Quick insights for a smarter digital life.

By Mrs Hudson-Findley (Director of Digital Learning, Enterprise and Sustainability)

Our new regular feature explores the tools, trends and ideas shaping how we live, learn and work in the digital age - from AI and screen time to sustainability and beyond.

If you’ve ever typed a question into ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot or Google Gemini and thought, “That’s not what I meant,” you’re not alone. The difference between a vague response and a genuinely useful one often comes down to how you talk to AI. This is known as prompt crafting - giving clear, contextual instructions that help AI understand what you need.

Start with role and context: instead of “write a letter,” try “act as a travel advisor planning a short family trip to Edinburgh” or “be a personal trainer designing a 20-minute home workout.” Add constraints and tone - for instance, “keep it upbeat and concise,” or “explain it as if to a 14-year-old.”

AI tools can also summarise, plan, and create: ask Gemini to condense a long article, Copilot to turn notes into an action list, or ChatGPT to draft meal plans based on dietary needs.

Remember - AI isn’t magic, it’s mimicry. The quality of what you get out depends on the clarity of what you put in. The best prompters don’t just ask - they collaborate, question, and refine.

“The future of digital fluency isn’t coding - it’s conversation.”