The Art of the Ask - He Tapatahi o te Pātai

Prompt engineering is the skill of crafting effective inputs (prompts) to guide a Large Language Model towards a desired output. It's like being a great director for a very talented but very literal actor - the clearer your instructions, the better the performance.

Te Ao Māori Connection

In Māori communication traditions, clarity and respect are fundamental. When we interact with AI, we bring these same values - clear intent, respectful language, and understanding that words have power (mana).

The Four Pillars of Effective Prompting

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1. Be Specific and Clear

❌ Poor: "Write about dogs."
✅ Better: "Write a 100-word paragraph about the loyalty of golden retrievers, in a warm and friendly tone suitable for Year 7 students."
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2. Provide Context

❌ Poor: "Explain the Treaty."
✅ Better: "I am a Year 12 student writing an essay on the Treaty of Waitangi for NCEA Level 2 History. Please explain the key provisions of the Treaty from both Māori and Crown perspectives."
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3. Assign a Persona

❌ Poor: "What caused the New Zealand Wars?"
✅ Better: "Act as a professional historian specializing in 19th century New Zealand. Explain the multiple causes of the New Zealand Wars, including different perspectives from Māori and European viewpoints."
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4. Use Examples (Few-Shot Prompting)

❌ Poor: "Translate to Te Reo Māori."
✅ Better: "Translate the following from English to Te Reo Māori, following this pattern:
Hello → Kia ora
Goodbye → Haere rā
Thank you → ?"

Advanced Prompting Strategies

Chain of Thought Prompting

Encourage the AI to show its reasoning process step by step.

Example: "Let's work through this math problem step by step. First, identify what we know..."

Role-Based Prompting

Have the AI take on specific professional or cultural perspectives.

Example: "Respond as a Māori educator who specializes in traditional navigation techniques..."

Constraint Setting

Set clear boundaries and limitations for the response.

Example: "In exactly 150 words, using language appropriate for Year 9 students..."

Cultural Sensitivity in Prompting

🌿 Respecting Indigenous Knowledge

When asking about Māori or other indigenous topics, acknowledge the cultural significance and ask for culturally appropriate responses.

"Please explain traditional Māori navigation methods with appropriate cultural respect and acknowledgment of mātauranga Māori."

🤝 Inclusive Language

Use inclusive pronouns and language that represents diverse perspectives.

"Explain this concept using examples that would be relevant to students from diverse cultural backgrounds."

⚖️ Balanced Perspectives

For historical or controversial topics, explicitly ask for multiple viewpoints.

"Present both Māori and European perspectives on this historical event, noting areas of agreement and disagreement."

Practice Activity: Prompt Makeover

Instructions: Rewrite these weak prompts using the techniques you've learned.

Weak Prompt #1:

"Tell me about climate change."

Your Improved Version:

[Write your improved prompt here - consider: Who is your audience? What specific aspect? What tone? What perspective?]

Weak Prompt #2:

"Write a story."

Your Improved Version:

[Write your improved prompt here]

Ethical Considerations

Before You Prompt, Ask Yourself:

  • Am I asking for something that respects cultural protocols?
  • Could my prompt lead to biased or harmful outputs?
  • Am I being transparent about using AI assistance?
  • Does my prompt encourage critical thinking rather than just accepting AI responses?
  • Am I considering data sovereignty and privacy implications?

Curriculum Connections

Digital Technologies

  • Human-computer interaction principles
  • Understanding AI system capabilities and limitations
  • Digital citizenship and responsible AI use

English/Literacy

  • Clear and effective communication
  • Purpose, audience, and context in writing
  • Critical evaluation of information sources