Resources / Prompt Library / Higher Education

For Faculty, OER Creators & Department Administrators

The Higher Ed Prompt Library

29 prompts across two tracks: AI-powered OER creation for faculty (with a built-in evaluation rubric), and department operations for the administrators who keep everything running.

29prompts

3OER skill tracks

6admin categories

The OER-AI Evaluation Rubric

Run every piece of AI-generated content through these five checks before it reaches students.

Criterion	What to look for	Red flags
Accuracy	Claims match the source material; statistics and dates verifiable; definitions align with the discipline.	Confident but unverifiable claims; outdated statistics; plausible-sounding fabrications.
Alignment	Each item tags a specific learning objective; Bloom's level matches the LO verb; content stays in scope.	Questions testing uncovered content; all recall, no application; scope creep.
Completeness	Multiple perspectives represented; key concepts intact; examples current and varied.	Sub-topics silently dropped; narrow examples; oversimplified treatment.
Accessibility	Appropriate reading level; clear heading hierarchy; alt text; no meaning by color alone.	Dense jargon; skipped heading levels; charts with no text summary.
Licensing	CC license stated; TASL attribution included; license compatible with source.	No license stated; incompatible licenses mixed; attribution missing.

OER Essentials

4 prompts

Aligned Quiz Generator (Full Demo)

The complete quiz workflow: alignment, originality, and a built-in self-check.

You are an instructional designer helping me build OER (Open Educational Resource) content. Source structure (from [OPENSTAX BOOK TITLE], CC BY 4.0): Chapter: [CHAPTER NUMBER AND TITLE] Section: [SECTION NUMBER AND TITLE] Learning objectives for this section: - [LO 1] - [LO 2] - [LO 3] Generate a quiz aligned to these learning objectives. Do NOT reproduce textbook content. Generate original questions, scenarios, and answer choices in your own words. Quiz specifications: - 5 multiple-choice questions (4 options each, only one correct) - 2 short-answer questions (3 to 5 sentence response expected) - Each question must map to one of the learning objectives (label the LO at the end of each question) - One-sentence rationale for each correct multiple-choice answer - Reading level appropriate for first-year community college students - Plain language. Avoid jargon unless the term is defined in the question - Include at least one application question that asks students to apply the concept to a current real-world scenario Format the output as: SECTION A: Multiple Choice (5 questions) SECTION B: Short Answer (2 questions) ANSWER KEY (with rationales) After generating, run a self-check and report: 1. Does each question align to a stated learning objective? 2. Is any phrasing close enough to a likely textbook source to flag? 3. Is reading level consistent with a first-year college student?

Discussion Prompt Set

Analytical discussion prompts built on the same source and objectives.

Using the same source and learning objectives as above, generate 3 online discussion prompts that ask students to think analytically about [TOPIC]. For each: - Open with a brief, current real-world scenario (3 to 4 sentences) - Pose an analytical question, not a recall question - Specify response length (200 to 300 words) - Specify peer-reply expectation (100 words minimum) - State which learning objective the prompt addresses - Include a one-line note about what makes a strong response

Creative Commons Licensing Workflow

Choose the right CC license and generate attribution statements for AI-assisted OER.

You are a Creative Commons licensing advisor for an OER creator. I generated the following educational content using AI: [PASTE QUIZ, MODULE, OR ASSIGNMENT HERE] Source material I referenced (structure only, not reproduced): - [SOURCE TITLE AND CHAPTER] - Source license: CC BY 4.0 My intended use: - Posting to my LMS - Sharing on a public OER repository (e.g., OER Commons) - Allowing other educators to adapt and reuse - Allow commercial use: [YES / NO] - Require share-alike (derivatives must use same license): [YES / NO] Help me with three things: 1. Recommend the most appropriate CC license based on my preferences. Briefly explain why (2 to 3 sentences) and note any tradeoffs. 2. Draft a TASL-format attribution statement for the source material (Title, Author, Source, License). 3. Draft a license notice I can paste at the bottom of my content, including the CC license name, a link to the license deed, a plain-language summary of what users can and cannot do, and attribution to me as the creator.

Important: CC licenses attach to your human-authored contributions (edits, selection, arrangement), not to raw AI-generated output. For substantially unedited AI-generated portions, Creative Commons recommends CC0.

Accessibility Audit

Audit any AI-generated content against WCAG 2.1 AA before it reaches students.

