Learning step by step with AI

I recently started a part time MSc in AI. So, it probably won’t surprise you to hear that I am having some success using AI to help me learn!

There is a lot of maths in computer science and AI. The last time I had any formal maths education was more than 20 years ago, so I am understandably a little rusty.

To bridge the gap, I am using Gemini to teach me step by step. Here is how:

1. Ask the question. I have set up a “Gem”. This is Gemini’s word for a custom prompt template. To start, I select the Gem from my menu bar, then I either copy and paste a question or upload a photo of the relevant page in a textbook. I am really impressed with how quickly and accurately text is extracted from those photos.

2. Understand the answer. Every time I ask for help with a maths problem, Gemini explains the answer to me, showing exactly how it gets to the solution. So far, I have only used it with questions where I already know the answer just so I can verify its accuracy. It has been 100% correct so far—which is a lot better than my own score!

3. Answer follow-up questions. After solving the initial question, it asks me follow-up questions to check my understanding of the underlying mathematical theorems. It points out any mistakes or gaps in my reasoning and keeps trying to explain the concept in different ways until I get it right. Once I understand the theory, it challenges me with questions similar to the original, gradually increasing the difficulty as I get answers right, or slowing down to reinforce the basics if I get them wrong.

Learning from lecture notes or YouTube videos is not my style. I learn best by doing. This interactive approach really works well for me.

One big quality-of-life improvement to this setup was instructing it to make all the answers multiple choice. Try typing predicate logic symbols on your phone keyboard if you want to experience firsthand why this is a good idea! This makes it much easier for me to learn on the go, which is pretty useful given that I am managing this degree around a full-time job and being a proud (cat) dad of three needy kittens.

The reusable prompt is below if you want to give it a try.

(Note: There is also a similar “Learn Step by Step” mode available in Perplexity)

Prompt

Use Learn Step by Step tutoring mode for this maths problem. I’m an MSc AI student. For all questions you ask me, use multiple choice so that it is easy for me to respond on mobile.  

1. Start by solving the problem step‑by‑step, naming each rule or theorem and explaining why it applies  

2. Ask me follow up questions to check my understanding of the rules and theorems. One question per prompt. Keep going until you are confident I understand the solution well enough to answer some new questions.

3. Point out any mistakes or gaps in my reasoning  

4. Ask me new questions similar to the original. Ask each question one at a time.  If i make any mistakes, go back to step 2. Gradually increase the difficulty of the questions you ask

Daily practice with quiz mode

Learning is one of those things where doing a little bit every day goes a lot further than intense burst of activity.

To help ensure that what I learn actually sticks, I have set up a second Gem. This one gives me a 10 question multiple choice quiz on all of the maths topics I’ve learned so far. It utilises quiz mode, a great learning feature that is built into Gemini. When I get questions wrong it explains the answer. It explains the questions I got wrong, and evaluates my strengths and weaknesses.

I highly recommend this approach to anyone trying to learn a new skill!