Skip to main content

AI Prompting Made Simple: The Educator’s Guide to the RODES Framework


As an MYP expert, I know your time is one of your most valuable, and often scarcest, resources. We champion inquiry-based learning, conceptual understanding, and the integration of Approaches to Learning (ATL) skills, but the practical demands of creating high-quality, relevant resources- like engaging subject presentations- can be overwhelming.

Generic AI tools often deliver generic, low-effort content that doesn't align with the rigor and philosophy of the IB Middle Years Programme. The solution isn't to reject AI; it's to master the art of asking.

Welcome the RODES Framework: a simple, five-step blueprint for crafting AI prompts that turn a general chatbot into a specialized MYP co-planner, ready to help you design impactful, concept-driven presentations for any subject.

The RODES Framework: Your Pedagogical Co-Pilot

The RODES acronym breaks down the process of prompt engineering into essential, sequential components, ensuring your AI output is precise, focused, and—most importantly—aligned with your MYP unit objectives.

ElementFocusMYP Application for Presentations
R – RoleDefine the AI’s persona and expertise.“Act as an IB MYP Individuals & Societies teacher specializing in Global Contexts.”
O – ObjectiveState the clear, specific goal.“Generate a 12-slide presentation outline on the relationship between ‘Globalization and Sustainability’ for a Grade 8 class.”
D – DetailsProvide constraints, context, and key content.“Ensure slides focus on the Key Concept of ‘Change’ and integrate the ATL skill of ‘Information Literacy.’ Must include 3 formative assessment points.”
E – ExamplesOffer a model for the desired style or format.“For each slide, use this format: Title, Key Question, 3-5 bullet points. See the model slide below for the tone and complexity level.”
S – Sense CheckInstruct the AI to review or refine its output.“Review the 12-slide outline. Is there clear evidence of interdisciplinary connections with Design? If not, suggest a link.”

How to Use RODES to Design MYP Presentations

1. R: Set the Role (MYP Persona)

The first step is critical for avoiding generic content. If you simply ask AI to "create a history presentation," you’ll get a textbook regurgitation. By assigning a specific MYP role, you frame the response within the programme’s standards.

  • Example Prompt Segment: "You are an experienced MYP Science teacher focusing on Conceptual Understanding and Formative Assessment for Grade 7."

2. O: Define the Objective (Inquiry Goal)

Your objective should be an actionable task directly related to the presentation resource you need. Be precise about the type of output.

  • Example Prompt Segment: "Your task is to create a detailed script for a 5-minute screencast presentation that introduces the Key Concept of Relationships in a visual arts context."

3. D: Inject the Details (Conceptual Blueprint)

This is where you weave in the threads of the MYP framework. Include the Global Context, Key and Related Concepts, and specific ATL skills you want the presentation to model or highlight. This ensures the output is academically rigorous and structurally sound.

  • Example Prompt Segment: "The presentation must be framed by the Global Context of Scientific and Technical Innovation and include the Related Concept of Function. The tone should be engaging and accessible for students with diverse learning needs. The script must pause three times to ask a higher-order, open-ended question."

4. E: Offer Examples (Guiding the Quality)

To ensure the presentation material meets your quality standard, provide an example of what success looks like. This is especially helpful for controlling the format, complexity, and tone.

  • Example Prompt Segment: "Use the following bulleted points as a model for the depth of content: '1. The design cycle is a recursive process, not linear. 2. Failure is simply data for the next iteration. 3. Documentation (process journal) is as critical as the final product.'"

5. S: Conduct a Sense Check (MYP Alignment Review)

This final, often-skipped step forces the AI to reflect on its own output, which significantly improves the quality. You are asking it to validate the work against your core MYP requirements.

  • Example Prompt Segment: "Before finalizing, check the entire script and confirm that the terminology used is consistent with the MYP Command Terms (e.g., Explain, Compare, Justify). If any slide contains a simple fact, rewrite the prompt for that slide to be a guiding question."

By adopting the RODES Framework, you transform AI from a time-wasting distraction into a highly structured, standards-aligned resource generator. This intentional approach to prompting is a key ATL skill in itself- Information Literacy and Media Literacy- that we model for our students, and one that allows you to reclaim your planning time for the truly human work of teaching.

This video provides an introduction and examples of the RODES Framework in action.- AI Prompting Made Simple The Educator's Guide to the RODES Framework



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

#31 Guide to MYP Unit Planning

The Middle Years Programme (MYP), designed for students aged 11-16, emphasizes inquiry-based learning, actively engaging students, and connecting their learning to the real world. This blog post will guide you through creating effective and engaging MYP units. Stage 1: Establishing the Conceptual Framework This stage is about establishing a big-picture framework for your unit by answering two key questions: • Why are students learning this? • How does this learning connect to the world and their communities? Key elements of Stage 1: • Unit Title: A catchy and engaging title to capture student interest. • Global Contexts: Provides real-world relevance and meaning to the unit content. Choose one of the six global contexts: ◦ Identities and relationships ◦ Orientation in space and time ◦ Personal and cultural expression ◦ Scientific and technical innovation ◦ Globalization and sustainability ◦ Fairness and development • Key Concept: A broad, universal idea that transcends subjects. Each s...
Post a Comment
Read more

#22 Growing Professionally to Become an IB Programme Coordinator: A Comprehensive Guide

The International Baccalaureate offers four distinguished programmes: the Primary Years Programme (PYP), the Middle Years Programme (MYP), the Diploma Programme (DP), and the Career-related Programme (CP). Each programme requires unique skills and understanding from its coordinators, while sharing the fundamental IB philosophy and approaches to learning. This guide will help you understand the professional growth path for each programme's coordination role. Foundation Requirements Across All Programmes Before diving into programme-specific requirements, all IB coordinators need: A recognized teaching qualification Preferably 3-5 years of IB teaching experience  Strong leadership and communication skills Understanding of the IB mission and philosophy Commitment to international-mindedness Experience with collaborative planning Skills in curriculum development Primary Years Programme (PYP) Coordinator Essential Knowledge Base Transdisciplinary learning and teaching Play-based learnin...
2 comments
Read more

#9 Role of MYP Coordinator

The MYP coordinator plays a vital part in ensuring the successful implementation of the Middle Years Programme (MYP) in IB World Schools. Their responsibilities encompass various aspects of the programme, demanding a deep understanding of the IB philosophy, the MYP framework, and effective teaching practices. They need strong communication, collaboration, and leadership skills to thrive in this role . Here's a closer look at the key roles of an MYP coordinator: ● Pedagogical Leadership: The MYP coordinator leads the development and implementation of the MYP, making sure it aligns with the IB philosophy and the school's mission, vision, and strategy. ● Curriculum Development and Oversight: The coordinator oversees the MYP curriculum, ensuring it is comprehensive, coherent, and aligned with IB requirements. They work with teachers to create subject-group overviews, unit plans, and assessments that reflect the MYP framework and pedagogical principles. The coordinator monitors the ...
Post a Comment
Read more