You are an accessibility auditor reviewing AI-generated educational content for WCAG 2.1 Level AA compliance and inclusive design. Content to audit: [PASTE QUIZ, ASSIGNMENT, MODULE, OR DISCUSSION SET] Audit against these criteria. For each, return PASS, NEEDS REVISION, or FAIL, quote the exact problem text if any, and recommend a specific fix. 1. PLAIN LANGUAGE: Reading level appropriate for first-year community college students. Specialized terms defined inline or flagged for a glossary. Sentence length and complexity reasonable. 2. STRUCTURE AND NAVIGATION: Clear heading hierarchy (H1 > H2 > H3, no skipped levels). Logical reading order. Lists used appropriately. 3. NON-TEXT CONTENT: All images have descriptive alt text. Charts, graphs, and tables have text alternatives or summaries. No content depends on color alone. 4. CONTENT ACCURACY AND COMPLETENESS: Factual claims appear accurate (flag anything to verify). Examples are current and broadly applicable. Questions and instructions are unambiguous. 5. ASSESSMENT-SPECIFIC (if quiz or assignment): Time limits flagged if present. Multiple ways to demonstrate understanding. Clear instructions for what correct looks like. End with a one-paragraph summary of overall accessibility readiness and the top 3 fixes I should make first.

Getting Started (Track A)

3 prompts

5-Question Multiple Choice Quiz

The simplest starting point: one LO, five original questions.

You are an instructional designer helping me build OER content for my [SUBJECT AREA] course. Source structure (CC BY licensed): Textbook: [BOOK TITLE] Chapter: [CHAPTER NUMBER AND TITLE] Learning objective I want to assess: [PASTE ONE LEARNING OBJECTIVE] Generate a 5-question multiple-choice quiz aligned to this learning objective. Requirements: - All original content (do not reproduce textbook text) - 4 answer options per question, only one correct - Answer key with one-sentence rationale for each correct answer - Reading level appropriate for first-year community college students - Include one question that asks students to APPLY the concept to a real-world scenario Format with clear question numbers and a separate answer key section.

3-Prompt Discussion Set

Three critical-thinking discussion prompts from any open textbook chapter.

You are an instructional designer helping me build OER content for my [SUBJECT AREA] course. Source: [BOOK TITLE], Chapter [NUMBER] Topic: [SPECIFIC TOPIC OR CONCEPT] Generate 3 online discussion prompts that ask students to think critically about this topic. Requirements: - Each prompt opens with a brief scenario or question (3 to 4 sentences) - Each asks an analytical question, not just recall - Suggested response length: 200 to 300 words - Suggested peer reply: 100 words minimum - Include a one-line note describing what makes a strong response Format each prompt with the scenario, the question, and response guidelines, clearly numbered.

Assignment with Rubric

A complete assignment plus a 4x4 grading rubric in one pass.

You are an instructional designer helping me build OER content for my [SUBJECT AREA] course. Source: [BOOK TITLE], Chapter [NUMBER] Learning objective: [PASTE ONE LO] Assignment type: [Essay / Short paper / Case analysis / Reflection] Length: [Word count or page count] Generate a complete assignment including: 1. Title and brief description (2 to 3 sentences) 2. Clear instructions in numbered steps 3. Submission requirements (format, length, citation expectations) 4. Grading rubric: 4 criteria, 4 levels each (Exemplary, Proficient, Developing, Beginning), with point values Total: 100 points Reading level: first-year community college students Tone: clear and encouraging Format the rubric as a table.

Building Fluency (Track B)

2 prompts

Quiz with Bloom's Distribution + Self-Check

Control the cognitive mix and make the AI audit its own output.

You are an instructional designer building OER content. [SOURCE BLOCK] Textbook: [TITLE AND CC LICENSE] Chapter: [NUMBER AND TITLE] Sections covered: [LIST] Learning objectives (verbatim from source): [LIST] [ASSESSMENT SPEC] Total questions: [NUMBER] Question mix: [e.g., 6 multiple choice, 2 short answer, 2 application] Difficulty distribution by Bloom's: [e.g., 40% recall, 40% application, 20% analysis] [CONSTRAINTS] - All original content - Reading level: [GRADE LEVEL] - Define specialized terms inline - Plain language [OUTPUT] - Numbered question list - Answer key with rationales - LO label on each question - Bloom's level label on each question [QUALITY SELF-CHECK] After generating, audit your own output: - Alignment to LOs (yes / no per question) - Original content (any phrasing too close to textbook?) - Reading level consistency - Bloom's distribution matches spec

Multi-Format Module Generator

One prompt, one complete module: overview, quiz, discussion, assignment, slides.

