DeepSeek R1 Basics: A Practical Guide to Smarter AI Use

Think AI is too technical? Think again. DeepSeek R1 helps students write, study, and solve problems faster, with no coding skills needed. Learn how to use it smartly in minutes. This course teaches you how to use DeepSeek R1 effectively to focus less on struggling and more on thinking.

Course Description

This beginner-level course is designed for students who want to use AI tools like DeepSeek R1 in their daily academic tasks. You will learn how to prompt effectively, get better results, and apply R1 in writing, research, coding, and more. Each lesson is short, clear, and built for practical use—so you can work smarter, not harder. By the end, you’ll know how to use AI responsibly, creatively, and confidently in your studies.

What Will You Learn?

• How to access and use DeepSeek R1 on any device
• How to write smarter prompts for better responses 
• How to use R1 to summarize, outline, and brainstorm 
• How to apply R1 for basic code writing, debugging, and math 
• How to troubleshoot when results are unclear or unhelpful 
• How to use AI ethically and stay within academic guidelines

Course Curriculum

Module 1: Getting Started with DeepSeek R1

Understand what DeepSeek R1 is, how it works, and how to access it easily.

• Lecture 1: Getting Started with DeepSeek R1
  Learn what DeepSeek R1 is, who it helps, how to access it on any device, and how to navigate the interface with your first prompt. 

Module 2: How to Prompt Like a Pro

The better your prompt, the better your answer. This module shows you how to guide the AI clearly and effectively.

• Lecture 2: What Makes a Prompt Work?
  Learn how clarity, context, and tone affect the quality of your results.
• Lecture 3: Asking for Structure – Lists, Tables, and Summaries
  Get answers in the format you need—clean, organized, and usable.
• Lecture 4: Changing Tone and Detail Level
  Learn how to control the personality, length, and complexity of R1’s responses. 

Module 3: Smart Academic Use Cases

Apply DeepSeek R1 to real student tasks like writing, studying, and planning.

• Lecture 5: Summarizing Articles, Notes, and PDFs
  Use R1 to extract key points and reduce reading time.
• Lecture 6: Outlining and Expanding Assignments
  Ask R1 to organize your ideas or develop rough drafts.
• Lecture 7: Generating Titles, Hooks, and Presentation Points
  Prompt for headlines, introductions, and talking points for your projects. 

Module 4:  Coding & Problem-Solving 

Even if you’re not a programmer, R1 can help you understand and fix basic code and logic.

• Lecture 8: Writing Simple Code Snippets
  Use prompts to generate beginner-level Python, HTML, or JavaScript.
• Lecture 9: Solving Logic and Math Problems
  Get clear solutions to academic problems using structured input. 

Module 5: Responsible & Advanced Use

Learn how to handle AI limitations and stay responsible in academic settings.

• Lecture 10:  Troubleshooting Bad Outputs
  Tweak and redirect your prompt when you get vague or off-topic responses.
• Lecture 11:  Ethics & Academic Integrity
  Learn the ethical line and how to use R1 as a learning tool, not a shortcut.
• Lecture 12: Final Practice Challenge
  Put your skills to the test with a real task prompt of your choice (e.g., “Plan a study schedule for finals”) and reflect on the results. 

Who Is This Course For?

• University or college students new to AI
• Learners who want help with studying, writing, or coding 
• Anyone curious about using free AI tools effectively 
• Students who want to save time and work smarter 

Certificate of Completion

Students who finish all lectures and quizzes in this course will earn a Certificate of Completion from Eduta—perfect for adding to your resume, LinkedIn profile, or client proposals.