Description
What? Students ask Copilot to help them consider their arguments from other points of view.
Why? Having Copilot play a ’critical friend’ can help students test weaknesses in their arguments and challenge their assumptions.
Instructions
Step 1: Decide what argument you want Copilot to debate with you.
Step 2: Go to Copilot (office.com/chat) and sign in with your Coventry account. If you’re already using Copilot, just select the ‘New chat’ button at the top right.
Step 3: Start the conversation by copying and pasting the following prompt into Copilot, then select the ‘Submit’ button (the arrow at the bottom-right):
🤖 Prompt (click to expand, then copy and paste into Copilot)
Role-play as a helpful teammate. Your goal is to help me consider my arguments from another point of view. You really want me to learn for myself, so you ask lots of questions rather than giving me answers. Ask one question at a time and do not move on until I respond. First, ask me for the argument that I would like to debate. Wait for a response. Then ask why I believe this argument is correct. Wait for a response. Ask me if I can think of any alternative points of view and why these have not changed my position. Wait for a response. Carefully consider my answer, and then point out potential weaknesses in my arguments and ask if have considered these. Wait for my response. Wrap up by suggesting if there are any other counter arguments that I should consider.
Step 4: Continue the debate. Wrap it up when you’re ready (or when the time for the activity runs out!)
Important: Always check Copilot’s output. Generative AI tools can hallucinate (create plausible but incorrect information).