The Prompt-a-thon event scaffolds a cycle of: understanding GenAI tools \u2192 building prompts \u2192 evaluating outputs, so participants learn to spot strengths and weaknesses quickly (accuracy, sourcing, bias, scope), apply guardrails, and improve outputs rather than accept them at face value. That is exactly the kind of AI literacy Russell Group principles call for: skills development within an ethical framework<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Our prompt-a-thon pilots have shown that providing a safe, fun environment for students to play<\/p>\n\n\n\n with AI builds their confidence and their understanding of responsible use, including academic integrity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Participants\u2019 confidence in using GenAI for academic work rose substantially from before to after the event, with the shift reaching statistical significance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Confidence in using GenAI responsibly also increased significantly, suggesting that explicit ethical framing and evaluation routines make a tangible difference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Students described the experience as moderately to highly engaging and said it met their expectations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n How do you provide pedagogical sound learning for students to develop their AI literacy skills?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n We will explore the model we have created to provide students with a hands-on learning experience allowing them to develop their digital literacy in a fun and engaging way. Drawing on principles of gamification, the Prompt-a-thon provides an introduction to GenAI grounded in the sector\u2019s shared principles of AI literacy, equitable access, integrity, collaboration, and ethical use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What does ethical and responsible use of AI look like when applied to subject specific academic learning?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Students worry about using AI correctly within their academic work. We introduce responsible use through structured and critical practice with the PREP-EDIT prompting framework (Fitzpatrick et al., 2023). In our pilot data, concerns about reliability were common pre-event; our evaluation practices address them head-on and coincide with the post-event uplift in confidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What scaffolds help learners move from curiosity to competence?<\/strong> A quick teaser: Prompt<\/strong>–<\/strong>a<\/strong>–<\/strong>thon<\/strong> \u2018Express\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n You will experience a bite sized version of the format through two lightning challenges<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Accurate, biased, or everything in between? <\/strong>Participants will reflect on accuracy and biases inherent in GenAI tools by creating their own virtual avatars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Structured creativity<\/strong>.<\/strong> Participants will engage with the PREP-EDIT framework by working through our introductory activity, used during the Prompt-a-thon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Expect some technical descriptions, playful scoring, and a reflective debrief that discusses what worked (and what did not!). The goal is introducing you to the Prompt-a-thon and providing an understanding of how you could apply it within your context.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A replicable format.<\/strong> You will leave with an outline you can adapt to your context and ideas for activities you can try with your students. The format is purpose-built to build digital literacy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A practical prompting routine.<\/strong> A simple test, evaluate and reflect loop (inspired by established prompting frameworks) that helps you plan better prompts, check outputs for accuracy, bias, and responsibly use AI.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Evidence you can use.<\/strong> From our pilot student survey:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Overall confidence using GenAI increased significantly from pre- to post-event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Confidence in using GenAI responsibly also rose substantially.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Participants rated the event as engaging and that it met expectations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alignment with sector principles.<\/strong> Everything you try in the room maps to the Russell Group\u2019s principles<\/strong>\u2014AI literacy, ethical use, academic integrity, and cross sector collaboration\u2014and to Southampton\u2019s own guidance, so you can take the model home with confidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Russell Group principles for the ethical use of GenAI<\/strong> in education (AI literacy; ethical use and equal access; academic integrity; collaboration). We will show what these look like in practice, from prompt planning to disclosure of language.<\/p>\n\n\n\n University of Southampton guidance<\/strong> on using GenAI in studies, clear expectations, examples of acceptable support, and a focus on critical digital literacy. We will map workshop activities to this guidance so you can see a coherent policytopractice line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Industry-wide tools<\/strong>.<\/strong> We will work with Microsoft Copilot so the practices can transfer<\/p>\n\n\n\n to your day-to-day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Evidence from our pilot<\/strong> (pre\/post surveys, light significance testing, and thematic analysis of open responses) to show where the format is having impact and where we are iterating next.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Academic staff<\/strong> who want practical ways to build GenAI literacy while protecting academic integrity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Learning designers and educational technologists<\/strong> seeking a replicable, evidence informed format.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Programme and policy leads<\/strong> who need to align course level practice with institutional and sector principles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Curious beginners<\/strong> who want a psychologically safe, structured way to get hands-on quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bring your curiosity and we will create a safe, fun space to play.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n If you’re interested in how to reimagine enhancement in your own institution, I hope to see you at ALTC25. And if not, I look forward to connecting here or online afterward.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat we will explore<\/strong> in this workshop:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
We will share the Prompt-a-thon structure and scaffolding of the PREP-EDIT framework within the event sequencing, which is reflected in our use of rubrics and tasks and makes the invisible parts of ethical reasoning visible and measurable.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat you will take away<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Resources and ideas <\/strong>we will<\/strong> draw on<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Who should attend?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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