DeepThought: Setting up a Shared Course Chatbot

Summary

A well-configured course chatbot provides more accurate, efficient and scalable support for students. Course materials should be uploaded through the document management system rather than directly in chat conversations so they can be accessed for answering student questions.

 

Use the Default Chat 

For a single chatbot, use the “Default” chat instead of creating a custom chat. This creates a simpler experience for users by displaying only the chat interface, and not additional buttons and options unrelated to your chatbot’s purpose. 

If you are offering multiple specialized chatbots, custom chats may be appropriate.

 

Configure Viewer Controls 

When using the Default chat, disable “Allow Viewer Control” in the Chatbot Settings panel located under the “Applications” menu. With this setting disabled, students will only see the chat input with the “Default” chat will automatically be selected, removing unnecessary options such as the sidebar and keeping the interface focused on student questions. 

If you are offering multiple chats, you will need to create additional custom chats and leave the "Allow Viewer Control” option enabled.

 

Key Chatbot Settings and Features 

Access and review the following settings by clicking on the three dots to the right of the chatbot name and choose which to enable based on your instructional goals: 

  • “Record Chat”: Enabling record chat allows conversations to be recorded and logged, allowing for review and analysis using DeepThought's analytics features 

  • “Resume Chat”: This allows students to continue previous conversations. Consider potential memory and cost issues if this option is enabled, but students do not clear out their uploaded files regularly. 

  • “Enable Web Search”: Enabling this allows the chatbot to use online sources in addition to course materials.

 

Add a Clear Instructional Prompt 

Define the chatbot's role and limitations in the chat settings. A clear prompt helps ensure consistent responses. 

For example: 

“You are a course tutor. Provide guidance based only on the course materials that have been uploaded to the documents in settings. Answer questions related to course content and learning objectives. Do not provide students with the answer to a problem but provide tools for helping them develop their own answers or conclusions. Do not provide information outside the course materials.” 

 

Upload Documents Through Document Management 

Do not upload course materials as chat attachments. 

To add documents:

  1. Open the chat options menu. 

  1. Select “Documents and Data”. 

  1. Open “Upload Document”. 

  1. Upload your course materials. 

  1. Verify they appear under “Manage Documents”. 

Documents listed in “Manage Documents” are indexed and available to all chatbot users.

 

Why Documents Shouldn’t be Uploaded Directly to Chat 

  • Performance and Cost Issues: Files attached directly to a chat are loaded into the conversation context, using up available memory and increasing token usage and cost, and return confused results. 

  • Limited Access: Documents uploaded to a chat are private to the person who uploaded them. Any questions students ask through the chatbot will not have access to information from those documents.

 

Test Before Sharing 

Before distributing the chatbot, test it with a variety of course-related questions to confirm responses align with your course materials, prompt, and any web search settings. 

Remember that if “Allow Viewer Control” is disabled, students will enter the Default chat automatically and see a streamlined question-and-answer interface.

 

Best Practices Review 

For the best results, if students will only be accessing one chat, use the “Default” chat, upload documents through “Documents and Data”, provide a clear instructional prompt, review settings, and test thoroughly before sharing. Following these steps improves chatbot accuracy, performance, and the overall student experience. 

 

Further Readings

USNH AI Chatbots: Overview

DeepThought: Chatbot Settings and Administration

USNH AI Tools: Understanding Data Tiers

 

Want to Learn More? 

Fill out the RCC Support Request form.

 

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