Unlocking Tutello: Asking the right questions

Want Better Results? It Starts with the Right Questions

Team Tutello

28 October 2024

As we engage with AI-assisted platforms like Tutello, knowing how to ask effective questions and provide clear prompts is key to getting the best answers. This guide offers our top tips for engaging in productive conversations with the platform.

1. Be Clear About What You Need

Tutello already knows your course content, so you don’t need to give lots of background. But you do need to be specific about what you want to learn or clarify. Vague questions can lead to overly broad answers. If you need help with a specific concept, problem, or assignment, make sure your prompt reflects that.

Example:

Poor prompt: "Tell me about fractions."

Better prompt: "I'm having trouble understanding how to compare fractions with different denominators. Can you explain that step-by-step?"

2. Use Key Words

When using Tutello, include key words from your course or lesson. These words help guide the AI to give more precise responses that are relevant to what you’re studying. For example, if you’re working on a maths problem, make sure to mention the specific topic (e.g., "algebra," "fractions," "geometry"). If it's history, mention the event, era, or figure.

Example:

Poor prompt: “Explain this math problem.”

Better prompt: “I’m solving a quadratic equation. Can you help me with factoring this expression: x² - 5x + 6?”

3. Be Specific About the Help You Want

Tutello is versatile, but it’s important to specify what kind of assistance you’re looking for. Do you need an explanation, examples, or step-by-step guidance? If you want an explanation, let Tutello know how detailed it should be based on what you already know or don’t know. This helps avoid overwhelming or too-basic responses.

Example:
Poor prompt: “Explain this science concept.”
Better prompt: “Can you break down how the nervous system works for my biology class? I’m confused about the difference between sensory and motor neurons. Give me a short paragraph.”

4. Ask for Examples or Analogies

If a concept isn’t making sense, asking for examples or analogies can help clarify complex ideas. Tutello is great at simplifying information and using real-world examples to make learning easier.

Example: “Can you explain Newton’s third law of motion using a real-world example, like how a rocket launches?”

5. Be Clear When Asking for Feedback or Reviews

If you’re using Tutello to review a section of an assignment, draft, or project, make sure your prompt is clear. Specify what kind of feedback you’re looking for, whether it’s about grammar, content, structure, or even areas for improvement.

Example:
Poor prompt: “Review my essay.”
Better prompt: “Can you check this paragraph of my history essay for clarity and argument strength? I want to make sure I’m supporting my thesis well.”

6. Follow Up with More Questions

If Tutello’s first response isn’t quite what you need, don’t hesitate to ask follow-up questions to dig deeper or get more detail. Tutello is designed for ongoing dialogue, so feel free to ask for more clarification or further examples.

Example:
Initial prompt: “Explain how a cell divides.”
Follow-up: “Can you explain what happens during the metaphase stage of mitosis in more detail?”

7. Test Different Ways of Asking

If you’re not getting the answer you need, try rephrasing the question. You can ask Tutello to give a summary, write in bullet points, or explain things in simpler language.

Example:
“Can you summarise the process of mitosis in a list of steps?”
Or: “Explain the differences between mitosis and meiosis in simple terms.”

8. Words That Help Guide Responses

Here are some words and phrases that can help you get the best answers from Tutello:

Explain
Summarise
Step-by-step
Compare/contrast
Simplify
Example
Review or give me feedback

Conclusion

By asking clear, specific, and detailed questions, you can unlock the full potential of Tutello as a personal tutor. Always be clear about what you need, and don’t be afraid to ask follow-up questions or request explanations in different formats.

Remember, the more effort you put into asking the right questions, the better answers you’ll receive!