AI Instructions (VTA Setup Page 3)

Written By Asad Jobanputra

Last updated 3 months ago

Overview

This guide covers the Provide Guidance for AI Agent configuration page, where you fine-tune the VTA’s educational behavior. By adjusting the Tone & Voice, Instructional Style, and Feedback Style, you ensure the VTA supports student learning in a way that is consistent with your course's pedagogical goals.

Who it's For

  • Instructors: To align the VTA's teaching methods with their own course delivery style.

  • Instructional Designers: To standardize the level of support provided by VTAs across a curriculum.

Why Use It

These settings directly impact the quality of student learning and interaction. They allow you to:

  • Customize Support: Toggle the VTA to act as a supportive mentor, a formal academic resource, or a hands-on guide.

  • Encourage Critical Thinking: Select styles like Socratic Teacher to prevent the VTA from simply giving away answers, forcing students to actively reason through problems.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Define Tone & Voice

Select the tone that dictates the VTA’s emotional tenor and level of formality. Toggle the setting that best suits your students and course material.

Tone & Voice Option

Purpose and Ideal Use Case

Supportive and friendly

Use this when you want the assistant to feel like an encouraging companion, especially for students who need motivation and positivity. (Recommended for 100-level courses)

Friendly and Approachable

Choose this for general use where students may need emotional comfort but still expect clarity and direction.

Professional and Clear

Ideal for courses where academic tone matters—like graduate-level or technical content—where formality is expected. (Recommended for 400-level or graduate courses)

2. Select Instructional Style

Choose the teaching method the VTA should employ when a student asks a content question. Toggle the style that matches your course pedagogy.

Instructional Style Option

Description

Recommended Use

Socratic Teacher

Use this when you want to help students build critical thinking skills and reach answers through reasoning. The VTA will ask follow-up questions instead of providing direct solutions.

Philosophy, Debate, or Critical Analysis courses.

Guided Practice

Best when students need help progressing through structured exercises, like in math, programming, or problem sets. The VTA provides incremental steps.

STEM courses (Math, Coding, Engineering).

Visual & Real World Examples

Perfect for visual learners or when simplifying complex topics using diagrams, comparisons, or structured layouts.

Science, Art History, or Conceptual courses.

Study Mode

I’ll be your approachable teacher: guiding you step by step, asking questions, and helping you discover answers instead of giving them. We’ll keep it interactive, clear, and at your level so you can explain concepts back with confidence.

General study help, concept review, and preparation for low-stakes quizzes.

3. Configure Feedback Style

This single setting controls the VTA's behavior when a student is stuck on a problem.

  • Feedback Style: Offer Hints

  • Action: Toggle ON this setting.

  • Purpose: Use when you want the assistant to gently guide students in the right direction without giving full answers. This encourages students to continue working on the problem themselves.

Best Practices / Notes

  • Prioritize Socratic: For any course focusing on problem-solving or writing, using Socratic Teacher or Offer Hints is the best way to leverage the VTA while maintaining academic rigor.

  • Match Tone to Content: If you teach an advanced, technical subject, using Professional and Clear tone will prevent the VTA from sounding overly casual, which can undermine the serious nature of the content.