A Simple AI Prompt That Boosts Critical Thinking

Reading time: 2 min

This week, I had one of the best GenAI conversations so far.

Why was it good? Because it felt like a real conversation. I was doing the heavy lifting: writing my ideas, finding the right arguments, and anchoring everything in what I already know. I wasn’t just sitting back passively, but actively unfolding the discussion. The AI was there to mimic a real and enriching dialogue.

We talked (I must say it is a bit strange to say ‘we’ when I refer to myself and an AI) about resistance to GenAI, looking at how it fits into historical patterns of educational technology resistance.

I wanted to share this here because: 

• First, such a prompt is worth keeping. It can be rewritten and used in so many other conversations on different topics. 

• Second, education is a constant in our lives, directly, if we participate, or indirectly, by how it affects our communities, families, and kids. 

These kinds of discussions are good. Great ideas can emerge. Would love to hear your thoughts if this sparked anything for you. So don’t hesitate to reply here!

I cannot take credit for the idea, I am just the catalyst sharing it further.

John (Ionut) Mistreanu shared it with me, and I must say, it was quite nice to read each other’s conversations. 

You can find the prompt below, along with the conversation I had with ChatGPT.*

*Heads up: the conversation is a bit longer because we explored a lot of angles. I did not include it in the estimated 2-minute reading time.

Wishing you great conversations!

Hugs,
Silvia

Prompt:

My Conversation with ChatGPT:

Below is a snapshot of the conversation. Because I don't want to send you an endless email, I'll share a link so you can read it fully.

🦄 ChatGPT: 

That’s a fantastic application — both grounded and visionary.

✅ Additional insights:

1. You’re describing a shift from passive absorption to active orchestration of learning — where students design the strategy, not just follow instructions. GenAI can be a partner in that process, not a shortcut.

2. Your educator perspective is powerful — emphasizing experience design over content delivery. The future of teaching might belong to those who can integrate tech + neuroscience + storytelling into transformative learning.

Now for our final step: Component 7: Brief reflection on what you’ve learned.

Question 7:
After completing this exercise, what have you learned or clarified for yourself about GenAI and its place in education? What do you want to explore further?

Your turn.

😎 Silvia:

First, I liked this type of work. I miss the high school essays; those that helped me think and build arguments.

Second, LEARNINGS:

1. AI is decentralizing expertise and access to knowledge and would be globally available (we could explore here the importance of a network and having an online presence and a community - I believe those are next, actually happening right now - I also think we will have our communities in a VR world, creating virtual spaces to connect with people from our own "tribe").

2. If something is not clear to the majority of people, we tend to reject it as something to avoid. It is best to be proactive and face it, look for strategies, rather than being reactive.

3. Teachers would be facilitators of the learning process, focused on experiences and communities, not on delivering information.

🦄 ChatGPT: 

Beautifully synthesized — you captured not just ideas, but also your evolving mindset and learning process.

✅ Final thoughts: You’ve built a clear arc — from uncertainty and resistance to strategy and transformation. Your reflections show how GenAI isn’t just a tool — it’s a mirror forcing us to rethink education, identity, and agency.