For this reflection I will be looking into Notebook LM, its functions, tools and effectiveness as an AI Learning tool especially in a teaching/learning focus. Personally, I have yet to use this platform but have heard great things specifically on its podcasting function and ability to pull directly from specified sources rather than large language models like ChatGPT’s method for example pulling from a broad range of data and sources. Notebook LM uses strictly the sources or documents you upload into it. In this way there seems to be a stronger and increased reliability or trust with its use as the user holds more control in its output validity. I have found that NotebookLM specializes more in synthesis, summarization and overall study use. 

Notebook LM Considerations of Use

Those I’ve talked to about the program have shared that it works well to pull from course texts or slides. However, this also makes me question its use of data and privacy as using another educators’ slides for example may not be a safe or ethical approach. There are foundational considerations that may go into Notebook LM’s use around copyright, general consent, and institutional policies which is something to keep in mind. However, according to Google Workplace, “NotebookLM does not train models on uploaded Workspace user data. Sources stay private unless you choose to share a notebook.” As an educator it’s especially important to critically think about the use and implications of programs like this one even when stating “safe data use” as these are constantly developing and could change over time or miss other criteria within safe use guidelines in different educational settings.

Testing Out Notebook LM Functions

My recent tests and experiences using Notebook LM have revealed a multitude of things. The program offered a range of tools including generating, audio, videos, mind maps, reports, flashcards, quiz’s, infographics, and slidedecks. I tried each of these uploading some differing pages, articles, and even lesson plans. However, the lesson plan idea didn’t work out as I had planned. I wanted to give the program a pre-made lesson plan and have it grab from this to create an improved version that connects to the BC curriculum and accurately represents each piece on the UVIC lesson planning template which is something I’ve been looking at through my inquiry blog posts. Notebook LM put together a very effective and meaningful looking lesson with steps, prompting, and a plan clearly connected to text and scaffolding but that’s when I truly realized that in order for the program to accurately generate something like this it would need all those background sources or ideas to be input through the sources columns. It was trying its hardest to represent what I was asking for but lacked the actual data to do this. From this experience I learned quickly that Notebook LM worked much better to teach knowledge from sources rather than create or generate. I proceeded to input one and multiple sources to try generating quizzes, infographics, podcasts and videos. I saw the most practical use through the quiz, infographic and video tools. At one point I input two educational videos on psychology and burnout, The Science of BURNOUT | Kati Morton & guest Dr. Barry Lieberman, and Emotion, Stress, and Health: Crash Course Psychology #26. From these I generated a video, infographic and quiz to assist in my learning and to review the effectiveness of the programs output. I can confidently say I have learned more than 5 facts from this 1 hour session, that have still stuck with me and made more sense in my opinion represented through the infographic format then solidified through an accurately related quiz. I will provide the outputs for this prompt below as a review of what these tools can do.

Source Summary:

“The transcript explores the multifaceted nature of human emotions, examining both their psychological classification and their significant biological impact. The source discusses models for understanding feelings, such as the 2-dimensional model based on valence and arousal, and addresses how emotions are expressed, noting the Facial Feedback Hypothesis and the cultural variability of specific gestures. A central theme is the powerful connection between a person’s emotional state—stress and pessimism, versus happiness and optimism—and their overall health and longevity. Specifically, the text explains that stress is a physiological reaction to external stressors that, while sometimes beneficial in the short term, can become profoundly damaging when chronic. The source details the negative effects of prolonged stress on the body, including digestive issues linked to the brain-gut connection and increased risk of heart disease resulting from compromised circulatory and hepatic function.”(Notebook LM)

Video – Burnouts Physical Toll on Mental Strain

Infographic – Physical Toll of Mental Strain

Psychology & Burnout Quiz

Educator Perspective & Reflection

• As an educator you could provide students slides or a specific source to input and quiz them for added practice or prep for in class assessment. The infographic tool provides visual support and formats points in a much more pleasing and digestible way. Finally, the video tool supports multiple modes of learning and I feel could truly enhance the learning or study experience even if just to represent core topic knowledge at the beginning of a class. I will add that the processing or creation time for both the video and podcast tools was timely, taking around 10-20 minutes depending on the number of sources I uploaded.
• For someone with learning challenges like myself, the podcast, video, and infographic formatting options to represent article sources, long write up’s and studies made these much more accessible, easy to follow, engaging and memorable. This is a big game changer to those with learning preferences, struggling to focus in class settings, with ADHD, dyslexia, and in need of visual or auditory supplements.
• Overall, I believe that Notebook LM could help support both educators and students through purposeful and considerate use also remembering that its data is only as valuable or extensive as the sources you provide it. This program has the potential to support in self-assessment and general study routines too as students hold more control and agency in its output. When integrated with intention and clear expectations I can see Notebook LM as being a repeated support in learning especially through its research-assistant style approach.