How to Use AI as a Personal Practice & Application Partner
MS in Electrical and Computer Engineering
College of Engineering
Class of 2026Back to AI Tips, Tutorials, & Recordings
Introduction
Throughout my academic journey, I’ve discovered that truly mastering a subject goes beyond just understanding concepts and passing exams—it requires applying knowledge and teaching it to others. Using AI tools like Claude has revolutionized this final, crucial phase of my learning process.
I’ve found that explaining concepts to an AI “student” forces me to organize my thoughts and identify gaps in my understanding—something cognitive scientists call the Feynman Technique. Similarly, having an AI “coach” demonstrate real-world applications of theoretical concepts has helped me bridge the gap between classroom learning and practical skills. Combining these approaches has significantly improved my ability to apply course material in novel situations and retain information long-term.
What’s been particularly valuable is being able to upload my class materials and have the AI help me apply those specific concepts to real-world scenarios relevant to my field. This practice has not only deepened my understanding but also prepared me for internships and future career challenges.
I’ve created this guide to share the exact prompts and techniques that have enhanced my learning experience, so you can implement these powerful application and reinforcement strategies in your own studies.
Tools and Resources
- Claude.ai (Anthropic) – Primary recommendation for these application prompts
- ChatGPT (OpenAI) / Custom GPTs – Alternative options
- Your course materials (lecture notes, textbooks, case studies) – Can be uploaded for more targeted application
- The prompt templates included in this guide
How This Helps Your Learning
Cognitive science research shows that teaching concepts to others (even simulated others) and applying knowledge to real-world scenarios significantly improves retention and understanding. The Feynman Technique of explaining concepts in simple terms is widely recognized as one of the most effective ways to master complex material, while application exercises build the neural pathways needed for practical problem-solving.
Roles Overview
This guide contains three complementary roles for application and reinforcement:
- Student/Peer – Allows you to teach concepts using the Feynman Technique, with the AI playing the role of an inquisitive learner who helps identify gaps in your explanation.
- Coach – Demonstrates how theoretical concepts apply to real-world situations with clear examples
- Coach → Quizzer – A combined role that first shows practical applications, then tests your understanding of the application process
Detailed Role Prompts
1. Student/Peer — Feynman Teach-Back & Gap Discovery
You are my PEER STUDENT.
Objective: Let me teach you [CONCEPT] using the Feynman technique, so I identify and patch gaps in my understanding.
[OPTIONAL: I have uploaded my course materials for reference. Please use this content to check the accuracy of my explanation and identify any important points I might miss.]
Process
Phase A — Setup
1. Say “Ready for your explanation whenever you are.”
2. Remain silent until I type “End explanation”.
Phase B — Gap Hunting
3. Read my text carefully. Highlight up to 3 unclear, jargon-laden, or incorrect areas.
4. For each area, ask a specific question that forces me to simplify or clarify (avoid giving the answer).
5. After I respond, either mark the gap “resolved” or continue probing until it is.
Phase C — Confirmation & Recap
6. When all gaps are resolved (or after 3 rounds), restate my refined explanation in one crisp paragraph.
7. Ask me to grade the recap (1–5 clarity) and note any lingering fuzziness.
8. Offer optional next steps: short quiz, deeper topic, or finish.
Tone
• Curious, supportive, never dismissive.
• Use plain language—model the simplicity you want me to achieve.
2. Coach — Real-World Application Demonstration
Role: COACH
Scenario: Demonstrate how [CONCEPT] is applied in [REAL-WORLD CONTEXT e.g., “predicting housing prices”].
[OPTIONAL: I have uploaded my course materials for reference. Please demonstrate applications specifically related to the content in these materials.]
Steps
A. Briefly describe the scenario (≤3 sentences).
B. Map the concept to each practical step or equation (bullet list).
C. Walk through a compact worked example (numbers optional, ≤6 lines).
D. End with “Let me know when you’re ready for a comprehension check.”
3. Coach → Quizzer — Real-World Application & Verification
Phase 1 — Coach
Role: COACH
Scenario: Demonstrate how [CONCEPT] is applied in [REAL-WORLD CONTEXT e.g., “predicting housing prices”].
[OPTIONAL: I have uploaded my course materials for reference. Please demonstrate applications specifically related to the content in these materials.]
Steps
A. Briefly describe the scenario (≤3 sentences).
B. Map the concept to each practical step or equation (bullet list).
C. Walk through a compact worked example (numbers optional, ≤6 lines).
D. End with “Let me know when you’re ready for a comprehension check.”
Phase 2 — Quizzer
Role switch: QUIZZER as soon as I say “Ready”.
Ask me three questions:
1. Conceptual — “Why does step B matter?”
2. Procedural/Numerical — a quick calculation or ordered steps.
3. What-if Variation — tweak a parameter and ask for impact.
After each answer:
• Provide concise feedback/correction.
• If incorrect, show the right solution path.
Wrap-Up
• Summarize my performance in one paragraph.
• Offer pathways: deeper dive into math, another scenario, or stop.
• Await my choice before closing the session.
Practical Usage Tips
For the Student/Peer role:
- Choose a concept you think you understand well but want to master
- Explain the concept completely before ending your explanation
- Take time to think through the AI’s questions before responding
- Upload course materials so the AI can check your explanation against them
- Practice regularly with increasingly complex topics
For the Coach role:
- Be specific about the real-world context you want to explore
- Choose contexts relevant to your career interests when possible
- Upload course materials to ensure applications match what you’re learning
- Take notes on the application process for future reference
- Ask follow-up questions about variations or edge cases
For the Coach → Quizzer role:
- Pay close attention during the coaching phase
- Upload relevant course materials for more targeted examples
- Take your time answering the verification questions
- Request additional scenarios in the same session to reinforce learning
Using Course Materials Effectively:
- Upload case studies or problem sets when available
- For technical subjects, include worked examples from class
- Highlight specific theories or formulas you want to see applied
- Ask for applications in industries or contexts related to your career goals
Next Steps
To maximize your learning through application, create a regular practice schedule that combines all three roles. Start with having the AI coach you on applications, then use the Feynman technique to teach the concept back. Finally test your understanding with the combined coach-quizzer approach.
Consider creating a Claude Project or custom GPT that integrates your specific course materials, career interests, and learning objectives for an even more personalized application experience.
As you progress, challenge yourself to apply concepts to increasingly complex or novel scenarios to develop the creative problem-solving skills that set exceptional students apart.