Module 2 – Getting started with ChatGPT
From first use to steering on purpose
Total time: about 25–35 minutes · Roughly 15 minutes reading, 10–20 minutes practice
You take your first real steps in ChatGPT: open it on PC, tablet, or phone, recognise a conversation, and learn how to steer the answer. Perfect results are not the goal, experimenting is. You actually use ChatGPT, learn how a chat works, and how you can shape what you get back. Taking it slowly is exactly right.
Important terms you will see in this module
Goal: understand the words we use without getting technical.
In this module we use a few terms that may be new to you. They sometimes sound technical, but they mean something very simple. You do not have to memorise them, it is enough that you recognise them.
Prompt
A prompt is simply what you type to ChatGPT. It can be a question, a task, or a short description of what you want.
Examples of prompts:
- “Explain what inflation is in simple language.”
- “Write a friendly email to reschedule an appointment.”
- “Can you make this shorter?”
The clearer your prompt, the better the answer usually is.
Bullets (bullet list)
By bullets we mean a list with dots, like this one. It is often easier to read than one long block of text.
You can ask ChatGPT for example:
- “Turn this into 3 bullets.”
- “Give a short bullet list.”
Tone
By tone we mean how something sounds. For example: friendly, calm, formal, direct, or casual.
Naming the tone helps ChatGPT a lot, for example:
- “Make this friendlier.”
- “Keep it calm and not too harsh.”
- “Write this in a business-like way, but not cold.”
Context
Context is the extra explanation you give about the situation. For example who the text is for, or what you will use it for.
Examples:
- “This is for an email to a colleague.”
- “This is for someone with no background knowledge.”
- “I want to use this in a WhatsApp message.”
Steering (follow-up prompts)
Steering means that after an answer you add something more, so it better matches what you meant.
For example:
- “This is too long, can you shorten it?”
- “This is too complicated, make it simpler.”
- “Can you add an example?”
In this module you will see that ChatGPT does not give a single “one-shot” answer; you work together step by step toward something you can use.
Usable output: ask for the format too
Besides what you want, say how it should look. That saves editing afterwards.
- Example: “Write a short email I can send as-is. Add a subject line. No extra commentary.”
- Example: “Answer in 5 bullets only, at most 80 words.”
Free: this works fine in normal chat. Optional paid: some accounts add extras (e.g. more image generation); they are never required for this course.
Lesson 2.1 – Opening and using ChatGPT on your device
Goal: start on your own and combine smartly with the course.
You can use ChatGPT on several devices:
- a computer or laptop
- a tablet (for example an iPad)
- a mobile phone
On each device the basics are the same: you type a question and you get an answer back. The handy part: you can keep the course open on one screen and use ChatGPT on another. That can be two different devices, or one computer with two windows or two tabs side by side.
Many people do for example:
- course open on the PC, practising ChatGPT on tablet/phone
- or course on the phone, ChatGPT on PC/tablet
- or on the same PC: course in tab 1 and ChatGPT in tab 2
On a computer you usually use the website: chatgpt.com. On tablet/phone you can do the same, or use the official ChatGPT app.
Tip: go straight to chatgpt.com and do not click random “ads” or look-alike sites.
If you sign in with the same account on several devices, you can see past chats and continue later. For that you need an account and the same login details everywhere. For practising with this course only, that is not required: you do not have to set that up if you prefer not to.
If account or login gets tricky: open ChatGPT via the link to chatgpt.com (later in this module it appears again as a button). On their screen you can usually choose whether to create an account, or, if offered, just start typing. What you see may change slightly; pick what feels clearest for you.
Extra benefit of an account (especially on a computer): ChatGPT often lets a whole document be read along, for example by uploading a file, useful for longer text than copy-paste alone. We do not cover that in this basic course; you usually discover it when you create an account or explore the site (their help pages have more). Same rule as everywhere: do not share privacy-sensitive documents unless you are sure that is wise.
Copy-paste interlude
Only if you are not used to this yet. This box is for people who rarely use copy and paste. Already comfortable? Feel free to skip this box.
If you want to put an example line or task from the course into ChatGPT, you do not always have to retype it. You can copy text and paste it into ChatGPT.
- Windows (PC or laptop): select the text with the mouse (click at the start, drag to the end, release). Press Ctrl+C to copy. Click in ChatGPT’s input field and press Ctrl+V to paste.
- Apple Mac: same idea, but with the Cmd key (the key with the loop symbol): Cmd+C to copy, Cmd+V to paste.
- Tablet or phone: usually press and hold the text → “Copy”, and in ChatGPT in the text field press and hold → “Paste” (exact wording can vary by app).
Tip: after pasting, check that the whole sentence came through. That saves time and avoids typos in long examples.
