ChatGPT in Class: Generate Assignments in 3 Minutes

In recent years, the integration of artificial intelligence into education has moved from theory to daily practice. Among AI tools, ChatGPT stands out as a versatile assistant for educators, capable of streamlining lesson planning, resource creation, and—most notably—assignment generation. As European teachers seek to modernize their workflows and respond to evolving curricula, understanding how to leverage ChatGPT both efficiently and ethically is paramount.

The “Prompt Sandwich” Formula: Structure for Success

One of the most effective ways to harness ChatGPT for assignment creation is the “prompt sandwich” formula. This approach ensures clarity, precision, and adaptability in AI-generated tasks. The formula consists of three distinct layers:

Top Layer (Context): Briefly introduce the subject, topic, or learning objective. This sets the stage and guides ChatGPT towards relevant content.

Middle Layer (Instruction): Define the type of assignment required—essay, quiz, project, case study, etc.—and specify parameters such as length, complexity, and format.

Bottom Layer (Criteria): Outline assessment criteria, reference rubrics, or highlight specific skills and knowledge to be addressed.

Example of a prompt sandwich:

Context: You are a history teacher preparing a lesson on the Industrial Revolution for secondary school students.
Instruction: Generate a short-answer assignment (5 questions) that requires students to analyze causes and consequences.
Criteria: Ensure questions align with critical thinking skills as per the national curriculum, and include at least one question that encourages students to use primary sources.

Ten Subject-Specific Assignment Examples

To illustrate the versatility of the prompt sandwich, here are ten assignment prompts across different subjects, each crafted for rapid generation in ChatGPT:

1. Literature

Context: Exploring Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” in upper secondary school.
Instruction: Create an essay prompt inviting analysis of Lady Macbeth’s character development.
Criteria: Encourage use of textual evidence and alignment with the school’s analytical writing rubric.

2. Mathematics

Context: Introduction to quadratic equations for 10th graders.
Instruction: Generate a problem set of 8 questions, ranging from basic identification to real-life application.
Criteria: Ensure at least three questions promote problem-solving and reasoning, not just calculation.

3. Science

Context: Teaching photosynthesis to lower secondary students.
Instruction: Create a matching exercise linking scientific terms to their definitions.
Criteria: Align terms with the core vocabulary in the national science syllabus.

4. Foreign Languages

Context: German as a foreign language, focusing on travel vocabulary.
Instruction: Generate a dialogue-writing assignment for students to simulate booking a hotel.
Criteria: Address communicative competence and appropriate register, referencing the CEFR A2 level.

5. Geography

Context: Studying climate zones in Europe.
Instruction: Produce a case study assignment comparing Mediterranean and continental climates.
Criteria: Require students to use data interpretation skills and visual aids.

6. Art

Context: Exploring Impressionism with secondary students.
Instruction: Create a creative project prompt: students reinterpret a famous Impressionist painting using digital tools.
Criteria: Encourage reflections on technique and colour, with reference to the national art standards.

7. History

Context: World War II: Causes and impacts.
Instruction: Generate a timeline-building assignment with five significant events.
Criteria: Ensure students provide brief explanations and references for each event.

8. Physical Education

Context: Health and fitness for adolescents.
Instruction: Create a self-assessment worksheet for tracking weekly physical activity.
Criteria: Include SMART goal-setting and a reflection section.

9. Computer Science

Context: Introduction to coding with Python.
Instruction: Develop a project prompt: design a simple calculator program.
Criteria: Align with logical thinking and debugging skills, referencing the curriculum’s learning outcomes.

10. Social Studies

Context: Understanding democracy and civic participation.
Instruction: Create a debate assignment on the importance of voting in European elections.
Criteria: Require evidence-based arguments and respectful discourse, consistent with classroom guidelines.

Rubric Alignment: Ensuring Quality and Consistency

Assignment quality depends not only on content but also on alignment with assessment criteria. When using ChatGPT, clarity in your prompts about rubrics and standards is essential. AI-generated assignments can be tailored to reflect local, national, or European frameworks by including explicit references to:

• Learning outcomes or competences (e.g., Bloom’s Taxonomy, CEFR levels)
• Assessment dimensions such as critical thinking, creativity, or collaboration
• Scoring guidelines (e.g., points per section, descriptors for excellence)

For example, when instructing ChatGPT to generate a rubric-aligned task, you might specify:

“Design an assignment on renewable energy, ensuring that tasks evaluate students’ ability to synthesize information from multiple sources, as required by the European Science Framework for Key Competence 2.”

Tip: After generating an assignment, use ChatGPT again to draft an accompanying rubric. This practice supports transparency and fairness in assessment.

Plagiarism and Academic Integrity: Navigating New Terrain

While ChatGPT accelerates assignment creation, it also introduces new considerations regarding originality and plagiarism. AI can produce content that, while unique in its phrasing, may draw on widely available information or inadvertently mimic existing resources. To maintain academic integrity:

• Review generated assignments critically for similarity to existing materials.
• Encourage students to personalize their responses and reflect on their learning process.
• Educate students about responsible AI use and the importance of citing sources, even when using AI-generated suggestions.

“Although AI offers immense support, the teacher’s discernment remains irreplaceable. Use ChatGPT as a collaborator, not a substitute for your professional judgment.”

Best Practices for Safe and Effective AI Integration

European legislation, such as the proposed AI Act, reinforces the importance of transparency, accountability, and safety in AI deployment. As educators, it is vital to:

• Disclose the use of AI tools in resource creation where appropriate.
• Protect student data by avoiding the sharing of personal information with AI platforms.
• Stay informed about updates to national and EU-level guidance on digital education and AI ethics.

Consider developing a short digital literacy session for students, exploring how AI works, its benefits, and its limitations. This not only demystifies the technology but also empowers learners to engage with it critically and responsibly.

Empowering Teachers: From Task Automation to Pedagogical Innovation

Adopting AI tools like ChatGPT frees educators from repetitive tasks, allowing more time for meaningful interaction with students and professional growth. Still, the most impactful use of AI emerges when teachers experiment with creative, student-centered prompts and adapt assignments to their unique classroom context.

“The art of teaching lies not in the tools we use, but in the connections we forge—with knowledge, with our students, and with the future.”

By embracing the prompt sandwich formula, aligning tasks with clear rubrics, and upholding academic integrity, European teachers can confidently integrate ChatGPT into their practice. In doing so, they pave the way for a more responsive, inclusive, and innovative educational landscape, where artificial intelligence becomes a trusted partner in nurturing the next generation of thinkers and creators.