Gemini

Gemini is Google's generative AI product for public use. Building on the rapid gains in AI technology over the past few years, Google has created a powerful, streamlined product that is super easy to use. Gemini responds to your prompts, although your results don't disclose which model has been used to generate them. Google claims that Gemini Advanced (paid) users have access to better models.

Teachers can access Gemini in two ways. Any adult logged in to a personal Google account can use basic Gemini for free or upgrade to Gemini Advanced with a Google One Premium account. For schools that use Google Workspace for Education, Gemini must be purchased and turned on for individual users (ages 18+) by the account administrator.

Gemini is, by design, a single multiuse tool that can be used in many different ways. Like Apple's Siri, Gemini can be a digital personal assistant, controlling your calendar, sending messages, scheduling travel, and performing other similar tasks. As with ChatGPT, you can ask Gemini to compose text. Gemini will draft a letter, write an essay, generate a lesson plan, or explain a math problem (though large language models have challenges with math). Gemini also includes an image generator. You can ask it to create a realistic or artistic image based on a text description or an existing image.  As of July 2024, Gemini will not generate images of people.

On a computer, you can access Gemini in your web browser. On mobile, Gemini is a stand-alone app on Android phones and is integrated into the Google app on Apple devices.

Teachers can appreciate Gemini as a time-saving tool, speeding up the process of tasks like building presentations and writing letters. It's also great for teachers who feel stuck in a rut and are looking for a new way to deliver a lesson. Why not take 30 seconds to ask Gemini to create a learning activity, and see if it might work for you?

Gemini is not for children. Users must be 18 years old to legally access Gemini. 

Teens can use Gemini from their personal Google account. At the moment, teens cannot access Gemini at all from within Workspace for EDU accounts—only educators and university students 18 and over can. If you want your students to use generative AI, there are platforms designed for classroom use and others that allow users age 13+ with parent permission. Consider this list of recommended Classroom Tools That Use AI.

Gemini allows you to use extensions (if you have Apps Activity turned on), and that can connect to real-time info from Maps, Flights, Hotels, and YouTube, and it recently added open-license textbooks from OpenStax. You can also use extensions to connect Gemini to Workspace, where it can access your Docs, Drive, and Gmail content. To use any of these extensions, you have to tag the service in your prompts. Keep in mind that these integrations may raise privacy concerns and should be used with caution.

Gemini doesn't cite sources used in responses, but it does have a "double-check" function that is meant to show "similar content," although educators should keep in mind the risks associated with overreliance on chatbot responses.

Google says it doesn't  use your Google Workspace content to improve its models, but it does remember and use your other prompts, searches, and feedback. Humans also review saved chats to improve Google AI.  Before you start using Gemini, go to the Gemini Apps Privacy Hub to learn more about privacy settings and set your permissions. As with all AI models, be careful not to enter personal information about you or your students. Read the terms carefully before getting started. If you don't understand how generative AI models work, consider taking Google's two-hour Generative AI for Teachers course, watching the AI 101 for Teachers video series from Code.org, or taking Common Sense Education's Training Course on AI Foundations for Educators.