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AI Tools & Google Education

Google Education AI tools: Gemini and NotebookLM

How to Access NotebookLM

Navigate to notebooklm.google.com or find it in the Google apps menu in your Google account (NotebookLM is currently located near the bottom of the apps menu).

The mobile device Google app menu with NotebookLM highlighted

Google's statement about NotebookLM's accuracy, located at the bottom of the screen:

NotebookLM disclaimer: "NotebookLM can be inaccurate; please double check its responses."

Getting Started with NotebookLM

 

📍What is NotebookLM?

NotebookLM is a research and writing assistant and note-taking tool that allows you to upload sources to interact with using Google’s Gemini AI models. NotebookLM was created for collecting information from different sources in different formats and working with this information. It is good at extracting information from a specific source and citing were the information is found. It has an ability to compare and contrast information found in different sources. 

Each source can accommodate up to 500,000 words, and each notebook can hold a maximum of 50 sources!

A circular infographic titled 'NotebookLM Features' displays seven key functionalities around a central icon of a graduation cap and laptop. The features, arranged clockwise, are: Briefing Documents, Glossaries, Study Guides, Practice Questions, Text & Audio Summaries, FAQs, and Timelines.

Graphic created with Napkin.ai

Additional examples of uses:

  1. Upload a video and get a summary of the content

  2. Find similarities and differences of various sources
  3. Identify thematic clusters
  4. Make timelines from unorganized information.

 

📍Sources that work well with NotebookLM

PDFs, websites, videos, audio files, pasted text, and Google Docs all work well with NotebookLM. The tool is designed to help summarize and search the sources, make connections between sources, and generate new ideas. Each notebook can have up to a maximum of 50 sources; there are no restrictions regarding the length of the sources. The screenshot below indicates the ways that you can add sources to a notebook (discover sources, upload from your computer, add from your Google Drive, add a link, or paste text). 

Screenshot of the 'Add sources' page in NotebookLM, showing various options to upload or connect sources. The main options highlighted are: 1. 'Upload sources' with a drag & drop area for files like PDF, TXT, Markdown, and Audio (MP3); 2. 'Google Drive' with options for Google Docs and Google Slides; 3. 'Link' with options for Website and YouTube; and 4. 'Paste text' for Copied text. In the top right corner, there's a 'Discover sources' button, labeled 5. At the bottom right, a '0/50' source limit is indicated.

Ask a question

To interact with your sources, select sources from your notebook, and enter a prompt in the field at the bottom of the page. 

Screenshot of a notebook with 2 sources selected and the prompt field highlighted.

 
📍 Sharing a notebook
  1. Click on a padlock icon to share your notebook
  2. Type an email addresses of the people you would like to share with
  3. Determine editing rights.

An AI interface with two main sections: "Chat" on the left and "Studio" on the right. The "Chat" section displays a conversation titled "Trauma-Informed Classrooms," with text describing the importance of creating safe spaces and culturally responsive learning environments for students who have experienced trauma. The "Studio" section on the right has an "Audio Overview" area, a "Notes" area with options to "Add note," "Study guide," "Briefing doc," "FAQ," and "Timeline." At the top right of the interface, a "Share" button is highlighted with a red rectangle, next to "Settings" and a profile icon.

 

An AI interface showing a pop-up window titled "Share 'Trauma-Informed Classrooms'" overlaying a document. The pop-up allows users to "Add people and groups" and lists "People with access to your notebook," including "Monika Major" as the owner and another user with "Viewer" access. A dropdown menu is open next to the second user, displaying options to change their access level to "Viewer," "Editor," or "Revoke access." Below these options, there is a "Copy link" button.

Audio Overview / Podcast Feature

You can create audio discussions that reflect the content of uploaded files. You can also specify which sources you would like to be included in the audio podcast.

  1. Go to NotebookLM.
  2. Create a new notebook.
  3. Add at least one source.
  4. Click on the “Generate” button to create an Audio Overview.
  5. You can download the audio file if you choose.

Screenshot of a digital workspace with a split-panel layout. The left panel, labeled 'Sources,' shows a single source: a link to 'Wuthering Heights' on Project Gutenberg. A red box highlights a small icon next to the link. The center panel displays a detailed text excerpt from 'Wuthering Heights,' along with options to 'Save to note,' 'Add note,' 'Audio Overview,' and 'Mind Map.' The right panel, labeled 'Studio,' has an 'Audio Overview' section with a 'Deep Dive conversation' option and a prominent 'Generate' button highlighted in red. Below this, a 'Notes' section offers options for 'Study guide,' 'Briefing doc,' 'FAQ,' and 'Timeline,' and indicates that 'Saved notes will appear here.'

Mind Map Feature

  1. Choose sources in the Sources Panel
  2. Click Mind Map in the Chat Panel
  3. Open the Mind Map in the Studio Panel
  4. You can download the Mind Map as a PDF file if you choose.

Google NotebookLM screenshot displaying sources, chat, and studio panels, with a focus on the 'Learning Environments Activities...' document and options to create an Audio Overview or Mind Map.

This is an example of an interactive Mind Map that can be expanded or collapsed.

A mind map titled "Learning Environments & Instructional Activities." The central node branches out to several main topics: Introduction, Learning Environments, Instructional Activities, Research Support for Activities, Activity Based on Proven Practices (Marzano et al. / Deaner et al.), Connecting to Instructional Design Process, Summary, and Examples. The "Learning Environments" branch further expands to: * "Definition: Where/when instruction occurs" * "Poor Perceptions (Stanford et al., 2013)" * "Desired Learning Environment," which then splits into: * "Open-Ended Learning Environment" * "Most environments ideal due to pre-coded" The "Instructional Activities" branch expands to: * "Passive Reception vs. Active Participation" * "Specific learning objectives" * "Prescriptive instructional activities" * "Meet objectives" * "Traditional classrooms" * "Content in increments" * "Use direct teaching" * "Users fix same knowledge/skills"

Willamette University

Willamette University Libraries

Mark O. Hatfield Library
900 State Street.
Salem Oregon 97301
503-370-6018
library@willamette.edu
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511 NW Broadway.
Portland Oregon 97209
503-821-8966
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