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Berea College

New users can get the most out of BoodleBox by starting with the official platform resources. The main BoodleBox site provides an overview of the platform and its capabilities, while the sign-in page gives direct access to the working environment. The support materials are especially useful for users who want guided on-boarding, platform walk-throughs, and answers to common questions.

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These resources can help students, faculty, and staff move from first exposure to confident use more quickly.

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One of the most powerful features of the prompt field is the ability to choose which bot or model to use. Simply type the @ symbol in the prompt field to open a searchable list of available bots and models. From there, scroll through the list or continue typing to filter and find the right one — such as ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity, PromptBot, BoodleBot, or a custom campus bot.
This makes bot selection fast and flexible. Rather than leaving the chat to open a separate tool, a new bot can be selected directly within the conversation, allowing work to continue in the same space. This is especially helpful when comparing different bots on the same task or switching from a general writing assistant to a more specialized one.
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Which AI bot/model should I use?

<h4>The Prompt Field</h4>
The BoodleBox prompt field is the main place where users interact with bots, models, and other people in a chat. More than just a text box, it provides tools to choose the right AI assistant, switch between conversation modes, and control how work happens within the platform. Learning how to use the prompt field well is one of the fastest ways to become more effective in BoodleBox.
At its most basic level, type a question, request, or instruction into the prompt field and press &lt;Enter&gt; to submit. To start a new line without sending the message, use &lt;Shift + Enter&gt;. This makes it easy to write longer prompts, structured instructions, or multi-part questions before submitting.
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<h4>Prompt Modes</h4>
The prompt field supports different communication modes depending on what needs to be accomplished. In standard Bot Mode, messages are treated as prompts for an AI bot to answer. This is the default mode for asking questions, generating content, analyzing documents, brainstorming ideas, or working with a selected model.
In collaborative chats, Message Mode allows direct communication with other human participants without prompting a bot. To switch quickly, begin a message with /. Alternatively, access the prompt field menu and select the option to switch between Bot Mode and Message Mode. This makes it easy to move between human discussion and AI-supported work within the same chat.
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<h4>Additional Prompt Field Features</h4>
The prompt field connects to several other useful BoodleBox tools. Files and documents can be attached directly to a chat using the paperclip icon, giving the selected bot access to course materials, notes, readings, or project files for more context-rich responses. Quick commands and suggested prompts are also available to help new users get started faster.
For best results, follow these simple habits:
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<li>Choose the right bot for the task at hand</li>
<li>Be specific and clear in the prompt</li>
<li>Add context by attaching relevant files when needed</li>
<li>Switch bots when a different perspective or capability would help</li>
<li>Use Message Mode when collaborating with others in a shared chat</li>
</ul>
Once comfortable with the prompt field, users can do much more than simply chat with AI, including directing, comparing, collaborating, and building more intentional workflows inside BoodleBox.

Prompt Field/Modes Information

Coach Mode, in the BoodleBox prompt window, is a setting that changes how the AI responds so it does more than simply answer your question. 
Normal chat mode gives you an answer; Coach Mode gives you an answer plus guidance on how to become better at using AI.
When Coach Mode is active, the AI typically:
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<li class="x_MsoNormal">Answers your request directly</li>
<li class="x_MsoNormal">Explains how to improve your prompt</li>
<li class="x_MsoNormal">Suggests better ways to use AI for the task</li>
<li class="x_MsoNormal">Recommends useful BoodleBox features or bots</li>
<li class="x_MsoNormal">Helps you build AI skills over time</li>
<li class="x_MsoNormal">Flags responsible-use issues, such as overreliance on AI, hallucination risk, or the need to verify information</li>
</ul>
For professors or educators, Coach Mode is especially useful because it can help with things like:
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<li class="x_MsoNormal">Designing better assignment prompts</li>
<li class="x_MsoNormal">Creating grading rubrics</li>
<li class="x_MsoNormal">Developing course policies for AI use</li>
<li class="x_MsoNormal">Building lesson plans or activities</li>
<li class="x_MsoNormal">Comparing outputs from different AI models</li>
<li class="x_MsoNormal">Teaching students how to use AI responsibly</li>
</ul>

For staff, Coach Mode can help in these ways:
<ul type="disc">
<li class="x_MsoNormal">Improves prompts for emails, FAQs, and reports</li>
<li class="x_MsoNormal">Recommends useful tools and workflow shortcuts.</li>
<li class="x_MsoNormal">Flags risks like inaccurate output or oversharing.</li>
</ul>

And for students:
<ul type="disc">
<li class="x_MsoNormal">Helps improve prompts for studying and brainstorming.</li>
<li class="x_MsoNormal">Suggests better ways to use AI for learning tasks.</li>
<li class="x_MsoNormal">Reminds users to verify facts and think critically.</li>
</ul>

BoodleBox FAQs