When the Answer Isn't Right: Feedback, Iteration, and Trying Again, Part 1

Don't stop at the first answer. Ask follow-up questions to learn more or get the answer you need.

'Can you explain it more simply?' or 'Can you give an example?' often gets you exactly what you need.

When to follow up

• When you don't fully understand
• When the answer is too short
• When you want a different angle

The big idea: AI conversations get better when you keep asking. Don't stop at the first answer.

AI gets better at helping you when you say what was helpful and what wasn't.

After AI answers, you can say 'I liked the example, but the explanation was too long. Can you make it shorter?'

Three good feedback phrases

• 'That was helpful.'
• 'That was too long/short.'
• 'Can you focus on X?'

Here's why "Tell AI What You Liked or Didn't" matters: The words you type to an AI are called a prompt. Better words = better answers! AI gets better at helping you when you say what was helpful and what wasn't. — and knowing how to apply this gives you a concrete advantage.

• Learn what "feedback" means and why it's important
• Learn what "iteration" means and why it's important
• Learn what "refinement" means and why it's important
• Learn what "signal" means and why it's important

1. 1Ask AI to explain your favourite animal like you're five
2. 2Ask AI to write a haiku about your school day
3. 3Ask AI for three ideas for a fun weekend activity

The big idea: Telling AI what worked makes the next answer better.

When AI asks 'should I do X?' your answer matters. Saying 'sure' to everything means you might get something you didn't want.

Slow down. Read what AI is suggesting. Say no to things you don't actually want.

Three things to watch for

• AI suggesting BIG actions (sending email, deleting things)
• AI assuming things you didn't say
• AI going off-topic

The big idea: You are in charge. Say yes to good things, no to things you didn't ask for.

There are many AIs — Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, others. Sometimes one is better at your question than another.

If one AI gives you a bad answer, try the same question on a different AI. Often the answer is much better.

Three ways AIs differ

• Some are better at writing
• Some are better at math
• Some are friendlier or more cautious

The big idea: Different AIs are good at different things. Try a few to find your favorite.

AI does not always nail it on the first try. That is normal. The fix is not to give up — it is to ask in a new way.

Some examples

• First try: 'Tell me about dogs.' Better: 'Tell me five surprising facts about how dogs see the world.'
• First try: 'Help with my poster.' Better: 'I am making a poster about ocean animals for 4th grade. Suggest a layout.'
• First try: 'I do not get it.' Better: 'Explain that again, but pretend I am 8 and have never heard of it.'
• First try: 'Wrong.' Better: 'That is not quite right. The answer should be about [topic], not [other topic].'

Try it!

Ask AI a fuzzy question. Get an okay answer. Then ask the same thing with three more details added. Compare.

AI gives different answers depending on how you word the question. If the first answer isn't great, change a few words and try again. It's like fishing with a new bait.

Some examples

• Try 'tell me about volcanoes' then 'how do volcanoes work?'
• Swap 'help me' with 'show me how to' and see what changes.
• Replace 'kid' with 'student' or 'beginner' if that fits better.
• If 'explain' didn't work, try 'compare' or 'describe'.

Try it!

Pick any question. Ask it three different ways. Compare the answers and pick the best one.

If AI's first answer is not what you wanted, that is okay! You can ask it to try again. Tell it what to keep, what to change, and what to add.

Some examples

• 'Try again, but make it funnier.'
• 'Redo that — make it shorter.'
• 'Same idea, but for a 5-year-old.'
• 'Keep the start; change the ending.'

Try it!

Ask AI to write a 4-line poem about pizza. Then ask it to redo it 'but make it about tacos and rhyme more'.

Here's why "AI and the Redo Button: Asking AI to Try Again" matters: The words you type to an AI are called a prompt. Better words = better answers! Learn how to ask AI to try again when its first answer isn't quite right — and knowing how to apply this gives you a concrete advantage.

• Learn what "redo" means and why it's important
• Learn what "feedback" means and why it's important
• Learn what "improving" means and why it's important

1. 1Ask AI to explain your favourite animal like you're five
2. 2Ask AI to write a haiku about your school day
3. 3Ask AI for three ideas for a fun weekend activity

Sometimes AI gives you 5 ideas and you want 5 more. You don't have to retype the whole prompt! Just say 'keep going' or 'more please' and AI continues.

Some examples

• 'Keep going — give me 5 more.'
• 'More like the last one!'
• 'Continue the story.'
• 'What else?'

Try it!

Ask AI for 3 funny pet names. Then say 'keep going!' See what new ones appear!

Here's why "Just Say 'Keep Going' for More Cool Stuff" matters: The words you type to an AI are called a prompt. Better words = better answers! If AI's answer was great, you can just say 'more please' and it continues — and knowing how to apply this gives you a concrete advantage.

• Learn what "continuation" means and why it's important
• Learn what "more" means and why it's important
• Learn what "follow-up" means and why it's important

1. 1Ask AI to explain your favourite animal like you're five
2. 2Ask AI to write a haiku about your school day
3. 3Ask AI for three ideas for a fun weekend activity