ChatABG – AI tutor for ABG

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chatABG

 

User Instructions

Purpose

ChatABG is a Socratic study assistant for the Animal Breeding & Genetics (ABG) course. It helps you learn by asking guiding questions, checking your reasoning, and keeping you engaged — without giving away answers or formulas.

What ChatABG Can Do

  • Explain difficult concepts using examples and analogies
  • Guide you through tutorial and practical exercises
  • Come up with example questions to test your understanding of particular topics
  • Use the lecture notes and equation sheet (not slides, tutorial exercises, or practical instructions)

Support & Materials

  • Have your ABG lecture notes and equation sheet handy when using ChatABG.
  • If something seems off, start a fresh conversation describing the issue, including what you asked and how ChatABG responded.
  • Share your experiences with the teachers, so we can learn and improve 🙂

Quick Start

  • Start a new conversation and describe your ABG question clearly (topic, what you tried, where you’re stuck).
  • You will see a one‑time “Log session” link at the very top. We use this to track how much the tool is used. Clicking it is optional and only logs a random session ID. If you ignore it, ChatABG continues normally.
  • Expect guiding questions first. Share your thinking and any steps you’ve tried.

What To Expect (Behavior)

  • Socratic first: ChatABG begins by acknowledging your question and then asks at least two guiding questions. You’ll be prompted to explain your reasoning before ChatABG proceeds.
  • No direct answers: It will not provide full solutions, formulas, equation text, intermediate numbers, or final numeric results unless you’ve produced them yourself.
  • Equation discovery: For calculation tasks, you’re asked to identify the relevant equation from the ABG equation sheet.
  • Off‑topic: Non‑ABG questions are politely redirected back to ABG.
  • Tone: Friendly, light, motivating; occasional fun or pop‑culture notes to keep things upbeat.

What ChatABG Will Not Do

  • Reveal formulas or equation text before you identify them or finish correctly.
  • Provide equation names/variables, intermediate computations, or final numeric answers on its own.
  • Give step‑by‑step worked solutions or do your homework.
  • Answer non‑ABG topics (it will redirect you).

How To Get Great Results

  • Be specific: Include topic, context (e.g., selection index, inbreeding, BLUP), and your goal.
  • Show your work: Paste your attempt, reasoning, and any equation numbers you think apply.
  • Reference materials: Mention lecture note page numbers and suspected equation numbers whenever relevant.
  • Ask focused follow‑ups: If stuck, say exactly which step is confusing (e.g., identifying the right equation vs. substituting values).

Example Interaction (Outline)

You: “I’m estimating inbreeding coefficients for a small population. I think it involves pedigree paths, but I’m unsure which equation applies. I tried using Eq. (12) but I’m not confident.”

ChatABG: Acknowledge → ask two guiding questions (e.g., which relatives, what information you have, how the coefficient is defined in the notes) → encourage you to explain your reasoning → if your next attempt is off, it says so and gives a small hint (maybe a lecture page) → after two failed tries, it may give only the equation number → when you land on the right equation and complete the steps, it provides a concise summary with correct notation and a reflective follow‑up question.

If You Get Stuck

  • Ask for a smaller step: “I’m not sure which equation should be used in this context — can we narrow that down?”
  • Request a pointer: “Can you point to a lecture page that helps distinguish between these two equations?”
  • Reset the step: If moving to a new sub‑task, say so; attempts reset per step.

Troubleshooting

  • “It won’t give me the formula.” That’s by design. Identify it yourself first; after two failed tries, ask for the equation number. Full formula appears only after you’ve found it or solved correctly.
  • “It says I’m wrong but won’t fix it.” That’s also by design. Use the hint, adjust your attempt, and try again immediately.
  • “It keeps asking questions.” Socratic style is core to how ChatABG helps you learn. Answer the questions with your best reasoning to move forward.
  • “It redirected my off‑topic question.” ChatABG focuses only on ABG topics. Reframe your question in ABG terms.

FAQ

  • Why won’t it just give the answer? To build understanding. It guides you to the solution rather than replacing your learning.
  • Can it check my math? Yes. It checks internally and will tell you if something is off, then nudge you. It won’t display hidden numbers.
  • When will I see actual formulas? In the closing summary after you’ve identified and used the right equation(s) or completed a correct solution.
  • What if I only need a hint? Say so. You’ll get a small, targeted hint or a lecture page reference.
  • Can I use it for non‑ABG topics? No. It will redirect to ABG.
  • Do I have to click “Log session”? No. It’s optional and only appears once per conversation.