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What is this strategy?

This strategy focuses on using reference materials in your Playlab app to improve its knowledge base. By uploading documents or adding links, you can give your app access to specific information that helps it generate more accurate, relevant, and customized responses for your users.

Think of references as giving your Playlab app a specialized library of knowledge that it can draw from when answering questions.

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Why It’s Important

References are key to building apps that have specialized knowledge beyond what the AI already knows:

  • Ensures responses align with specific, verified information
  • Tailors content to your exact curriculum or teaching standards
  • Provides rich context for more comprehensive answers
  • Allows incorporation of up-to-date information through external links
  • Enables creation of school-specific or organizational content
More references aren’t always better. Each reference should have a clear purpose in improving your app’s outputs.

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How to Add References

It’s important you have permission to upload references into your app
1

Prepare Your Reference Materials

Choose the Right Format:

  • PDFs work well for maintaining formatting
  • Markdown for structured text
  • Well-organized text files
  • Links to external resources

Optimize Your Files:

  • Break large documents into smaller, focused files
  • Ensure clear formatting for easier AI parsing
  • Tables and structured formats are easier for the AI to understand than long paragraphs
2

Upload References in Playlab

While in the Playlab app builder:

  1. Navigate to the References section
  2. Click “Upload” to add document files or “Add Link” for web resources
  1. Give each reference a descriptive name
  2. Make sure you have permission to upload the references.
3

Guide Your App to Use References

In your app instructions, specify how and when to use the references:

Example Instructions:

  • “Use the lesson plan document to create activities that align with our school’s 4th-grade science curriculum.”
  • “When answering questions about classroom management, refer to the discipline policy document.”
  • “Based on the provided state standards document, generate grade-appropriate math exercises.”
4

Test and Refine

  • Try your app with references enabled and disabled to see the difference
  • Check if outputs mention or incorporate information from your references
  • Adjust your instructions if the references aren’t being used effectively
  • Add or remove references based on performance

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Reference Use Case Examples

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Educational Applications with References

Use CaseReference TypeExample Instruction
Curriculum PlanningSyllabus documents, standards PDFs”Using the attached curriculum standards, create a weekly lesson plan for 2nd-grade math on addition and subtraction.”
Assessment CreationPrevious exams, rubrics”Based on the sample tests provided, generate 5 new assessment questions on photosynthesis that match our difficulty level.”
Differentiated LearningStudent data, learning profiles”Referring to the learning styles document, adapt this history lesson on Ancient Egypt for visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learners.”
Feedback GenerationFeedback guidelines, student work samples”Using our feedback rubric, provide constructive comments on this student’s essay about ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’.”
Parent CommunicationCommunication templates, school policies”Based on our communication guide, draft an email to parents about the upcoming science fair that includes all required information.”

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Key Implementation Strategies

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Need Support?

Have you created an app using references? We’d love to hear about your experience!

Contact us at [email protected]

Last updated: April 05, 2025