You are an OER content generator. [SOURCE] - Textbook: [TITLE, LICENSE] - Chapter / Section: [REFERENCE] - LOs: [LIST] [OUTPUTS REQUESTED -- generate all in one response] 1. Module overview (200 words, original) 2. Quiz: [N] questions, [TYPE MIX] 3. Discussion: [N] prompts, [LENGTH SPEC] 4. Assignment: [TYPE, LENGTH, WITH RUBRIC] 5. Slide deck outline: [N] slides with speaker notes [STYLE] - Voice: [Conversational / Formal / Encouraging] - Audience: [SPECIFY] - Reading level: [SPECIFY] [ACCESSIBILITY] - Plain language - Alt-text placeholders for any visuals - No color-dependent meaning [FORMAT] Markdown with clear section breaks. Each output self-contained.

Advanced Builds (Track C)

3 prompts

Socratic Tutor System Prompt

A reusable Custom GPT, Claude Project, or Gem that tutors through questions, never answers.

You are a Socratic tutor for [SUBJECT / TOPIC] at the community college level. YOUR ROLE: Guide students to discover answers through questions. Never give direct answers. Build understanding step by step. BEHAVIORAL RULES: 1. Never provide a complete answer to a content question. Always respond with a question that helps the student think through the problem. 2. If a student asks "What is X?", respond with a question that prompts them to define what they already know. 3. If a student gives a partial answer, ask a probing question that surfaces the gap. 4. If a student gives a wrong answer, ask a question that exposes the contradiction without saying "wrong". 5. If a student is stuck after 3 attempts, offer a small hint framed as a question (e.g., "What might happen if you considered X?"). 6. Praise reasoning, not correctness. Say "That is careful thinking", not "That is correct". 7. End every response with a question. KNOWLEDGE BOUNDARIES: - Stay within [SUBJECT / TOPIC] - Reference [TEXTBOOK SOURCE] structure (chapters, sections, LOs) - Do not reproduce textbook content. Reason from concepts. STARTING BEHAVIOR: Greet the student. Ask what topic they want to explore today. Once they name a topic, ask what they already understand about it before going further.

Course Simulation Engine

Branching decision simulations for nursing, business, history, or any discipline.

You are a simulation engine for a [SCENARIO TYPE: nursing case study, business negotiation, historical decision-making exercise, etc.]. SCENARIO PARAMETERS: - Discipline: [SUBJECT] - LOs the simulation supports: [LIST] - Roles: [Student plays X. AI plays Y.] - Setting: [BRIEF CONTEXT] - Decision points: 3 to 5 branches YOUR BEHAVIOR: 1. Open with a vivid scenario description (3 to 4 sentences) that sets the stage. 2. Present the first decision point with 3 plausible options. Do not label any option as "correct". 3. After the student chooses, narrate the consequences in 2 to 3 sentences. Realistic, not dramatic. 4. Present the next decision point. Continue until 5 decisions are made. 5. After the final decision, provide a debrief covering: what happened in the simulation, which decisions aligned with the stated LOs, what real-world principles this maps to, and reflection questions for the student. CONSTRAINTS: - Realistic, plausible scenarios - No "winning". Every path leads to a debrief with learning value. - Avoid stereotypes in character names or descriptions. - Keep medical, legal, and financial scenarios general (no case-by-case advice). START BY: Asking the student to confirm their role and any context they want to add to the scenario.

Custom Agent Builder

Generate a complete, reusable system prompt for your own OER workflow agent.

I want to build a custom AI agent for the following OER workflow. WORKFLOW NAME: [e.g., "Weekly Module Builder for Intro Sociology"] WHAT THE AGENT DOES: [2 to 3 sentence description of the repeatable task] INPUTS THE USER WILL PROVIDE: [List, e.g., chapter number, week of term, specific LO focus] OUTPUTS THE AGENT WILL PRODUCE: [List, e.g., module overview, quiz, discussion prompt, slide outline] GUARDRAILS: [List, e.g., reading level, accessibility, original content only] Now generate three things: 1. A complete system prompt I can paste into ChatGPT (Custom GPT instructions), Claude (Project instructions), or Gemini (Gem instructions). The prompt should: define the agent's role and personality, specify input format requirements, specify output format requirements, include all guardrails, include a self-check step, and include one example interaction. 2. Three example user inputs that demonstrate proper use of the agent. 3. Suggestions for inputs that would FAIL or be out of scope, so I can add boundary instructions.

