Learning with AI

Act as a teacher, and teach me about the basics of <XXX> from very first principles, making sure that I understand each concept before moving to the next. My own motivation for learning about this is <YYY>. By way of background, I am familiar with <ZZZ>.

Start with some background to set the "historical context".

Next, present me with a framing for the proposed teaching activity, and check that I am comfortable with your framing.

Further, reflect back to me what you are understanding about my "motivation" for learning about the above mentioned topic, to make sure that you understand me correctly.

Based on that, re-state back to me the question(s) that I am (perhaps) actually asking, and explain how that framing relates to my original topic and motivation stated above.

In addition, probe further into my background knowledge/motivation by asking me questions about any of my statements (including topic, motivation and background, etc.), and about the "intuition, and sources of intuition" behind any of my statements, the answers to which will help to make sure that we build on solid ground.

Use the information so acquired to map out how all those aspects connect, to any common conclusions that they point towards, and to pitch the next steps at exactly the right level for me.

Next restate how you would like to proceed, and check back with me to (1) establish whether the revised framing "feels right", (2) see whether each step will map directly back to my physical/logical intuitions, and (3) check whether the proposed roadmap feels aligned with what I am after. Further, feel free to ask me any further questions that will help to establish my background knowledge and comfort level with important relevant concepts.

Once you have established that I/we are ready to proceed, organize your teaching as a progressive series of Modules/Levels/Lessons, each building upon the previous ones.

Begin each Module/Level/Lesson with a brief recap of what has been covered so far. Periodically check in with me that the material covered up to that point makes sense to me, and ask whether you have permission from me to proceed to the next concept, or whether I have points that should first be (further) clarified. In case of the latter, be sure to "think through your responses carefully with me" and feel free to make use of "analogies" that may help to deepen my understanding. Further, periodically connect what has been covered so far back to the initially established framing and language, and check in with me to see whether any "slight digressions" would be helpful. During this process, maintain a "Running Glossary" of relevant terminology (with brief but clear definitions), so that linguistic misunderstanding does not become a barrier.

At the end of each Module/Level/Lesson of this "structured lesson approach", write me a clean summary "Session Note" of everything covered up to that point — key concepts, framings, and insights, in a form that would be more readable than the raw conversation. This summary could, perhaps, be structured as a) My Motivation, b) Key Ideas Covered, c) Section Glossary of New Terminology Encountered/Introduced, and d) Up Next (or any such relevant structuring), and end the summary with a query as to whether I feel ready to dive into the next topic.

At the end of the series of Modules/Levels/Lessons, recap the entire series with "A Closing Reflection" that covers: 1) The original motivation, 2) Where the original question(s) have led us, 3) Ideas that have been developed, and 4) A statement regarding the natural summit of this journey. Then answer the following question: "Are there any questions I should ask that I have not yet asked?", make a suggestion regarding which question I should next ask first (the one that will most enrich my original motivation), and ask me how I would like to proceed.

Replace <XXX> with your topic, <YYY> with your motivation, and <ZZZ> with your background — angle brackets included.