Introduction to Claude and AI Fluency

Vocabulary flashcards covering core Claude features, access points, prompting strategies, AI Fluency frameworks, and desktop app shapes.

Constitutional AI

The training approach guided by principles that help Claude avoid toxic, discriminatory, illegal, or unethical outputs and align transparently with human values.

Context Window

The amount of text Claude can consider in a single conversation, ingesting 200K+ tokens (about 500 pages of text or more), with up to 1M tokens available on Pro, Max, Team, and Enterprise plans with supported models.

Thinking (Claude Capability)

A capability where Claude takes time to work step by step through complex cognitive tasks, mathematical problems, strategic thinking, and research before giving an answer.

Learning Mode

A Claude experience that guides a user's reasoning process rather than directly providing answers, helping develop critical thinking skills.

Claude.ai

The primary interface (available via web, desktop, and mobile apps) used for conversational interactions, writing assistance, research, analysis, and creating files.

Claude Code

An agentic coding tool designed for developers and desktop file manipulation that directly edits files, runs terminal commands, and creates git commits.

Claude Tag

An integration that brings Claude directly into Slack to chat in threads or the AI assistant header, searching workspace channels, direct messages, and shared files for context.

Claude Design

A feature available on paid plans and at claude.ai/design that turns descriptions, sketches, or screenshots into working interactive interface prototypes.

Claude for Microsoft 365

A sidebar tool that brings Claude into Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Outlook to analyze, draft, and edit inside open documents and carry context across applications.

Setting the Stage

The prompt element where you define your role, objectives, and relevant work context for Claude.

Defining the Task

The prompt element that specifies the exact action you want Claude to take, such as writing, analyzing, or building.

Specifying Rules

The prompt element where you detail desired style, tone, structural constraints, formatting, or provided examples.

4D Framework for AI Fluency

A framework developed through research collaboration between Professor Rick Dakan (Ringling College of Art and Design) and Professor Joseph Feller (University College Cork) identifying four core competencies: Delegation, Description, Discernment, and Diligence.

Instructions for Claude

An account setting under Settings > Account where you can set standard custom preferences that apply to every conversation.

Memory (Claude Feature)

A feature that automatically saves key context across conversations—such as role, preferences, past decisions, and working style—and syncs across devices.

Skills (Claude Feature)

Reusable sets of instructions that teach Claude how to approach specific tasks, workflows, writing preferences, and output formats, applied automatically when relevant.

Delegation (AI Fluency)

The competency of deciding which work should be done by humans and which by AI, and making strategic choices about task distribution.

Description (AI Fluency)

The competency of effectively communicating with AI systems by clearly defining outputs, guiding AI processes, and specifying behaviors.

Discernment (AI Fluency)

The competency of thoughtfully and critically evaluating AI outputs, processes, accuracy, and appropriateness.

Diligence (AI Fluency)

The competency of using AI responsibly and ethically, maintaining transparency, and taking accountability for AI-assisted work.

Evals

Systematic evaluations used to test and assess how well Claude performs on specific types of domain tasks and workflows.

Chat (Desktop App)

The workspace shape in the Claude desktop app designed for turn-by-turn thinking, quick entry overlays, dictation, and real-time back-and-forth exchange.

Cowork (Desktop App)

The workspace shape in the desktop app for handing off multi-step agentic tasks, featuring local folder access, scheduled tasks, subagents, and computer use.

Scheduled Tasks (Cowork)

Tasks set on a recurring cadence that run remotely in the cloud, continuing even if the computer is asleep or the desktop app is closed.

Subagents (Cowork)

Parallel background worker processes that Claude splits a large job across to return a single compiled deliverable.

Computer Use

A research preview capability on Pro and Max plans where Claude directly operates a computer by clicking, typing, and opening apps with user permission.

Plugins (Claude Desktop)

Ready-made bundles of skills, connectors, and agents designed for specific job functions such as sales, finance, or legal work.