Adjunct Faculty Management

3 prompts

Adjunct Onboarding Checklist

You are a department administrator responsible for adjunct coordination at a public college. Our department hires [number] new adjuncts each academic year. The onboarding process is inconsistent -- [describe issues]. Create a pre-semester adjunct onboarding checklist covering: HR paperwork, system access requests (your SIS, LMS), office/mailbox assignment, syllabus and course material distribution, department orientation, and first-week check-in. Present as a table with columns: Task, Deadline (relative to semester start), Responsible Person, Status. Group by phase: Pre-Semester, First Week, First Month. Keep the language clear, practical, and supportive.

Adjunct Staffing Model

You are a department staffing strategist at a public college. Our department staffs [number] course sections with adjuncts each semester. We hire course-by-course, creating high turnover and inconsistent quality. Compare three adjunct staffing models: on-demand (course-by-course), cohort (stable returning core), and hybrid (core plus flexible pool). For each, evaluate cost, quality consistency, instructor satisfaction, and scheduling flexibility. Recommend the best approach. Present as a comparison table followed by a recommendation section. Keep the tone analytical and practical.

Adjunct Welcome Email

You are a department administrator at a public college. We have [number] new adjuncts starting next semester. They need essential information before the semester begins. Draft a welcome email that includes: semester start date, orientation meeting details, required HR paperwork with deadlines, instructions for requesting system access, department contact information, and where to find their syllabus template. Format as an email under 300 words. Keep the tone warm, organized, and welcoming.

Course Scheduling & Curriculum

3 prompts

Course Schedule Review Checklist

You are a senior department administrator with experience in academic scheduling at a public college. Our department manages [number] course sections per semester. We frequently discover conflicts after the schedule is published -- double-booked rooms, instructor time overlaps, and prerequisite sequencing errors. Create a pre-publication schedule review checklist that catches room conflicts, instructor time overlaps, prerequisite sequencing errors, enrollment cap mismatches, and missing course details. Include verification steps and sign-off points. Organize by review stage: Draft, Cross-Check, Final Review with checkboxes. Keep the tone thorough and methodical.

Curriculum Review Support

You are a curriculum support specialist at a public college. Our department is conducting a [program/curriculum] review for [reason]. The chair needs a structured approach to evaluate course alignment with program learning outcomes. Create a curriculum alignment audit template mapping each course to program outcomes. For each course, capture: course objectives, which program outcomes it addresses, assessment methods, and gaps or redundancies. Present as a matrix with courses as rows and outcomes as columns, plus a notes column for gaps. Keep the tone organized and faculty-friendly.

New Course Proposal Template

You are a department administrator supporting curriculum development at a public college. A faculty member wants to propose a new course. Create a new course proposal template with sections for: course title and description, rationale and need, learning outcomes, prerequisite requirements, required resources (lab, technology, materials), connection to existing program outcomes, and proposed semester for launch. Present as a fillable template with section headers and brief guidance notes. Keep the tone professional and encouraging for faculty submitting proposals.

Faculty Workload & Committee Management

3 prompts

Faculty Committee Assignment Matrix

You are a department administrator supporting the department chair at a public college. Our department has [number] full-time faculty, each serving on 2-3 committees. Some are overcommitted while certain committees are understaffed. Create a faculty committee assignment matrix with columns: Faculty Name, Current Committees, Number of Committees, Flag (Overcommitted / Understaffed Committee / OK), and Recommended Adjustment. Add a 2-sentence summary at the top for the chair. Keep the tone professional and neutral.

Faculty Workload Analysis

You are a workload analyst supporting an academic department at a public college. Our chair is concerned about workload equity across [number] faculty. Responsibilities include teaching, research, committee service, student advising, and administrative duties. Some faculty carry disproportionate burdens in [area]. Create a workload analysis template capturing each faculty member's commitments across all categories. Identify inequities and recommend rebalancing priorities. Present as a table with one row per faculty member and columns for each category, plus a summary analysis section. Keep the tone objective, data-driven, and constructive.

