STEP 01
Start with your needs, not a feature list
Write three priorities: readable responses, a comfortable interface and no required payment for these exercises. Add an accessibility need if you have one. If you are using an employer’s device or information, follow its approved-tool policy rather than opening an unapproved personal account.
A browser is the app you use to open websites. You can use a browser and an ordinary notes document for this course; no programming or extension installation is required.
STEP 02
Choose one official starting point
Open ChatGPT, Claude or Gemini using its official address. Read the provider’s linked access guide. Choose its free/basic route when available; do not start a paid trial just for this course. If a screen requires a purchase, stop and use another free option or the examples.
Already have an approved account? You can test the prompt below. Otherwise, save it for lesson 3. There is no need to create three accounts to compare them.
Summarise this fictional event in exactly three short bullets, using plain English. Then add one line showing how many places remain and the arithmetic. Use only the supplied facts. Do not claim that access or refreshments are confirmed. Do not send or schedule anything. FICTIONAL PRACTICE FACT SHEET A This is an invented exercise, not a real event or booking. Use these fixed dates, not today's date. All event times are local to the fictional venue. Organiser: Oakfield Learning Group Event: Back-to-Work Practice Hour Date: 18 May 2030 Time: 10:00-11:00 Place: Oakfield Community Room Audience: adults returning to work after a break Cost: free Capacity: 12 people Confirmed attendees: 7 people Bring: a notebook Laptops: optional Bookings: reply to the organiser by 15 May 2030 Step-free access: not yet confirmed Refreshments: no information supplied Goal: practise one safe AI drafting task
Paste into your approved AI tool. This site does not call an AI model.
STEP 03
Judge an answer using a small checklist
The test asks for a three-bullet summary and the number of remaining places. Look for the correct date, venue, five remaining places and no invented refreshments or access promise. Then ask yourself: could I read the answer, find where to type and ask for a revision?
With no account, evaluate this sample: “18 May 2030, 10:00–11:00, Oakfield Community Room. Free; bring a notebook; laptops optional. Reply by 15 May 2030. Places remaining: 12 − 7 = 5.” It is brief and factual. This is a supplied example, not proof of any provider’s performance.
STEP 04
Check the practical limits
Find the provider’s official account/help pages and check free usage limits, supported region, sign-in requirements and privacy controls. Do not assume a free chat account includes file tools, custom skills or scheduling. An advertised feature may not be enabled for your particular account.
If a free limit appears, save your work and return later or use the course examples. A limit is not a reason you must upgrade. If useful, compare a second service you already have using the identical harmless prompt.
STEP 05
Record a small, reversible decision
Write: “Starting service: __. Official address checked: __. Date checked: __. Why it suits me: __. Free access verified, or still to check: __.” Do not include passwords, verification codes or account screenshots.
If you used no live service, write “Example route for now.” You can complete the learning and checks this way, but describe it as reviewing examples rather than hands-on use of a service.
PAUSE & CHECK
Does it hold up?
See the explanation
The core work uses ordinary text prompts or supplied examples. Free usage and optional features vary by account. A blocked or paid-only extra feature has a manual fallback; it is not a requirement to purchase.
ONLY AFTER YOU’VE DONE THE WORK
A truthful way to describe it
I compared the requirements of a beginner AI task with the documented access and limits of a service, and recorded a free-first choice or an example-only learning route.
Use this only if it accurately describes your completed practice. Adapt it to the tool and checks you actually used. It is not a certificate or a claim of professional experience.
Sources & editorial notes
Feature documentation checked 16 October 2026. The practice brief and teaching checks are original editorial exercises. Interfaces and account availability can change.
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