Learning Topic Whiteboard Map

SKILL.md

---
name: Learning Topic Whiteboard Map
description: Use when a user wants to turn a hard topic into a wall-ready learning map with modules, concept links, examples, practice tasks, source notes, confidence marks, and next study actions. This is a learning artifact only and must label uncertain sources while avoiding credential, medical, legal, or professional claims.
---

# 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- Label uncertain, user-provided, unsourced, outdated, or conflicting sources clearly.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.