Before you start: Always check if and how the use of generative artificial intelligence is permitted in the preparation of your assessment task. Unauthorised use of generative AI or paraphrasing tools can be a form of academic misconduct.
This resource will help you to:
Recognise the benefits of using generative artificial intellegence (AI) as a study tool.
Develop the skills to use generative AI in preparing for an upcoming quiz or exam.
Create well-designed prompts for generative AI to be used as a study tool.
When preparing for a quiz or exam, actively recalling information helps to strengthen memory and improve knowledge retention. Practice questions and flashcards are prime examples of retrieval practice. They require you to actively engage with the material, testing your knowledge recall and reinforcing your understanding of the content. By repeatedly using these tools, you can enhance your ability to retrieve information quickly and accurately, leading to better outcomes on assessment.
To assist you, you can use generative AI as your study buddy.
For effective revision, it's important to have a good grasp of the foundational knowledge related to the course. The generative AI model may draw from additional, alternate, or made-up sources, and lead you to revise irrelevant information. Engaging with your course materials first, is a must.
Many generative AI platforms can assist with preparing for an exam; however, there are some designed specifically for this purpose.
Quizlet for example, allows you to attach your notes, Google Docs pages and even link YouTube videos. Quizlet will then create flashcards, notes and practice tests based on the information you have provided.
Alternatively, using a generative AI tool, such as Microsoft CoPilot or Claude, that allows you to attach a document, or link to a webpage or video, is helpful, as you can provide specific notes, articles, or textbook chapters that are relevant to the upcoming exam.
For large language model (LLM) tools, such as CoPilot or ChatGPT, enter a prompt such as:
"I am studying for an exam in [Subject] and have attached my study notes. The exam will cover topics such as [list of topics]. Could you provide a set of practice questions, including [style of question/s] based on the attached notes? Additionally, please include answers or key points to guide my revision."
*Remember, your prompt matters. The more details you can provide, the better the output will be.
Example
"I am studying for an exam in Environmental Science and have attached my study notes. The exam will cover topics such as climate change, renewable energy, pollution, ecosystem dynamics, and sustainability practices. Could you provide a set of practice questions, including a mix of multiple-choice, short-answer, and essay questions based on the attached notes? Additionally, please include answers or key points to guide my revision."
If your course or exam is based on a specific textbook, try including the reference details of the book, and the specific chapters to focus on.
Watch this
This video (3:07) demonstrates five study prompts you can use with ChatGPT and other LLM’s to study more efficiently.
Did you know? UniSC students have access to Microsoft Copilot, enabling students to engage in AI-assisted research, content development, and image creation with enterprise-grade data protection and properly referenced, current information.
Firth, J., Smith, M., Harvard, B., & Boxer, A. (2017). Assessment as learning: The role of retrieval practice in the classroom. Journal of Experimental Psychology, Memory, and Cognition, 36(5), 1118-1133.
Roediger, H. L. III, & Butler, A. C. (2011). The critical role of retrieval practice in long-term retention. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 15(1), 20–27. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tics.2010.09.003
