Case Study: Microsoft Copilot Prompt-a-thon at Chisholm Institute

Empowering Educators with Generative AI

On 19 September 2025, Chisholm Institute hosted a transformative Microsoft Copilot Prompt-a-thon, bringing together approximately 50 educators and professional staff from across the organisation. Facilitated by Microsoft’s Rishona Elijah, the event was a hands-on, high-impact learning experience designed to build confidence and capability in using Microsoft Copilot.

The Prompt-a-thon marked a key milestone in Chisholm’s broader digital capability uplift strategy, showcasing how generative AI can be practically applied to enhance teaching, streamline workflows, and support innovation across the VET sector.

Purpose and Vision

The Prompt-a-thon was designed to:

  • Build foundational skills in prompting and AI literacy
  • Support the ethical and responsible use of generative AI
  • Demonstrate real-world applications of Microsoft Copilot
  • Inspire staff to integrate AI into their daily work
  • Contribute to Chisholm’s digital readiness plan for staff and students

This initiative aligns with Chisholm’s strategic commitment to innovation and digital transformation and supports broader sector-wide goals around workforce capability uplift.

What happened on the day

The workshop opened with an exploration of global trends in generative AI and its growing relevance in education and the workplace. Rishona Elijah introduced Microsoft’s Responsible AI Standards—accountability, transparency, fairness, and safety—and contextualised their application for Chisholm staff.

Participants were guided through:

  • Prompting fundamentals using the GCSE Framework:
    • Goal – What do you want Copilot to do?
    • Context – Why do you need it? Who’s involved?
    • Source – What information should it use?
    • Expectations – How should it respond?
  • Good vs Bad Prompting: Participants compared vague prompts with structured, detailed ones to understand how specificity improves Copilot’s output.
  • Agent Design: Attendees explored how to create AI agents tailored to tasks like persona testing, course evaluation analysis, and learning outcomes. They were introduced to nine key components of agent design, including writing instructions, error handling, and feedback loops.

Key Takeaways

  • Copilot is a partner: It enhances, not replaces, human creativity and efficiency.
  • Prompting is a skill: Clear, structured prompts lead to better results.
  • Learning is ongoing: Iteration and experimentation are key to success.
  • Agents are game changers: Custom agents can automate tasks and save time.

What Participants Said

“The event offered a hands-on introduction to generative AI tools, showing how Copilot can transform day-to-day tasks and educational workflows for educators.”
— Kriti Sharma
“Creating agents in Copilot was particularly impactful. I learned how to automate tasks like generating reports and integrating with other platforms.”
— Henry Astudillo
“Prompt-a-thon really opened my eyes to what’s possible with AI. I now feel confident using Copilot to create engaging content and streamline everyday tasks.”
— Ellen McKenzie
“The workshop showed me how AI can make my workload feel lighter, spark new ideas, and help me focus on what matters most.”
— Stuart Bush

What’s Next

The Prompt-a-thon is just the beginning. Chisholm is continuing its AI journey with:

  • A 2-day Hackathon with Microsoft in November 2025
  • Integration of Copilot into a Digital Readiness Plan for staff and students
  • Ongoing professional development to embed AI into teaching and learning practice

Conclusion

The Microsoft Copilot Prompt-a-thon at Chisholm Institute demonstrated the power of hands-on, purpose-driven learning to build digital confidence and capability. By equipping staff with tools and frameworks to use AI responsibly and effectively, Chisholm is leading the way in preparing the VET workforce for a future shaped by generative technologies.

Copilot is a powerful assistant—but it’s only as good as the prompts we give it. Start using Copilot in your daily work and keep iterating to unlock its full potential.