Tool Description
The Google Gemini LTI allows instructors to add course-specific Gemini Gems and Gemini Notebook resources directly to their Canvas courses for instructional use.
Overview of Google Gemini LTI
The Google Gemini LTI provides access to Gemini-powered instructional resources from within Canvas. Instructors can link course-specific Gemini Gems and Gemini Notebook resources to support teaching, student studying, and engagement with course materials. Gemini Gems can provide targeted support, such as answering course-related questions or guiding students through specific tasks. Gemini Notebook can offer a content-grounded study space based on selected course materials.
Setting up Gemini Gems and Notebook
Enabling Google Gemini in Canvas
Google Gemini is enabled by default in Canvas courses. If the Google Gemini link does not appear in the Course Navigation Menu, instructors can enable it through the course Navigation settings.
As a best practice, instructors may enable Google Gemini during course development to create and link the necessary Gemini Gems or Gemini Notebook resources. After the resources are linked, instructors may disable Google Gemini from the Course Navigation Menu if students do not need direct access to the tool dashboard.
- Open the Canvas course where Google Gemini needs to be available.
- Select Settings from the Course Navigation Menu.
- Select the Navigation tab.
- Locate Google Gemini in the disabled or hidden navigation items list.
- Move Google Gemini to the enabled navigation items list by dragging it into the active navigation area or selecting Enable from the item options.
- Place the link in the preferred order within the Course Navigation Menu.
- Select Save to apply the change.
As a best practice, instructors may enable Google Gemini during course development to create and link the necessary Gemini Gems or Gemini Notebook resources. After the resources are linked, instructors may disable Google Gemini from the Course Navigation Menu if students do not need direct access to the tool dashboard.
Adding Gemini Gem in the Module
Within a Canvas course, instructors can create and link multiple custom Gemini Gems for different instructional purposes. For example, an instructor may create a Q&A assistant to answer course-related questions, a conceptual breakdown assistant to help students review complex topics, or a Socratic thinking partner to guide students through reflection and problem-solving activities.
When a Gemini Gem is linked in a module, students can access it directly from the module item through the LTI authentication process. Students will have viewer access to the shared Gemini Gem.
- Open the Canvas course where the Gemini Gem will be added.
- Select Modules from the Course Navigation Menu.
- Locate the module where the Gemini Gem should appear.
- Select the Add Item button for the module.
- From the content type menu, select External Tool.
- Select Google Gemini from the list of available external tools.
- If prompted, sign in with the appropriate Google Workspace account and authorize the integration.
- Select the Gem option, then choose the Gemini Gem to add to the module.
- Confirm the selection and ensure the link is set to open in a new tab if required.
- Select Add Item to add the Gemini Gem to the module.
- Publish the module item when it is ready for students to access.
When a Gemini Gem is linked in a module, students can access it directly from the module item through the LTI authentication process. Students will have viewer access to the shared Gemini Gem.
Adding Gemini Notebook in the Module
Gemini Notebook allows instructors to prepare multiple notebooks by chunking course content for specific instructional purposes. Within each notebook, instructors can build learning resources and activities, such as mind maps, podcast-style summaries, video presentations, and practice quizzes, and make them available for students to use as additional course learning resources.
When a Gemini Notebook is linked to a module, students can access it directly from the module item through the LTI authentication process. Students can study and interact with the shared Notebook, but they cannot add or modify sources in the instructor’s Notebook.
- Open the Canvas course where the Gemini Notebook will be added.
- Select Modules from the Course Navigation Menu.
- Locate the module where the Gemini Notebook should appear.
- Select the Add Item button for the module.
- From the content type menu, select External Tool.
- Select Google Gemini from the list of available external tools.
- If prompted, sign in with the appropriate Google Workspace account and authorize the integration.
- Select the Notebook option, then choose the Gemini Notebook to add to the module.
- Confirm the selection and ensure the link is set to open in a new tab if required.
- Select Add Item to add the Gemini Notebook to the module.
- Publish the module item when it is ready for students to access.
When a Gemini Notebook is linked to a module, students can access it directly from the module item through the LTI authentication process. Students can study and interact with the shared Notebook, but they cannot add or modify sources in the instructor’s Notebook.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a teaching assistant share a Gemini Gem or Gemini Notebook with the course?
Yes. The teaching assistant must be enrolled in the course before sharing a Gemini Gem or Gemini Notebook. Instructors can access the shared Gem or Notebook through the course, but ownership remains with the teaching assistant who created and shared it.
If a teaching assistant leaves the course, will the Gemini Gem or Gemini Notebook link remain available?
The link remains available as long as the teaching assistant continues to share the Gemini Gem or Gemini Notebook. If the teaching assistant removes sharing access or the resource is no longer available, students and instructors may lose access to the linked item.