Gemini App Support for Faculty

As part of the College’s ongoing effort to harness the power of AI to improve productivity, the Google Gemini app (gemini.google.com) is available for the Union community.  Gemini provides access to Google AI models, which will allow you to chat with the Gemini app to brainstorm ideas, answer questions, create and summarize content, get feedback and more.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What is the Gemini App?
    The Gemini App is an AI-powered tool that can assist with various tasks, including generating text, translating languages, writing different kinds of creative content, and answering your questions in an informative way.
     
  2. How is my data protected in the Gemini App?
    ITS has released Google Gemini to the campus community at this time because Google has put in place significant safeguards not available in other services. For example, all data supplied by Union employees are protected and owned by Union College and will not be used to improve AI models. This is important so that the general public who use Google Gemini will not see our work show up in answers to their prompts.

    Additionally, if you’d like Google Gemini to use content in files or mail in your Union Google account to help generate a response or analyze materials, Google Gemini  will be able to access materials on Mail, Drive and Docs through Google Workspace extensions. 

  3. Can I access the advanced features of the Gemini App?
    No, the version of the Gemini App available to faculty at this time does not include advanced features. This version does not provide access to the following functionality:
    -Access to Gems (custom AI exports for any topic)
    -Ability to upload documents for insights and analysis
    -Access to Google's most capable AI models
     
  4. How do I get started?
    To get started using Gemini, go to gemini.google.com.  You will need to sign in using your Union College credentials if you are not already logged into our Google Workspace for Education environment.
     
  5. Who can I contact for technical support? 
    If you have any questions, please contact the ITS Help Desk at (518) 388-6400 or helpdesk@union.edu or visit us at helpdesk.union.edu.


Resources from Google

New to Gemini? The following three articles from Google will help faculty think about how Gemini can be used to help people perform a variety of tasks. The first provides strategies for communicating with Gemini in the most effective way possible in order to plan and augment lessons, prepare instructional materials, manage behind-the-scenes administrative tasks, and lots more!

  1. How to Write A Prompt: There are five prompt-writing building blocks. Remember them by thinking of the “parts” of a prompt: Persona, Aim, Recipients, Theme, and Structure.
  2. Prompt Library: GenAI for Educators with Gemini: This resource contains templates for all of the prompts used throughout Google’s Generative AI for Educators with Gemini course. To use these templates:
    • Select the template that works for your specific goal.
    • Customize the prompt for your use case.
    • Copy and paste your prompt into Gemini and review the output.
  3. Responsibility Checklist: Refer to this list of guidelines to ensure the accurate and ethical use of AI.

Gem Library for Educators

Google Gems are a feature within Google Gemini (Google's AI assistant) that allows you to create and use custom AI experts tailored to specific tasks or roles. Think of a Gem as a personalized version of Gemini that has its own set of instructions and knowledge base. Here's a breakdown of what they are and how they work:

  • Custom AI Experts: You can create a Gem to act as a specialist, such as a career coach, a creative brainstorming partner, a coding helper, a writing editor, or even a diet planner.
  • Custom Instructions: You define the Gem's persona, task, context, and format (e.g., "Act as a friendly, concise travel itinerary planner and always provide three options in a bulleted list."). The Gem will then apply these instructions to every prompt you give it. This saves you from having to repeat detailed instructions every time you start a new chat.
  • Upload Files for Context (Gemini Advanced): For more specialized and in-depth responses, you can upload files (like brand guidelines, a resume, or a set of notes) to give the Gem the specific context and resources it needs.
  • Premade Gems: Google provides pre-built Gems for common tasks, like a "Brainstormer" or a "Career guide," which you can use right away or copy and customize.
  • Availability: You can create, edit, and use Gems in the Gemini web app, and you can also use them in the Gemini mobile app.

In essence, Gems allow you to transform the general-purpose Gemini into a collection of specialized assistants that are fine-tuned for your unique needs and preferences. You can create a custom Gem and share/use it with students as well.

External Gem Resource:

  1. EduGems: A collection of pre-made prompts ("Gems") for educators to use with Google Gemini. While some of these are K-12 focused, you can certainly adapt them to a higher ed context.

NotebookLM

Built on top of Google Gemini, NotebookLM is an AI-driven platform that transforms your course documents into interactive knowledge bases. It allows both you and your students to generate targeted summaries. ask nuanced questions about the content, discover meaningful connections between texts.

Ideas for Using Gemini for Productivity, Teaching and Learning, and Research

Productivity

  • Draft emails, memos, and other communications.

  • Summarize meeting notes or lengthy documents.

  • Create outlines or first drafts of presentations.

  • Brainstorm ideas for projects or initiatives.

Teaching and Learning

  • Develop creative writing prompts or discussion questions.

  • Generate practice quizzes or study guides.

  • Create interactive learning activities, such as role-playing scenarios or simulations.

  • Assist students with research by generating summaries or finding relevant sources.

  • Want more ideas for adapting genAI for the classroom with specific prompts? See U. Maine's excellent resource.

  • See LDDI's Teaching and Learning Resources on Generative AI for help managing GenAI in your classroom

Research

  • Summarize research articles or reports.

  • Generate literature reviews or annotated bibliographies.

  • Brainstorm research questions or hypotheses.

  • Assist with data analysis and interpretation by generating visualizations or identifying trends.

  • Draft grant proposals or research papers.

 

Note: Always remember to review and edit any content generated by Gemini. While the app can be a valuable tool, it's important to ensure that the final product meets your standards and accurately reflects your ideas.

If you are having difficulty or you have unanswered questions, please contact the Help Desk through the ITS Service Catalog or call (518) 388-6400.

 

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