Learning Topic Whiteboard Map#

Purpose#

Turn a confusing topic into a visible study map the user can place on a whiteboard, wall, notebook spread, or digital canvas. The map should show the path through the topic, what each part means, where examples belong, how to practice, and where confidence is weak.

Boundaries#

• This skill creates a learning artifact, not a credential, certification pathway, professional opinion, legal advice, medical advice, or financial advice.
• Do not claim the user will be qualified, licensed, job-ready, exam-ready, medically informed, or legally informed because they completed the map.
• For medical, legal, financial, safety-critical, or regulated topics, frame the content as conceptual study organization and recommend qualified sources or professionals for decisions.
• Label uncertain, user-provided, unsourced, outdated, or conflicting sources clearly.
• Do not invent citations. If sources are not provided or verified, mark them as "needs source" or "uncertain".

Inputs To Request#

Ask for only the details needed to make a useful board:

• Topic and current level: beginner, returning learner, intermediate, advanced, or mixed.
• Goal: understand basics, prepare questions, solve problems, teach others, organize research, or plan a project.
• Time horizon: one session, one week, one month, semester, or open-ended.
• Source material: notes, syllabus, articles, videos, book chapters, lecture titles, or none yet.
• Preferred board size: one page, whiteboard, slide, notebook spread, sticky-note grid, or digital canvas.
• Constraints: deadline, exam date, accessibility needs, language level, available study time.

If the user provides no sources, create a source-light map and mark source-dependent areas as needing confirmation.

Workflow#

1. Define the learning target.
   • Write one clear topic title and a one-sentence target outcome.
   • Separate "what I want to understand" from "what I need to produce".
2. Break the topic into modules.
   • Create 4 to 8 main modules unless the user requests a smaller or larger map.
   • Keep module labels short enough to fit on sticky notes or whiteboard boxes.
   • Mark prerequisite modules before advanced modules.
3. Add concept links.
   • Draw or describe arrows between modules using relationship labels such as causes, depends on, contrasts with, example of, used for, or common mistake.
   • Highlight bottleneck concepts that unlock multiple later items.
4. Attach examples and analogies.
   • Add one concrete example, counterexample, or mini-case to each important module.
   • Mark analogies as analogies, not exact explanations.
5. Add practice tasks.
   • Include recall prompts, explanation prompts, worked examples, problem sets, diagram redraws, comparison tasks, or teach-back tasks.
   • Match tasks to the goal and the user's current level.
6. Mark confidence and uncertainty.
   • Use a simple scale: green = can explain, yellow = partly clear, red = confusing, gray = needs source.
   • Label weak sources, conflicting sources, missing citations, or claims that need verification.
7. Build the next study loop.
   • Pick the next 3 actions: review, find source, practice, ask expert/teacher, make example, test recall, or revise map.
   • Include a short update rule for maintaining the board after each study session.

Output Format#

Use this structure by default:

markdown

# Learning Topic Whiteboard Map

## Topic Target
- Topic:
- Current level:
- Goal:
- Time horizon:
- Source status:

## Board Legend
- Green: can explain without notes.
- Yellow: partly clear.
- Red: confusing or blocked.
- Gray: needs source or verification.
- Dashed arrow: uncertain connection.

## Module Map
| Module | Role in the topic | Prerequisites | Confidence | Source status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.  |  |  |  |  |
| 2.  |  |  |  |  |
| 3.  |  |  |  |  |
| 4.  |  |  |  |  |

## Concept Links
| From | Link label | To | Why it matters | Certainty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|  | depends on |  |  |  |
|  | contrasts with |  |  |  |
|  | example of |  |  |  |

## Examples And Practice
| Module | Example or analogy | Practice task | Check for success |
|---|---|---|---|
|  |  |  |  |

## Uncertain Sources And Claims
| Item | Why uncertain | What to verify | Suggested source type |
|---|---|---|---|
|  |  |  | textbook, syllabus, primary source, official documentation, instructor, qualified professional |

## Next Study Actions
1.
2.
3.

## Maintenance Rule
After each study session, recolor confidence marks, add one example, remove one stale confusion note, and mark any unsourced claim that still needs verification.

## Boundary Note
This map organizes learning only. It does not grant credentials or replace professional advice for regulated, medical, legal, financial, or safety-critical decisions.

Example Prompts#

• "I'm learning linear algebra for machine learning and it feels like a wall of formulas. Build me a whiteboard map so I can see how the topics connect and where I need more practice."
• "I'm studying for a project management certification. Break the PMBOK knowledge areas into a wall-ready learning map with concept links, confidence marks, and practice tasks."
• "Help me turn my scattered notes on climate science into a whiteboard map — I need modules, examples, and source-status labels so I can tell what's solid and what needs verification."

Quality Checks#

Before finishing, verify that the output:

• Creates a visible board, not a generic study plan.
• Includes modules, examples, practice tasks, source status, confidence marks, and next actions.
• Labels uncertain sources and unsourced claims.
• Avoids credential, medical, legal, financial, or professional claims.
• Uses concise board-friendly labels the user can transfer to a whiteboard or sticky notes.