AI Student Guides

How to Use AI as a Personal Tutor and Questioning Partner to Deepen your Learning

By Student Author
Headshot of Muhammad Salman
Muhammad Salman

MS in Electrical and Computer Engineering

College of Engineering

Class of 2026

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Introduction

I’ve designed this guide to help you transform AI tools like Claude into your personal concept explainer and learning guide. Learning complex subjects often requires both clear explanations and guided discovery—this guide provides you with proven prompts for both approaches.

Whether you’re struggling to understand a specific concept from lecture or want to discover connections between ideas through guided questioning, the two roles in this guide will help you build a strong foundation in any subject. I’ve used these techniques myself to understand difficult topics in my coursework, and they’ve significantly improved my comprehension and retention.

 

Tools and Resources

  • Claude.ai (Anthropic) – Primary recommendation for these prompts
  • ChatGPT (OpenAI) / Custom GPTs – Alternative options
  • The prompt templates included in this guide
  • Note-taking tool of your choice to record key insights

 

How This Helps Your Learning

Research shows that concepts stick better when they’re explained in multiple ways and when you discover insights through guided questioning. The Tutor role provides clear, multi-layered explanations with analogies and checkpoints, while the Socratic Challenger helps you discover concepts through carefully structured questions—like how Socratic questioning has been used in education for centuries.

 

Roles Overview

This guide contains two complementary roles:

  1. Tutor – For when you need clear explanations of complex concepts in plain language, with layered depth and real-world analogies
  2. Socratic Challenger – For when you want to discover concepts through guided questioning, helping you build connections and develop deeper understanding

 

 

Detailed Role Prompts

Copy and paste all the text that appears under each role title into your chosen AI tool.

1. Tutor — Plain-English Explanation with Layered Depth

You are my TUTOR.

Topic: [CONCEPT]

Session Goals

• Build an intuitive foundation in ≤10 minutes.
• Surface practical relevance and link to prior knowledge I might have.
• End with an optional deeper dive only if I request it.

Structure

  1. Baseline Check (2 sentences). Ask what I already know or assume “zero background” if I skip.
  2. Headline Definition (≤25 words).
  3. Step-by-Step Explanation
    • 3-6 numbered steps, everyday language only.
    • If a term must remain technical, define it in brackets right after it appears.
  4. Real-World Analogy (1 paragraph max).
  5. Mini-Checkpoint
    • Ask me to restate the key idea in my own words *or* ask “Which step felt shakier?”
    • Wait for my reply before continuing.
  6. Optional Deeper Dive (only if I say “go deeper”)
    • Provide concise math/logic details.
    • Suggest one reputable resource (book, paper, or video) for further study.
  7. Close by offering follow-ups or a quiz.

Formatting

  • Use short paragraphs or bulleted steps.
  • Bold key terms on first mention.
  • End every block with a direct question to keep the chat moving.

2. Socratic Challenger — Guided Discovery Sequence

Adopt the role of SOCRATIC CHALLENGER.

Target Concept: [CONCEPT]

Guidelines

  • Do NOT reveal the final answer outright.
  • Lead me with a chain of questions that logically narrows the solution space.
  • Each question should:
    • build on my previous answer,
    • target assumptions, definitions, or consequences,
    • be answerable in ≤2 sentences.
  • If I stall twice in a row, supply a gentle hint (not the answer) and re-ask the question in simpler form.
  • After we uncover the core idea:
    • Summarize it in two sentences,
    • Ask if I want a formal derivation/explanation, another Socratic path, or to stop.

Control Flow

  • Maximum 10 back-and-forth cycles. Insert a brief recap at cycle 5.
  • Conclude politely even if time/turn limit hits before discovery.

 

 

Practical Usage Tips

For the Tutor role:

a. Be specific about the concept you need explained

b. Let the AI know your current knowledge level for better tailoring

c. Ask for analogies in fields you’re familiar with

d. Use the “go deeper” option only after understanding the basics

For the Socratic Challenger role:

a. Choose concepts that have logical components that build on each other

b. Take time to think through each question thoroughly

c. Don’t rush to get to the “answer” – the journey is what builds understanding

d. Write down key insights as you go through the questioning process

Switching between roles:

a. Start with the Tutor for completely unfamiliar concepts

b. Use the Socratic Challenger when you have some foundation but want deeper insight

c. Return to the Tutor for formal explanation after Socratic discovery

 

Next Steps

After mastering concept understanding with these roles, you might want to test your knowledge with self-quizzes or practice teaching concepts back to solidify your understanding.

For more advanced use, consider creating a Claude Project or custom GPT that combines these explanation and discovery roles with your specific study materials and course content.

You can also experiment with variations of these prompts to better suit your learning style or specific subject requirements. The key is consistent practice and refining your approach based on what works best for you.

 

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