Levelling Up Your AI Use: The Power of Iteration

5 Nov

Introduction: Why Iteration Matters in AI for Teachers

Justice Louis Brandeis (1856–1941) famously said, “There is no great writing, only great rewriting.” Although he wasn't referring to AI, his words perfectly capture the iterative process teachers can use when working with AI prompts. The first response you get from an AI prompt is often just a draft. It’s helpful but rarely ideal for your exact needs. This is where iteration—the process of refining, revising, and adapting—comes in to create content that’s tailored to your students.

Understanding AI Iteration: Turning First Drafts into Great Content

When you receive an AI-generated output, think of it as a “first draft.” It’s usually directionally correct but often needs tweaking. By editing and adding specific instructions, you can transform this initial output into polished, effective classroom material. Here’s how you can use iteration to improve AI-generated content:

Request fewer words for brevity
Add more detail to deepen content
Specify clearer steps to guide students
Include multiple perspectives for a well-rounded view
Simplify vocabulary for younger or ESL learners
Ask for alternative explanations to aid understanding
Adapt for philosophical or ethical differences
Reformat information (e.g., bullet points or tables) for clarity

A Real-Life Example: Iterating AI in a Classroom Setting

To demonstrate the value of iteration, let’s look at a recent experience I had in my Grade 9 English class while introducing Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet.

As we approached the end of the period, I wanted to engage students in structured reflection. Using MyTeacherAide, I quickly generated a set of reflection questions. While the questions were solid, I realized they might be too complex for some students in the class.

The beauty of AI is that it’s incredibly easy to adjust. With a simple follow-up prompt, I asked, “Please make them simpler and give me five more options.” The AI provided additional, more accessible questions, perfectly suited for our discussion.

The Result: With just 40 seconds of prep, I was able to facilitate six minutes of independent reflection and four minutes of whole-class discussion. This simple act of iteration transformed a decent set of questions into a great teaching moment.

Key Takeaways for Teachers Using AI: Iteration Tips

Think of Prompts as Drafts
Remember that the first output is rarely perfect. Use it as a base, then refine to suit your class's unique needs.
Make Adjustments in Small Steps
Break down the changes you want. Ask for simpler words, additional explanations, or different perspectives as needed.
Keep a List of Useful Iterations
Have a go-to list of phrases or prompts, such as “make it simpler” or “reformat as a list.” This saves time and helps you quickly make adjustments.

Why Iteration Can Improve Teaching Effectiveness

AI isn’t about generating content once and moving on. It’s about creating a collaborative process where teachers can use AI as a supportive tool. By taking control of the final output, you ensure that materials meet pedagogical needs, engage students, and support diverse learning styles.

Ready to Experiment with Iteration?

Try incorporating iteration into your next lesson-planning session. Take an AI-generated draft and tweak it for better results. The small adjustments can make a significant difference in student engagement and understanding.

Share Your Insights

What iterations have worked well for you? Share your experiences with us—we’d love to hear about your progress and any unique iterations that have enhanced your teaching.

P.S. For easy text differentiation and quick resource generation, check out MyTeacherAide’s powerful AI tools with a free trial.

Start Your 7 Day Free Trial