Class with NotebookLM Desk - Webbook

Google NotebookLM is an AI-powered study and research assistant that analyzes uploaded documents (PDFs, Docs, websites, YouTube transcripts) and imported sources to provide grounded summaries, answers, and content generation, prioritizing data privacy.

Things You Need to Do before and after class work.

1.Read textbook first to find what is in there before you go to class NotebookLM desk.
2.Read this webbook: It gives you a summary and guidance of your study direction quick.

  • 3.Study Tools You Shall Use NotbookLM Desk: NotbookLM is a study and resarch tool for AI application. This allows students to interrogate the grounded data directly on their workspace!
  • 4.Study Performance Report: Use the outputs generated by the Canvas tool to create visual components, such as Infographics or Slide Decks, to visualize the key concepts of your study material for the website.

Setup & Source Management

1. Access and Initial Setup - One time for each class(course)

  • Sign In and Go to the Classroom with NotebookLM to log in using your personal or work NotebookLM account.
  • Create a Notebook: Select "Create new notebook" on the home dashboard. Give it a descriptive name to help you identify it later (e.g., "Learning with NotebookLM" or "Bio Lab Notes").

2. Add Your Sources (Textbook)

NotebookLM’s power comes from being "grounded" in your specific documents. You can add up to 50 sources per notebook.

  • Upload Files: You can upload PDFs, text files (.txt), or markdown files directly from your computer. Upload up to 500 sources (Plus) or 50 sources (Free) per notebooklm.
  • Connect Google Drive: Select and import specific Google Docs or Google Slides.
  • Link Media: Paste URLs for YouTube videos (with captions) or public website links to treat them as primary sources.
  • Pasted Text: Copy and paste snippets of text directly into the source panel.

3. Analyze and Interact (Chat)

Once sources are added, NotebookLM automatically generates a summary for each. You can then use the Chat panel at the bottom to query them.

  • Ask Specific Questions: Type natural language questions like, "What are the three main risks mentioned in these documents?".
  • Check Citations: When the AI answers, it provides numbered citations. Click these to see the exact passage in your original source where the information originated.
  • Focus Your Query: Toggle specific sources on or off in the left panel to limit the AI's search to only certain documents.

Transform, Organize & Collaborate

4. Transform and Organize (Studio)

The Studio panel allows you to generate new content based on your study material.

  • Audio Overview (AI Podcast): Click "Generate" in the Audio Overview section to create a podcast-style discussion between two AI hosts about your sources. You can even use Interactive Mode to talk back to the hosts and ask for clarifications.
  • Study Tools: Use the Studio to instantly generate Quizzes, Flashcards, Study Guides, or FAQ lists to test your knowledge.
  • Structural Reports: Prompt the AI to create briefing docs, timelines, or even Mind Maps to visualize connections between complex topics.

5. Create and Pin Notes

Save AI-generated answers or write your own notes in the notebook, then pin them to create summaries, outlines, or study guides.

6. Collaboration and Export

  • Share Your Work: Click the "Share" button in the top-right corner to invite collaborators to view or edit the notebook.
  • Export Findings: You can export generated reports directly to Google Docs or tables to Google Sheets for further formatting.

Advanced Multimedia & Sharing

7. Audio Overview

Generate a podcast-style audio summary of your sources.

8. Content Transformation

Convert materials into new formats, such as study guides, slide outlines, or creative content.

9. Visualizations

Create mind maps and other visualizations to understand complex information.

10. Share Notebooks

Collaborate with others by sharing your notebook with its associated AI insights.

Deep Engagement

11. Explore the Source Guide

Once sources are uploaded, NotebookLM automatically generates a Source Guide that provides a summary and suggests key questions or topics for exploration.

12. Engage with Content (Chat)

Type queries in the chat interface to ask questions about the uploaded sources. The AI will provide answers with citations linking directly to the source document, minimizing hallucinations.

13. Create and Pin Notes

Save AI-generated answers or write your own notes in the notebook, then pin them to create summaries, outlines, or study guides.

14. The Interactive Studio Simulator

The UI elements below are to explore the functions and customization options within NotebookLM.

Sources to Import

Prompting & The Google Ecosystem

15. How to Use a Correct Prompt in NotebookLM

NotebookLM operates on a Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) pipeline. To get the best results, use structured, "Multi-Source Synthesis Prompts" rather than generic requests.

The PTCF Formula for NotebookLM:

  • [P]ersona: "Act as a strict academic editor..."
  • [T]ask: "Synthesize the main arguments regarding AI hallucinations..."
  • [C]ontext: "Using only the uploaded research papers..."
  • [F]ormat: "Output as a 5-point bulleted list with inline citations."

16. Connecting NotebookLM with the Google Ecosystem

NotebookLM is powerful, but it is just one part of your AI toolbelt. Integrate it with other tools for a complete workflow:

Gemini & Gems

Take factual outputs from NotebookLM and paste them into Gemini or a custom Gem to rewrite them creatively, write code, or search the live web for updates.

Google Canvas

Export your NotebookLM reports into Canvas to collaboratively edit, expand, and format the text alongside the AI.

Nano Banana (Image Gen)

Use the visual descriptions generated by your NotebookLM research to prompt Nano Banana for highly accurate presentation images.

Sheets & Docs

Export generated Data Tables directly to Google Sheets, and briefing notes directly to Google Docs with a single click.

Link: back to campus