?????? Learn new skills with AI

Executive Summary: Did you know ChatGPT can train you with new skills? This article will teach you how to create personalized learning experiences. It includes step-by-step guidance on using AI to break down complex subjects, design tailored courses, and overcome common learning challenges.

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?? My personal AI learning journey

I am an occasional developer because I write software code mostly to automate repetitive tasks or learn about a specific topic.

About two years ago, I saw the promise of AI and machine learning but needed to understand how they worked. Without that innate understanding, I created my own AI model to recognize whether a picture I send is a ?? cat or ?? dog.

My journey started with reading a book on AI by a well-known industry expert. The first few chapters were relatively easy to absorb, but the book became more challenging to follow. The world of AI is an acronym soup of algorithms and terminology I had never heard of.

Like most people, Google was my sidekick when learning those terms, but sometimes, I would have to read many dry or complex articles. What I needed was someone to help me understand these new [to me] concepts and to share that information in a way that makes sense to me.

One day, out of desperation and frustration, I went to ChatGPT and started asking lots of questions like this:

Prompt: I do not understand x. Please help me understand it.

Prompt: Start by explaining this concept as if I was a child and then I will progressively ask you more questions until I get it...

ChatGPT would thoughtfully respond, helping me learn the topics at a speed and pace that I could work with. Also, if I walked away for two weeks, it would still be there, helping me learn as I go!

?? The real "aha!" training moment

As I learned all these details about machine learning and AI, I had to put my knowledge to the test and build something. While I could write my software code in [nearly] any language, the ?? Python programming language is the most popular in the AI community.

This time, instead of thinking I could learn Python independently, I had ChatGPT create a course outline for me!

I told ChatGPT that I am technically proficient, have specific programming skills, and what I do and don't know. I then asked it to create a course outline to learn the language, and out came my course material!

When I was happy with the course material, I asked ChatGPT to get started. I learned all the basics for about two months and about two hours daily.

As I became good enough to start tackling my cat vs. dog AI bot, I told ChatGPT to create a course to help me understand the specific technology I would be using. Once again, I received a stellar course and learned by example.

Okay, Bill, you sold me. What can I learn?

OpenAI's ChatGPT, Anthropic's Claude, Microsoft's Copilot, and Google's Gemini are foundational models. This means they have world knowledge, meaning they know a lot about most topics humans are aware of.

Here are some random topics I came up with (and checked out to the best of my capability):

• Solving complex problems
• Critical thinking
• B&W photography
• Getting a head-start on your college degree of choice
• Project management
• Gardening
• Baking
• Creating a small business
• Basic accounting
• Learning another language

?? Let's do this! Create a gardening training course

I want to keep this article generic, so let's stick with a gardening training course. Also, I will be using ChatGPT, but if you use Claude, Gemini, Copilot, or some other AI preference, your results will vary slightly, but the approach is the same.

?? Introducing the needs assessment prompt

As I am sure you know from my prompting article, you should be as specific as possible about what you want. In my case, I don't know anything about gardening, but I want to focus on planting herbs and vegetables, specifically in San Francisco.

Let's design a needs assessment prompt where ChatGPT will ask us more questions to build my training course.

Prompt: I want to learn about gardening vegetables in the San Francisco climate. I do not know where to start, but I want you to create a training course for me. Please ask me one question at a time as to what you need and then build the course material for me.

AI: That sounds like a fantastic project! Gardening in San Francisco’s unique climate can be very rewarding, and I’m excited to help you get started. To create a tailored training course, I’ll need to ask you a few questions to understand your goals and preferences better. Question 1: What is your current level of gardening experience? For example, are you a complete beginner, have you dabbled in gardening before, or do you have some experience with other types of gardening (e.g., flowers, indoor plants)?

And so on..

Rather than list out all the questions and answers, a little magic occurred. For example, ChatGPT asked about my backyard, and I mentioned it is paved. Therefore, it assumed I would want to use pots or a raised garden, which I never asked for but is correct. Here is the final output for my training course (edited for brevity):

Vegetable Gardening in San Francisco for Beginners

This course aims to equip beginner gardeners with the essential knowledge and skills needed to successfully grow a variety of easy-to-maintain vegetables in a paved, western-facing backyard using container gardening methods. By the end of the course, participants will be able to select appropriate vegetables for San Francisco's climate, prepare and plant containers, and care for their garden to achieve a productive harvest with minimal maintenance.

Module 1: Introduction to Container Gardening

• Lesson 1.1: Benefits of Container Gardening in Urban Spaces
• Lesson 1.2: Choosing the Right Containers
• Lesson 1.3: Soil Preparation

Module 2: Selecting Vegetables for Your Garden

• Lesson 2.1: Best Vegetables for San Francisco's Climate
• Lesson 2.2: Planning Your Garden Layout
• Lesson 2.3: Seed Selection and Planting

Module 3: Caring for Your Vegetable Garden

• Lesson 3.1: Watering Techniques
• Lesson 3.2: Fertilizing Your Garden
• Lesson 3.3: Managing Pests and Diseases

Module 4: Harvesting and Maintenance

• Lesson 4.1: When and How to Harvest Your Vegetables
• Lesson 4.2: Ongoing Garden Maintenance

At this point, I could move on and start my course. To do that, type your prompt!