Example where paste helps: In module 1 there is an idea for a question like: “Summarise this piece of text in 5 short bullet points” (with a news article or note pasted after it). How to do it: paste or type that short line in ChatGPT first. Put the cursor at the end of that line (maybe a space or new line). Then go to the site or document with your text, select it all, copy it, and paste it in the same message after your instruction. That way you avoid retyping a long text; after pasting, check everything is there, then send.
Questions for lesson 2.1
1. On which devices can you use ChatGPT?
2. What is a practical way to practise?
3. What is a benefit of signing in with the same account on several devices?
Lesson 2.2 – How a chat works
Goal: see that you are having a conversation, not a single search.
ChatGPT works differently from a search engine like Google. You do not ask one loose question and stop; you have a conversation. And you can steer that conversation.
What do you see on the screen?
- Your questions
- Answers from ChatGPT
- A text box at the bottom where you type
Each new question builds on what was already said. That is handy: you do not have to repeat everything every time. You can just keep talking.
You steer the answer (and you can say so literally)
ChatGPT is strong with language, but it cannot read your mind. The clearer you are, the better the answer. Think of it as teamwork: you give direction, ChatGPT shapes the text.
You can for example:
- clarify (give extra context)
- correct (say what is wrong or does not fit)
- limit length (shorter, simpler, 3 bullets, 1 paragraph)
- set the situation (for email / WhatsApp / letter / conversation)
- choose tone (friendly, formal, warm, direct)
Practical lines that almost always work:
- “This is too long, can you shorten it?”
- “Explain this without difficult words.”
- “Make it friendlier, but not over the top.”
- “Give 3 options and put the best one first.”
- “Ask me 2 questions first so you understand me better.”
Mini exercise (30 seconds)
Click here to open ChatGPT in a new tab, this course page stays open. Skip if ChatGPT is already open.
Type in ChatGPT:
- “Explain what inflation is.”
- Then: “Can you put this in 3 short bullets?”
- Then: “And now as if I were 14.”
You see: same topic, but you choose the shape. That is exactly how you “steer” ChatGPT.
Why this matters
You did not ask a new question about inflation, you only said how the answer should look (shorter, different age). That is what experienced users do most often.
Mistakes happen (and they are not dangerous)
ChatGPT can sometimes:
- be too vague
- make assumptions
- not quite understand something
That is normal. By asking follow-ups and being more specific, you almost always get a better answer. You stay in charge: you decide what to use.
Questions for lesson 2.2
4. What is an important difference from Google?
5. What can you do if an answer does not fit well?
6. Which line usually helps most to make an answer more usable?
7. What is a realistic expectation of ChatGPT?
Lesson 2.3 – Five tasks: feel that you are steering
Goal: notice that your wording changes the result.
Do the tasks one by one in ChatGPT. No rush. Each time skim the answer and notice: if you ask differently, the result changes.
Click here to open ChatGPT in a new tab, this course page stays open.
Task 1 – Explanation at the right level
Copy the line below, paste in ChatGPT, press send. (In lesson 2.2 you already practised with inflation, here is another example, same kind of question.)
Task 2 – Adjust the tone
Note the quotation marks around the sentence, they belong to the task.
Task 3 – Generate ideas (+ small check)
First ask for the list. Then one extra line, so you see you can steer the chat further.
Then, in the same chat:
Task 4 – Steer the answer
This only works after ChatGPT has replied. Type this as your next message.
Task 5 – Translate with nuance
Extra (if you still have energy)
Same trick, different topic, you practise variety.
Questions for lesson 2.3
8. What do you usually notice when you ask ChatGPT to explain something in simple language?
9. What changes most when you have a sentence rewritten “friendly and calm”?
10. Why is “Name one idea that ChatGPT suggested” a good check question?
11. What usually happens if you ask: “Can you make this shorter but still clear?”
12. Which part often helps keep the tone friendly in a translation?
Lesson 2.4 – Reflection: what worked for you?
Goal: notice your own influence.
Pause for a moment on what you just did:
- Which wording gave the best answer?
- What happened when you added extra explanation?
- Where did you need to steer?
Then type one more question of your own in ChatGPT and deliberately add:
- “Keep it simple.”
- or “Explain without difficult words.”
Click here to open ChatGPT in a new tab, this course page stays open.
Questions for lesson 2.4
13. What do you learn most from reflecting on your prompts?
14. Which add-on usually makes your question clearer right away?
Closing Module 2
You can now:
- use ChatGPT on computer, tablet, or phone
- have conversations and steer them
- feel that you are in control
In Module 3 you will learn to ask smarter, more targeted questions so ChatGPT works as a real thinking and writing partner.