{"id":12147,"date":"2026-09-08T10:30:27","date_gmt":"2026-09-08T10:30:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.loucoll.ac.uk\/learningtechnology\/?p=12147"},"modified":"2026-09-08T10:30:30","modified_gmt":"2026-09-08T10:30:30","slug":"getting-started-with-gemini-notebook","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.loucoll.ac.uk\/learningtechnology\/2026\/09\/08\/getting-started-with-gemini-notebook\/","title":{"rendered":"Getting Started with Gemini Notebook"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.loucoll.ac.uk\/learningtechnology\/files\/2026\/08\/Gemini-notebook-logo-1.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"88\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.loucoll.ac.uk\/learningtechnology\/files\/2026\/08\/Gemini-notebook-logo-1-1024x88.png\" alt=\"Gemini Notebook logo\" class=\"wp-image-12116\" style=\"width:399px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.loucoll.ac.uk\/learningtechnology\/files\/2026\/08\/Gemini-notebook-logo-1-1024x88.png 1024w, https:\/\/blogs.loucoll.ac.uk\/learningtechnology\/files\/2026\/08\/Gemini-notebook-logo-1-300x26.png 300w, https:\/\/blogs.loucoll.ac.uk\/learningtechnology\/files\/2026\/08\/Gemini-notebook-logo-1-768x66.png 768w, https:\/\/blogs.loucoll.ac.uk\/learningtechnology\/files\/2026\/08\/Gemini-notebook-logo-1.png 1404w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Unlike a traditional AI chatbot, <a href=\"https:\/\/notebooklm.google.com\/\">Gemini Notebook<\/a> provides a dedicated, secure workspace built around your specific documents, resources, and subject matter. Once sources are uploaded, it becomes focused on your content, allowing you to ask questions, generate summaries, create resources, and explore information with confidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As the Notebook&#8217;s AI is looking at your specific source materials, this helps improve accuracy, makes it easier to verify information, and reduces the risk of AI-generated inaccuracies or &#8220;hallucinations&#8221;.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Like Copilot, you can upload and use institutional content as the data remains within the College Group&#8217;s control and is not used to train AI models.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Getting Started<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:5px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What can you upload?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A notebook can contain up to <strong>50 sources<\/strong>, including: PDFs, Word Docs (docx), PowerPoints (pptx), Audio files (mp3), Videos (mp4), Images (jpeg and png), URLs, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Setting up your first notebook is straightforward and only takes a few minutes. Select <strong>Get started<\/strong> on the slide deck below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/scribehow.com\/embed\/Getting_Started_with_Gemini_Notebook__uEGdkxW5Q3eNEvb8zCub4A\" width=\"800\" height=\"679\" style=\"aspect-ratio: 1 \/ 1;border: 0;min-height: 480px\"><\/iframe>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary><strong><em>Notebook setup, written instructions (select to expand).<\/em><\/strong><\/summary>\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:1px\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Create a notebook:<\/strong> Once signed in (<a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.loucoll.ac.uk\/learningtechnology\/2026\/08\/12\/google-for-education-gemini-and-notebook-licence\/\">learn how to do this here<\/a>), select <strong>Create new notebook<\/strong> and give your Notebook a name.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Add your sources:<\/strong> Upload content by dragging and dropping your files into the \u201cSources\u201d panel or by selecting the <strong>Add sources<\/strong> button.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Explore with Chat: <\/strong>Once your sources have been uploaded, use the \u201cChat\u201d panel to ask questions, request summaries, identify key themes, or locate information across multiple documents.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Create resources with Studio:<\/strong> From the \u201cStudio\u201d panel, you can generate a variety of outputs from your sources, including: Audio Overview, Reports, Slide Deck, Quiz, and more. Select the option you would like to create.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Customise and generate<\/strong>: From the pop-up window, customise the output by specifying the format, level of detail, audience, or any additional requirements. When you&#8217;re ready, select <strong>Generate<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Review, download and share:<\/strong> Generated resources appear at the bottom of the \u201cStudio\u201d panel. Review the content, and then from the ellipsis <strong>More <\/strong>menu, you can rename, download and share it.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Sharing Notebooks and Resources<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:5px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To help maintain data security, notebooks can only be shared directly with individuals within our organisation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When sharing a notebook, you can assign either:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:1px\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Viewer<\/strong> access for read-only permissions<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Editor<\/strong> access for collaborative editing<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can also enable <strong>Allow Copies<\/strong>, allowing recipients to create their own version of the notebook.