Include 3-4 key criteria, and for each criterion, describe performance at ‘Exemplary,’ ‘Proficient,’ and ‘Needs Improvement’ levels. - Constructive Feedback Prompts:
A learner provided this answer:[learner's incorrect answer]to the question:[question]. The correct concept/answer is:[correct concept/answer]. Provide constructive feedback that explains the misunderstanding and guides them towards the correct understanding. - Knowledge Check Ideas:
Suggest 3 quick knowledge check activities (not graded) that can be integrated throughout a[content format]on[topic]to help[target audience]self-assess their understanding. - Developing an Assessment Plan:
Develop a comprehensive assessment plan for a course on[topic]that aligns with these learning objectives:[learning objective(s)]. Include suggestions for both formative and summative assessments, and their timing within the course. - Matching Assessment Method to Learning Outcome:
For the learning objective:[learning objective], which aims to assess[type of learning outcome, e.g., knowledge recall, skill application, critical thinking], suggest the most appropriate assessment method (e.g., multiple-choice quiz, project-based assessment, portfolio, observation checklist) and justify your choice.
V. Engagement & Motivation
- Gamification Ideas:
Brainstorm 3 gamification elements (e.g., points, badges, leaderboards, storytelling) that could be applied to a[content format]on[topic]to increase motivation for[target audience]. - Storytelling for Learning:
Outline a compelling narrative or story that could frame a learning module on[topic](e.g., ‘cybersecurity awareness’) to make it more relatable and memorable for[target audience]. - Increasing Interactivity:
My current[content format]on[topic]feels too passive. Suggest 3 practical ways to increase learner interaction and active participation for[target audience]. - Active Learning Strategies:
Provide[number]examples of active learning strategies (e.g., think-pair-share, peer teaching, fishbowl discussion) to teach[specific concept or skill]within a[content format]on[topic]for[target audience].
VI. Instructional Design Models, Theories & Strategies
- Applying a Design Model:
Explain how to apply the key stages of[instructional design model, e.g., ADDIE, SAM]to the development of a[content format]for[topic]targeting[target audience]. - Comparing Models/Theories:
Compare and contrast[instructional design model/theory A]with[instructional design model/theory B]in terms of their suitability for designing a[content format]on[topic]for[target audience]with[specific constraint/requirement]. - Integrating Learning Principles:
How can I incorporate principles of[learning theory, e.g., Cognitive Load Theory, Constructivism]into the design of an e-learning module on[topic]to enhance learning effectiveness for[target audience]? - Suggesting Instructional Strategies:
Suggest[number]high-level instructional strategies (e.g., microlearning, problem-based learning, storytelling, gamification) that would be effective for a[content format]on[topic]for[target audience]. - Recommending Appropriate Instructional Strategy:
Recommend the most appropriate overarching instructional strategy (e.g., direct instruction, inquiry-based learning, blended learning) for teaching[topic]to[target audience], considering their[learner characteristics, e.g., experience level]and[specific constraint/requirement, e.g., available technology, time limitations].
VII. Review, Refinement & Accessibility
- Content Clarity & Tone Check:
Review the following instructional text for clarity, conciseness, and appropriate tone for[target audience]:[existing content/text to be refined]. - Accessibility Recommendations:
Provide 5 key recommendations for making a[content format]on[topic]more accessible to learners with[specific disability, e.g., visual impairments, dyslexia, hearing impairments], adhering to[specific constraint/requirement, e.g., WCAG 2.1 AA]. - Iterative Improvement Suggestions:
Here is a draft of my[content format, e.g., lesson plan, storyboard]:[existing content/text to be refined]. Provide constructive feedback on its strengths and areas for improvement concerning[specific aspect, e.g., learner engagement, clarity of instructions, alignment with objectives].
VIII. Tools & Technology
- Recommend 2-3
[type of tool, e.g., e-learning authoring tools, video creation software, LMS platforms]suitable for creating[content format]for[target audience]with a[specific constraint/requirement, e.g., budget under $X, easy for beginners]. Briefly compare their pros and cons for this purpose.
IX. Professional Development & Trends
- Summarize the latest research findings or key trends in instructional design related to
[specific area, e.g., microlearning effectiveness, AI in education, immersive learning]and their implications for designing training for[target audience].
- Creating engaging learning materials is a design challenge. To help you with the visual and structural aspects of your courses, explore these powerful Prompts for Designers and apply their principles to your workflow.