Me: Perfect! Let's start lesson 1.1 now!

In my case, ChatGPT shared an overview of the benefits of container gardening, including space efficiency, water conservation, and much more. It was very informative. I can ask follow-up questions and discuss each topic in more detail if I want to.

?? Check out my section on hallucinations to learn a better way to take each lesson.

?? AI can generate your homework

While you could prompt the AI to give you pre-written Homework, sometimes you are good with a topic. Other times, you should do some additional homework. You can ask the AI to do that as well.

Here are some prompts you can use:

Book prompt: I am fascinated by the topic of managing the pH balance in soil. What are one or two books I can read on the topic that do not require I have an advanced degree?

App prompt: I understand the need to track seasonality. I worry keeping a log won't be enough for me. Are there any apps I can use on my iPhone to help with that?

Herb garden prompt: Are there any herbs I can grow year-round that will be easy to maintain?

??Some AI tools, like ChatGPT, can be a year or more out of date. While gardening may be reasonably static, other skills may not be. Use a search engine, a local library, or forums to find the latest reference material.

?? Quizzes and exams

Nearly any course you take with a teacher will ask questions to ensure you understand the topic. As I share in the following prompts, you can simulate that experience by asking your AI teacher to test you.

Prompt: Quiz me on container gardening. One question at a time please, then give me a score.

AI: Let's get started! Here is question 1... answer a, b, c, or d...

Prompt: Have me write up what I learned for a final exam on this lesson. I will share the response at a later date. Go ahead and tell me what I need to do.

AI: For your final exam on Lesson 1.1, you'll write a brief essay (300-500 words) summarizing what you learned about the benefits of container gardening, particularly in urban settings like your paved backyard. Start with an introduction to container gardening, then discuss its key benefits—such as flexibility, control over soil quality, and ease of maintenance—and how these apply to your situation. Reflect on why container gardening is ideal for San Francisco's climate, and conclude with a personal reflection on how this knowledge will influence your gardening plans. Once done, you can share your write-up for feedback.

Later, you can copy and paste your final work. Since you might have interacted with the AI between then, here is the prompt you should use:

Prompt: Here is my response to the final exam for Lesson 1.1. Please review and grade it. [copy and paste or upload your work]

AI: Overall, you did a great job, but here are some things you need to work on...

?? You can take a photo with your phone if you write your answers with pen and paper. Most AI chatbots can read your handwriting and still analyze your work.

?? Avoid these three common pitfalls

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In this section, I cover three common pitfalls to avoid.

1. ??? AI might seem like an expert, but do not assume it is
2. ??? In some cases, learn but don't do
3. ??????? Hallucinations can happen

??? AI might seem like an expert, but don't assume it is

While learning how to write my little cats vs. dogs AI machine learning model, ChatGPT had me write some software code. The code did not always work for various reasons. The primary reason was that ChatGPT did not possess the skills to complete the task as I got into advanced and targeted scenarios.

The good news is that tech companies are in an AI race, so the models are improving. While working on this article, I went back and asked some of the questions ChatGPT could not answer previously, and now it answers them without issue.

Always remember this rule: An AI chatbot will always try to respond to your question with an answer. Sometimes, that desire to give a response will result in sub-optimal or even incorrect answers.

??? In some cases, learn but don't do

If you are taking a course to learn about a topic in fields where you or someone else could be in danger, seek out professionals or wait until you formally receive a degree, license, apprenticeship, or whatever is required.

? Learn and do examples

• Gardening
• Sewing
• Software programming tutorials
• Communication skills

???? Learn and do not do

• Construction
• Surgery
• Wiring or rewiring your house

Most AI tools will avoid the risk of telling you to do dangerous things, but they will help you understand the topic.

Always ask yourself, "Am I about to put myself or someone else at risk?" If your answer is not a firm "No," seek guidance from a professional.

Don't forget that AI can also help you in that "No" case. Here is an example:

Prompt: I took a course to learn how to clean my fireplace, but I wonder if I should be doing that. Can you tell me what I should do?

AI: Cleaning your fireplace yourself can be cost-effective and satisfying, especially if you've taken a course on it, but it’s important to weigh the risks. Creosote buildup, a major fire hazard, requires thorough removal, which demands proper tools and experience. While doing it yourself might save money, it’s a physically demanding task and may not be as thorough as a professional cleaning. Moreover, regular professional inspections are crucial for safety, particularly if your home insurance requires it. If you’re confident and equipped, you can clean it yourself, but consider starting with a professional cleaning for safety and peace of mind.

??????? Hallucinations can happen

Anytime you have a long, drawn-out conversation with an AI chatbot, it might provide some, shall we say, questionable answers, and we call those hallucinations. There are many reasons hallucinations can occur, but in general, it is because it cannot keep track of all the details of your chat.

Here is the best way to take a course:

1. Create a new chat to start your course design
2. If you converse in the chat and make modifications, type the following prompt: Please give me the final course outline with objectives. Number each lesson.
3. Start a new chat for each lesson, starting with copying and pasting the summary you created in the previous chat.
4. Once a lesson is complete, ask for another summary in a few paragraphs.
5. To start the second, third, and fourth lessons, begin yet another new chat with the summaries from the previous chats.

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Dr. Deborah Chen provided editing services for this article.