Overview

This document serves as a resource for ChatGPT Edu users to help them get the most out of their credits. This document contains information about when to use different models, specific use cases by role, and how to use features strategically within the ChatGPT Environment.

Utilizing Features Effectively and Strategically

Review the table below for insights into how to use different features strategically and effectively while minimizing credit usage.

Categories	Deep Research	GPTs	Images	Voice mode
What it is	Conducts multi-step research on the internet that can find, analyze, and synthesize online sources	Personalized version of ChatGPT that follows specific directions you give it.	Creates high-quality images and charts quickly based on the prompt you give it.	The ability to chat back and forth with ChatGPT using the ChatGPT app.
Strengths	High quality results and analysis without spending credits.	Provide directions once and get consistent results with each task asked.	High-quality images at a quicker pace.	For those that prefer to talk out a prompt, and listen for a response
What is included with the feature	5 tasks in a 24-hour period	0 credits to use, unlimited GPT creation	3 image generations per 24-hour period	0 credits for the dictation feature (microphone on web browser)
What costs additional credits	50 credits for each additional task within the 24-hour period	Using higher reasoning models (e.g. thinking, pro) to complete GPT prompts	5 credits for each additional image created within the 24-hour period	5 credits per 1 minute of voice mode
Use Cases	Research inquiries	Repetitive tasks that follow specific directions.	Image for a course, charts, graphs, etc.	Practicing a different language, getting feedback on an interview answer, etc.
Tips for Use	Use Deep Research for your initial inquiry. Then, use the instant model to ask clarifying questions. This will save your deep research queries and minimize credits spent.	Set your default model to instant 5.5. This will save credits for those who may not know a higher reasoning tool has been selected as the recommended model.	Before you create the image, use the instant model of ChatGPT to identify a detailed prompt for the image you want. This will save you from needing to iterate as many time.	Consider when you need voice mode to talk back to you, or if dictation will work better. Dictation to share a prompt will share credits.

Which ChatGPT Model should I choose?

The following table walks through when you should use the four different thinking models. Below this are specific use cases for different roles at the university.

Categories	Instant	Thinking Mini*	Thinking	Pro
Models	Instant 5.5	ChatGPT automatically reroutes to this model when it needs more reasoning to complete the task and it is on instant	GPT-5.6 Sol (Medium, High)	GPT-5.6 Sol Pro
Credits per prompt	0 credits	0 credits	10 credits	50 credits
Tasks each model is best for	Clear easy tasks	Moderate analysis and creation	Complex multi-step reasoning	Research-level Reasoning
Broad Use Cases	Draft and Generate Summarize and Rewrite Brainstorm Quick Content Creation	Plan and Design Develop and Organize Improve and Refine Compare and Analyze	Analyze and Synthesize Design Complex Solutions Strategic Planning Produce Major Deliverables	Institutional Strategy Comprehensive Program Design Expert Research Review High-Stakes Decision Support
This model is great to choose when…	You need help getting started on a task.	You want help with completing your work.	You need help solving a complex problem.	You want help producing the highest-quality work for an important institutional decision or scholarly output.

Faculty Use Cases

Instant	Thinking Mini*	Thinking	Pro
Write discussion prompts Generate quiz questions Draft Canvas announcements Create lecture outlines Rewrite assignment instructions Produce quick examples for class Brainstorm ideas for class activities. Brainstorming ideas for AI integration	Design an Assignment Create a more complete lesson plan Create rubrics Redesign assignment for AI integration Student feedback Course Development Map assignment to learning outcomes Create course module Analyze multiple sources Draft a well-organized report Create active-learning activities Conference Proposals	Design an entire course module Create authentic assessments Redesign multiple courses for AI integration Build a complete online course Curriculum mapping across academic program UDL review Comprehensive feedback on multiple-student papers Assessment alignment analysis	Design a complete academic program Build a competency-based curriculum Plan and review assessments for a comprehensive program Create an Institutional innovation teaching strategy Create an AI transformation roadmap for an academic college Rigorous critiques

Staff Use Cases

Instant	Thinking Mini*	Thinking	Pro
Draft Emails Summarize meetings Create agendas Write event descriptions Brainstorm marketing strategies Answer routine policy questions	Project planning Policy drafting Process improvement Report writing (executive summaries, annual reports, program updates, etc.) Communications (newsletters, campus announcements, even promotions, etc.) Comparing institutional policies Creating onboarding guides Create implementation checklists Analyze survey results Prepare presentations	Accreditation Narratives Policy drafting Program reviews Operational documentation Department planning Institutional strategic initiatives Multi-year implementation plans Change management plans Cross-unit workflow redesign Budget scenario analysis Executive briefing documents Difficult troubleshooting	Write presidential strategic initiatives Plan for institutional transformation Enterprise AI Governance Campus-wide digital transformation Executive decision support Cabinet-level briefing materials Rigorous critiques

Researcher Use Cases

Instant	Thinking Mini*	Thinking	Pro
Brainstorm research questions Draft participant recruitment emails Generate interview questions Summarize a single journal article Conference presentation outlines Convert notes into meeting summaries	Research question development Literature review organization Research design feedback Coding assistance Statistical interpretations (t-tests, ANVOA, regression, etc.) Conference presentation	Literature reviews across dozens of articles Research proposal development Grant brainstorming Statistical interpretation Research study planning Manuscript editing Mixed-methods research design Peer review simulation Multi-study comparisons Publication strategy Theoretical framework development	Final grant proposal review before submission Comprehensive manuscript critique Research portfolio planning Multi-year research agenda development Expert-level methodological review Cross-disciplinary synthesis Advanced technical work Rigorous critiques