Understanding AI Technologies: A Comparison

Four Approaches to Information Access

Table 1

Note: Most modern AI chatbots (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini) are hybrids. They route queries differently based on the request, making their behavior unpredictable. You often cannot tell which approach was used for any given response.

About These Handouts

These five handouts work together to help educators understand AI tools critically and use them effectively. The sequence builds from foundational understanding through critical evaluation to practical application.

1. Understanding LLMs

Foundational explanation of how LLMs work, introducing key concepts and distinguishing LLMs from search engines and RAG systems. Emphasizes that fluency does not equal accuracy.

Best used as: Introductory reading before working with AI tools professionally

2. Understanding Student AI Use Beyond Detection

Reframes student AI use through a hermeneutic of generosity, identifying three contexts (language struggles, material struggles, time pressures) that suggest different pedagogical responses.

Best used as: Discussion starter for faculty meetings or professional development

3. Educational Prompting Examples

Five detailed examples of effective prompts for educational tasks with explanations of why each works.

Best used as: Reference guide when crafting prompts for teaching materials

4. Understanding AI Tool Limitations

Interactive exercise developing critical evaluation skills by identifying which prompts challenge different AI architectures.

Best used as: Workshop activity to build the hermeneutic of suspicion

5. Comprehensive Prompting Guide

Detailed guide introducing the four-component framework (Goal, Format, Tone, Context) with practical examples and official documentation links.

Best used as: Primary reference for developing systematic prompting methods

Suggested Sequence: Start with 1 for foundational understanding, then use 4 as a group exercise to develop critical evaluation skills. Move to 2 for pedagogical framing about student use. Then turn to 5 and 3 for practical application as reference materials.