8 Learning through analogies
Purpose and important information
Analogies are a useful tool, enabling you to understand complex new ideas by bridging the gap between familiar and unfamiliar concepts. Generative AI can be used to create analogies that enhance your understanding and promote active learning. Follow-up prompts can be used for further clarification or to explore related topics.
Important note: Analogies generated by generative AI tools may sometimes lack accuracy. Therefore, it is best to treat these analogies as a starting point for further understanding rather than relying on them.
Prompt template
Note: The following prompt type is most suitable for language-based generative AI.
For this type of prompt, we recommend giving the AI tool a role which mimics a person who would teach the topic or concept that you are learning (e.g. a university tutor in education). In the prompt, specify the task (e.g. explain … ) along with any specific requirements or parameters (e.g. using an analogy).
You are <a role>. Explain <e.g. a concept, or a comparison of terms> using an analogy.
Example prompts and outputs:
The following examples were tested in RMIT’s Val.
RMIT University. (2024). Val [Large language model]. https://val.rmit.edu.au. See Appendix 1 for prompts used and text generated.
