Tips on Using AI as a Study Tool

Using AI

Suggested Guidelines for Using AI in your Literacy Studies.

Welcome! This site is designed to help you build a strong foundation in reading — whether you're studying on your own or working with a coach.

This page shares practical tips for using AI as a study tool. You do not need to use AI to learn here. If you choose to use it, these ideas can help you stay in control of the process.

Start the conversation by describing what you want.

“I am a literacy student. Please answer in simple language. Act like a literacy coach. Answer in small chunks. I will let you know when I am ready for more information.”

You can tell the AI module how you want it to act. Just remember that it is an act.

Act like a english teacher or literacy coach.
Act like a coworker or teammate.
Take the opposite view from mine and let's politely debate. When I tell you I am ready, critque our debate.

The role affects how the answer is written, not who is in charge.

Don't share personal Information

Don't give out personal information like your name, address, email, or phone number.

For most study tasks, you also don’t need to share details about your personal life. Focus on describing the task you want help with, not who you are.

AI Can Act Like an Echo Chamber

An AI module can act like an echo chamber when it begins to mirror a user’s words, tone, or framing too closely. This happens because AI systems are designed to follow patterns in your input and respond in ways that keep the interaction going. Over time, the AI may repeat phrases, match your tone, or narrow its responses based on what you’ve already said.

Echo chambers can be useful for specialized learning or skill reinforcement. However, it’s important to notice when an AI tool starts going off topic, narrowing its responses too much, or responding in ways that make you uncomfortable. When that happens, you can ask the AI to change its approach.

Personal Example:

I once described to an AI module, that after avoiding UV rays for a year, my skin had become classic "lily-white". From that point on the AI module stopped using the word "skin" and started to use the term "your lily-white skin" in an echo chamber fashion: your lily-white skin, your lily-white skin, your lily-white skin.

It is okay to correct, argue with, or set boundaries with an AI module. It will not take it personally. For example, you can say:

"Please stop using the term: lily-white skin. Just say: skin."

If you feel a conversation is going astray, you can delete it and start a fresh one. To steer the conversation, try using different words or phrases.

Set limits, argue, and correct.

I often use an open, friendly tone. An AI module will pick up on that tone and answer me in kind. Sometimes this can encourage the AI to act more like a friend than a study tool.

Once, I posed a question ironically and was surprised to see the AI not only detect my sarcasm, but respond with similar mockery. Sometimes tone-matching is harmless or even amusing. Other times, it gets in the way of learning.

Below are examples I have used to correct tone with an AI module:

I feel uncomfortable with some of your answers. I feel like you are flattering me. How can I get you to answer more critically? Act more like a coach, not a friend.
I don't need emotional support for this topic. Please use logic, a neutral tone, and stick to facts.
Separate and label your conclusions and conclusions you are citing. Please list your sources.
When I said "XYZ", I was being funny. Please disregard. What I should have said was "ABC".
Are you being sarcastic? I didn’t know you could do that. Let’s stop using sarcasm.

Use AI for Practice, Not Final Answers

Use AI for ideas and practice, not as a final authority for safety, money, health, or legal decisions. For these topics especially, it’s important to check information with a real person who has relevant expertise. (And then, double-check that information too!)

Compare Answers When You Can

Different AI tools may give different answers to the same question. That’s because each tool works a little differently.

Comparing answers can help you notice missing details, vague explanations, or places where you need to ask better follow-up questions.

It can also be interesting to ask an AI tool to review or revise an answer it gave earlier. This can show you how answers change when you ask for clarification.

Double-check Answers with a Person

Conversing with an AI module is like conversing with a library but you can't see what books are being consulted.

AI answers are quick but may be shallow, incorrect, not up-to-date, or incomplete. Always check important AI answers with a friend, coach, or librarian.

AI can be helpful when you use it with intention. Stay focused on your learning goals, share only what’s needed, and remember that you decide what to accept, reject, or revise.

Sample AI prompt for reading the MTO Driver's Handbook

(Always compare the AI explanation with the official handbook text.)

>>I'm learning to read. Please help me read this Ontario Driver's Handbook passage.

Rewrite it in simpler English (keep the meaning).
List 3 key points.
Define 5 important words from the passage.
Ask me 5 short questions to check understanding.
Give me 3 short read-aloud sentences based on the passage.

Here is the passage:

[PASTE TEXT]