ChatGPT Prompts for Instructional Design: 12 to Copy

The most useful ChatGPT prompts for instructional design give the model your subject matter expert notes, your learners, and your delivery limits, then ask for one design artifact at a time: objectives, a module map, a scenario, assessment items, or a storyboard. Below are 12 copy-paste prompts that follow a backward design workflow, plus a flagship prompt that turns SME notes into a full course outline.

Fill every [bracket] with your real project details. The model only knows what you paste, so review every objective and quiz item with your subject matter expert before you build anything in your authoring tool.

Prompts for analysis

1. Is training the right fix

Here is the performance problem: [problem] and what we know about why it happens: [notes]. Sort the causes into skill or knowledge gaps that training can fix and process, tool, or motivation issues it cannot.

2. Learner profile

Our learners are [role, experience, tools, schedule]. Write a one paragraph learner profile and list the three mistakes they are most likely to make with [topic].

3. Questions for the SME

Read these SME notes: [notes]. List what is missing, unclear, or contradictory, as questions I can send to the expert today.

Prompts for design

4. Measurable objectives

From these notes: [notes], write one terminal objective and four enabling objectives. Each needs an observable action verb, a condition, and a standard.

5. Module map within seat time

Using these objectives: [objectives], build a module map for [seat time] of [delivery format]. Show modules, objectives covered, practice, and minutes, and list content to cut.

6. Branching scenario

Write a workplace scenario for [objective] with one decision point, one right choice, two plausible wrong choices, and the realistic consequence of each.

7. Job aid

Turn this procedure into a one page job aid a [role] can keep open while working: [procedure]. Use short steps and a decision table where it helps.

Prompts for development

8. Storyboard for one module

Create a storyboard for module [name] covering [objectives] in [authoring tool or format]. For each screen give on screen text, narration notes, interaction, and a media note.

9. Facilitator guide

Write a facilitator guide for a [length] live session on [topic]: timing, talking points, discussion questions, and what to do if the group is quiet.

10. Microlearning follow up

Suggest five two minute follow up items to send in the weeks after training on [topic], each tied to one of these objectives: [objectives].

Prompts for evaluation

11. Aligned assessment items

Write one scenario based question per objective: [objectives]. Include the correct answer, three plausible distractors, and feedback for right and wrong answers.

12. Evaluation plan

Draft an evaluation plan for this course on [topic]: a reaction survey, a knowledge check, what managers should observe on the job after 30 days, and which business metric to watch.

Turn SME notes into a full outline

The Instructional Design Prompt: Course Outline From SME Notes runs prompts 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, and 11 together. You paste the training goal, the learners, the SME notes, the delivery format, the seat time, and the assessment rules. It returns a training fit check, objectives traced to the notes, a module map, practice scenarios with consequences, aligned assessment items, a first module storyboard, and questions for the expert. The example on the page designs a 30 minute eLearning course on a help desk ticket priority matrix.

Tips for designers using ChatGPT

• Paste the SME's exact words so objectives trace back to a source.
• Ask for consequences in scenarios, not just right and wrong labels.
• Check every quiz answer against the notes. Plausible is not the same as correct.
• Keep learner data and internal documents out unless your organization allows it.

Related guides

Helping a learner pick up a subject on their own? Read ChatGPT Prompts for Learning a New Topic. Designing for students with IEPs? See ChatGPT Prompts for Special Education Teachers. Find more in the Education prompts hub, browse all prompts, or share a prompt from your design toolkit.