You’ve probably used ChatGPT to brainstorm, draft, or summarize—but what if you could teach it to think with you?
“Prompt Engineering for ChatGPT,” created by Vanderbilt University and offered through SchoolDay Academy (powered by Coursera), helps educators, leaders, and lifelong learners move beyond basic AI use and into true collaboration with generative technology.
Taught by Dr. Jules White, one of the world’s foremost experts in applied AI and a top-rated Vanderbilt instructor, this course has transformed how more than half a million learners interact with ChatGPT.
In just two weeks, you’ll learn how to write smarter prompts, unlock deeper reasoning from AI, and apply it all to your classroom, curriculum, or career.
Because using AI isn’t the future anymore—it’s the skill of right now.
Why This Course Matters
Every educator and professional knows that technology changes fast—but AI is changing faster. The difference between users who simply ask ChatGPT questions and those who engineer their prompts is the difference between frustration and mastery.
This course equips you with the skills to use ChatGPT not just as a tool, but as a thinking partner—one that helps you plan lessons, generate assessments, model reasoning, or even design new learning experiences.
You’ll learn how to:
- Apply prompt engineering to guide large language models effectively.
- Use prompt patterns to tap into ChatGPT’s reasoning and creativity.
- Develop complex, multi-step prompts that create customized outputs for education, leadership, or personal productivity.
- Understand how AI interprets language and context—so you can get better results, faster.
Whether you’re a teacher, instructional designer, or district leader, mastering prompt engineering is now an essential professional skill.
What You’ll Learn
Module 1 – Foundations of Prompt Engineering
Learn what prompt engineering is, how ChatGPT processes instructions, and why phrasing and structure matter.
Module 2 – Prompt Patterns and Frameworks
Explore powerful prompt templates that make ChatGPT more accurate, creative, and reliable.
Module 3 – AI as a Collaborative Partner
See how prompts can help you co-design lessons, activities, and communications that fit your unique teaching or leadership goals.
Module 4 – Building Complex Prompts
Develop layered prompts that perform multiple steps—summarizing, generating, analyzing, and refining outputs.
Module 5 – Real-World Applications
Apply your skills to practical scenarios: curriculum design, student feedback, professional communication, or personal productivity.
Module 6 – Ethics and Responsible Use
Understand how to use AI responsibly and transparently in educational and professional contexts.
Course Details
- Time to Complete: ~20 hours (flexible, self-paced over two weeks)
- Modules: 6 comprehensive modules + 7 hands-on assignments
- Certificate: Shareable professional development credential
It’s an in-depth, highly practical course designed for educators and leaders who want to master the language of AI—literally.
Real-World Impact for Educators and Leaders
For teachers, this course offers strategies to use ChatGPT for lesson planning, differentiation, and interactive learning—all without sacrificing academic rigor or creativity.
For administrators and university faculty, it provides tools for strategic communication, policy drafting, and innovation planning—using AI as an accelerator for productivity and collaboration.
You’ll finish this course with:
- The ability to craft precise, high-quality AI prompts.
- A stronger understanding of how large language models “think.”
- Confidence to use AI ethically and effectively across educational settings.
- A clear framework for integrating AI into your daily workflow.
Prompt engineering is the new literacy—and this course helps you teach, lead, and innovate with it.
Why SchoolDay Academy Recommends This Course
At SchoolDay Academy, we believe that understanding AI starts with understanding language—and that every educator should be fluent in the language of prompts.
Prompt Engineering for ChatGPT stands out because it:
- Was created by Vanderbilt University, one of the top research institutions driving innovation in AI education.
- Is led by Dr. Jules White, a global thought leader in AI integration for teaching and learning.
- Helps educators use AI safely, strategically, and creatively in real-world contexts.
- Is included in the SchoolDay Academy annual subscription—just $149 per user, offering unlimited access to hundreds of curated, K–12 and higher-ed courses and certificates.
- Offers district and university bulk pricing as low as $100 per user, making it cost-effective to train entire teams in AI fluency.
At SDA, we make cutting-edge AI learning accessible and affordable—so every educator can keep pace with innovation.
Conclusion
The difference between average AI results and extraordinary ones is just a few words—the right prompt.
Start learning “Prompt Engineering for ChatGPT” today on SchoolDay Academy (powered by Coursera) and discover how to unlock the full potential of AI in your classroom, institution, or career.
Because those who know how to talk to AI will be the ones who shape how it’s used.