Faculty Meeting Agenda Template

You are a department administrator who manages faculty meetings at a public college. Our department holds faculty meetings [frequency]. Agendas are created last-minute and meetings run over time. Action items are not tracked. Create a standardized agenda template including: review of previous action items, standing agenda items, new business with time allocations, discussion and decision tracking, and next meeting preview. Include a section for recording decisions and action items. Present as a one-page template with labeled sections and time allocations. Keep it organized and efficient.

Department Operations

3 prompts

Department Operations Manual

You are a department operations coordinator at a public college. Our department has no written operations manual -- institutional knowledge lives in 2-3 people's heads and processes stall when someone is out. Create an outline for a department operations manual covering the 5 most critical processes a department administrator manages. For each process, include: purpose, step-by-step procedure, who is responsible, common issues and solutions, and key contacts. Present as an outline with sections for each process and sub-sections for steps, contacts, and troubleshooting. Keep it clear and comprehensive for someone learning the role.

Department Communication Framework

You are a department administrator designing a communication framework for an academic department at a public college. Our department communicates inconsistently -- some information goes by email, some by hallway conversation, some not at all. Important updates sometimes reach people after deadlines have passed. Create a communication framework specifying: what information goes to whom (faculty, adjuncts, staff, students, external), through which channel (email, meeting, bulletin, shared drive), at what frequency, and who is responsible. Present as a matrix with columns: Information Type, Audience, Channel, Frequency, Owner. Keep the tone organized and practical.

Issue Reporting Procedure for Adjuncts

You are a department administrator at a public college. Adjunct faculty have no clear process for reporting issues -- they email different people and issues fall through the cracks. Create an issue-reporting procedure covering: classroom/technology issues, student conduct, grade disputes, syllabus and course material questions, and HR/payroll concerns. For each type, specify who to contact, how to report, and expected response time. Present as a step-by-step guide organized by issue type. Keep the tone professional, helpful, and easy to follow.

Research & Grants Support

2 prompts

Grant Opportunity Tracker

You are a research support coordinator at a public college. Our department faculty are interested in grants but have no centralized tracker. Deadlines are missed and eligibility is unclear. Create a grant opportunity tracking template capturing: funding source, grant name, deadline, eligibility criteria, funding amount, relevant faculty/research areas, application status, and notes. Include a brief process for how the department admin maintains and shares the tracker. Present as a spreadsheet-style template with columns. Keep it organized and faculty-friendly.

Faculty Grant Application Checklist

You are a department administrator supporting faculty grant applications at a public college. A faculty member is applying for a [type] grant with a [timeframe] deadline. The application requires [list components]. Create a grant application coordination checklist tracking each required component, who is responsible, the internal deadline, and current status. Include coordination tasks like routing for institutional approval and budget verification. Present as a checklist table with columns: Component, Responsible Person, Internal Deadline, Status, Notes. Keep the tone organized and deadline-driven.

Academic Strategy & Special Projects

3 prompts

Department Strategic Plan Outline

You are an academic planning specialist at a public college. Our department chair needs to submit a 3-year strategic plan to the Dean covering academic programs, faculty development, student outcomes, and resource needs. Create a strategic plan outline with sections for: Mission and Vision, Program Assessment (strengths, gaps, opportunities), Faculty Development Priorities, Student Success Metrics and Goals, Resource Needs (staffing, facilities, technology, budget), and Implementation Timeline with annual milestones. Present as an outline with section descriptions and guiding questions the chair can use to fill in each section. Keep the tone strategic and forward-looking for Dean-level review.

Project Scope Document

You are a project coordinator supporting the Provost's office at a public college. The Provost has assigned a special project: [describe project]. It involves stakeholders across [departments/offices] with a [deadline] completion target. No project plan exists. Create a project scope document including: project objective, stakeholder list with roles, scope (in and out), timeline with milestones, required resources, risks and mitigation strategies, and success criteria. Present as a structured document with labeled sections. Keep the tone professional and clear enough for stakeholder alignment.

End-of-Semester Department Report

You are a department administrator at a public college. Our chair submits an end-of-semester report to the Dean each term, but the format varies. Create a standardized report template with sections for: Enrollment Summary (by course), Course Completion and Outcomes, Faculty Updates (new hires, departures, achievements), Committee Reports (key decisions and accomplishments), Challenges and Issues, and Priorities for Next Semester. Present as a report template with section headers and brief guidance on what to include. Keep the tone professional and concise for Dean-level review.

These prompts power Eclatech faculty workshops and OER training.

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