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you would like to distribute generated content to a whole class, we recommend downloading the resource and sharing it through LearnZone or Microsoft Teams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Examples<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:5px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To demonstrate what&#8217;s possible, we used Gemini Notebook to generate an <strong>Audio Overview<\/strong> of this blog. Audio Overviews convert written content into a conversational podcast-style discussion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Listen here:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"https:\/\/blogs.loucoll.ac.uk\/learningtechnology\/files\/2026\/09\/Gemini-Notebook-Blog-Podcast.mp3\"><\/audio><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Below, we have shared the notebook project so you can explore the uploaded sources and experiment with the Studio features.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>View the notebook:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/notebook.google.com\/notebook\/0f5eb048-2e9f-4e77-9655-cd3901dc5e83\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Getting Started with Gemini Notebook<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Feel free to create your own copy and see what you can generate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Example Use Cases:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Gemini Notebook can support a wide range of staff and student activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:1px\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Generate Instant Briefings:<\/strong> Transform lengthy reports and policy documents into a concise summary or an FAQ sheet.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Review Data<\/strong>: Analyse large collections of documents and identify key themes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Create Study &amp; Training Materials:<\/strong> Generate flashcards, quizzes, and study guides directly from your uploaded content.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Listen:<\/strong> Use the &#8220;Audio Overview&#8221; feature to transform dense reports or reading materials into an engaging, two-person podcast.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Whether you&#8217;re preparing learning materials, reviewing policies, analysing reports, or supporting research, Gemini Notebook can help transform information into actionable outputs, saving time and helping you work more effectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Help and Support<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile is-vertically-aligned-center\" style=\"grid-template-columns:15% auto\"><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.loucoll.ac.uk\/learningtechnology\/contact-us\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.loucoll.ac.uk\/learningtechnology\/files\/2021\/06\/GettyImages-1271748762-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Message icon\" class=\"wp-image-6229 size-full\" \/><\/a><\/figure><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As always, contact the&nbsp;<a href=\"mailto:digitallearning@loucoll.ac.uk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Digital Learning Team<\/a>&nbsp;for more information, guidance, and support. You can also book a coaching session here: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.loucoll.ac.uk\/digital-learning-coaching\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Digital Learning Coaching<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Unlike a traditional AI chatbot, Gemini Notebook provides a dedicated, secure workspace built around your specific documents, resources, and subject matter. Once sources are uploaded, it becomes focused on your content, allowing you to ask questions, generate summaries, create resources, and explore information with confidence. As the Notebook&#8217;s AI is &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":119,"featured_media":12156,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[240,197,146,156],"tags":[379,37,377,378],"class_list":["post-12147","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ai","category-dlt","category-teaching-platforms-apps","category-teaching-learning-assessment","tag-gemini-notebook","tag-google","tag-notebook","tag-notebooklm"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.loucoll.ac.uk\/learningtechnology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12147","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.loucoll.ac.uk\/learningtechnology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.loucoll.ac.uk\/learningtechnology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.loucoll.ac.uk\/learningtechnology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/119"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.loucoll.ac.uk\/learningtechnology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12147"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.loucoll.ac.uk\/learningtechnology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12147\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12159,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.loucoll.ac.uk\/learningtechnology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12147\/revisions\/12159"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.loucoll.ac.uk\/learningtechnology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12156"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.loucoll.ac.uk\/learningtechnology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12147"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.loucoll.ac.uk\/learningtechnology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12147"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.loucoll.ac.uk\/learningtechnology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12147"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}