Note: on April 23, 2025 I hosted a webinar to explore Gemini for Education. The recording and summary posted below is provided for anyone who was unable to attend the live session.

Gemini, Google’s free AI chat bot, has some great new features! This in-depth webinar will explore all of the new updates for 2025 and answer the key question: is it worth it!

Video Timeline:

Click a time-stamp to skip forward to that portion of the webinar (opens in YouTube).

• 0:00 Intro
• 6:09 Gemini Overview
• 8:58 Using the Gemini App
• 13:07 Prompt engineering
• 19:20 Gemini for Students (13+)
• 21:40 Canvas for Gemini
• 25:50 Deep research & audio overview
• 33:54 Custom gems
• 38:10 Q&A
• 41:01 NotebookLM
• 48:10 Gemini for Workspace ($)
• 52:54 Gemini for Google Classroom
• 55:00 Conclusion

Key Takeaways:

• Introduction to Gemini: Gemini is Google’s AI chatbot, similar to ChatGPT, offering a free and powerful tool for various tasks.
• Data Privacy: When using Gemini within a school’s Google Workspace account, data privacy is protected under the same terms as other Google services, ensuring data is not used for training or marketing purposes.
• Advanced Features: The webinar highlighted advanced Gemini features like Deep Research (for in-depth analysis), Audio Overviews (podcast-style summaries of research), Canvas (for refining AI-generated text), and Gems (customized chatbots for specific tasks).
• Prompt Engineering: Use the PARTS framework (Persona, Aim, Recipients, Theme, Structure) to get better results from Gemini.
• Student Use: Gemini can be used by students aged 13 and older (with school permission) for activities like chatting with historical figures, refining written assignments, and creating self-guided quizzes. The “teen version” has safeguards to prevent misuse.
• Notebook LM: This specialized tool allows users to upload their own documents and resources, enabling Gemini to provide answers based solely on that specific content. It’s useful for policy documents, handbooks, and research.
• Gemini for Google Workspace: This paid feature integrates Gemini into Google tools like Gmail, Docs, Slides, and Sheets, offering convenience, at a price.
• Gemini in Google Classroom: Google is integrating Gemini into Classroom with features like quiz generation, lesson planning assistance, and content re-leveling, though its value compared to other free tools is still evolving.

Resources for Teachers & Instructional Coaches:

• ​Advanced Gemini features for educators​ (blog post)
• Slide deck that I used during the webinar
• ​Notebook LM: an AI-powered tool for students and teachers​ (video)
• ​Lesson planning with Gemini Gems​ (blog post)
• ​10 ways I am (actually) using AI in my daily life​ (blog post)
• ​Figurative language with AI generated images​ (lesson plan)
• ​Using AI to enhance Google Classroom​ (blog post)

Resources for IT administrators:

• Google Workspace Cost analysis
• Audit Gemini use using Google Vault
• Understanding Gemini data privacy for education domains

Keeping up to date is hard…let me help!

Google changes and updates things a LOT! Each month I send out a short email to summarize significant updates and new features for Docs, Gmail, Chromebooks, Classroom, and more. Add you name to receive the next Google EDU Update!