🌼 Module 1: Getting Comfortable with ChatGPT
📌 Module Objectives:
Understand what ChatGPT is—and what it isn’t
Learn how to ask questions and give clear instructions
Practice “talking to AI” with simple, real-life examples
Begin building confidence using ChatGPT for personal tasks
🧭 What You’ll Learn
How to open a conversation with ChatGPT
What makes a good prompt (and why that matters)
Common uses that feel familiar—like writing, searching, and organizing
Ways to explore without fear of “breaking” anything
What Is ChatGPT?
What You’ll Learn:
What ChatGPT is—and what it isn’t
The idea behind talking to AI using words, not code
Why this tool is made for everyone, not just tech experts
Lesson Content:
ChatGPT is like a friendly assistant you can talk to by typing. You ask a question—or describe something you need—and it replies instantly. You don’t have to know any commands. Just use plain English.
Imagine having someone available 24/7 who listens carefully and answers clearly.
What makes ChatGPT different from search engines is that it holds a conversation. If you ask for a recipe, you can say:
“Could you make it dairy-free?”
and it adjusts—without needing to start over.
🛠️ Value Booster: Try It Now – Simulated Interaction
Q: What are some light exercises for someone in their 70s?
ChatGPT:
Sure! Here are some gentle activities that are often recommended:
Walking (even in short sessions)
Seated yoga or stretching
Light resistance band workouts
Would you like a 15-minute routine?
🧠 Insight Box
You don’t need to be good with computers. If you can describe what you want, ChatGPT helps figure it out with you.
What Can ChatGPT Do?
What You’ll Learn:
Examples of everyday uses
How others are using it for writing, organizing, exploring
A sneak peek into what you might try in later modules
Lesson Content:
ChatGPT can do more than answer questions. It can help:
Write letters, birthday cards, or thank-you notes
Simplify complex ideas (like medical terms or news stories)
Create shopping lists or organize your week
Suggest gift ideas based on what someone likes
🛠️ Value Booster: “Pick a Task” Gallery
Click a task to see how ChatGPT might help:
| Task | Sample Prompt | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 📝 Write a Thank You | “Write a warm thank-you note to my neighbor who brought soup when I was sick.” | A short, friendly note ready to copy or customize |
| 📚 Summarize an Article | “Explain this article in simple terms: [paste text]” | 3-paragraph summary using plain language |
| 🍲 Meal Ideas | “I have carrots, chicken, and rice—what can I make?” | A recipe suggestion with optional variations |
How to Talk to AI
What You’ll Learn:
How to ask better questions
Why your wording matters
Tips for getting clearer, more useful responses
Lesson Content:
You don’t need to be fancy—just clear. ChatGPT works best when you give a bit of direction.
Think of it like giving instructions to a helpful friend.
Before:
“Help me write something.”
After:
“Write a short, cheerful birthday message for my sister who loves gardening.”
🛠️ Value Booster: Build-A-Prompt Exercise
What do you want? → A message, story, tip, recipe…
Who is it for? → My niece, my doctor, myself…
What tone? → Friendly, short, professional, funny…
Example Prompt:
Write a friendly thank-you message for my niece who helped me clean the garage. Keep it short and sweet.
Try a Simple Task
What You’ll Learn:
How to type your first prompt
What to look for in a good response
How to revise or “continue” a prompt
Lesson Content:
Let’s try something real. Imagine you want to send a kind note to your neighbor.
Prompt:
“Write a short thank-you note to my neighbor who watered my plants while I was away.”
ChatGPT might reply:
Dear [Neighbor’s Name],
Thank you so much for looking after my plants while I was away. I truly appreciate your kindness and help. Everything looks wonderful!
Warm regards,
[Your Name]
You can change it up by saying:
“Make it sound more casual.”
or
“Add a little humor.”
What You’ve Unlocked
You now understand what ChatGPT is
You’ve seen how real-life questions are answered
You’ve practiced crafting a prompt
You’ve taken your first step toward co-creating with AI
Now that you’ve met ChatGPT and seen what’s possible, it’s time to go a little deeper. In the next module, we’ll explore how to ask questions in a way that gets the most helpful, thoughtful responses—no jargon, just simple conversations that work.