Eight Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) schools will begin piloting a new artificial intelligence (AI) learning tool in November to help students strengthen their study skills, engage with classroom materials, and deepen their understanding of course content.
The tool, Gemini Notebook (formerly known as NotebookLM), is an AI-powered research and study assistant that allows students to interact with materials provided by their teachers or uploaded from their own coursework.
Unlike general-purpose AI chatbots, Gemini Notebook is designed to ground its responses in the sources users provide. For example, students can upload history notes and reading assignments, then use the tool to generate study questions, summarize key concepts, or organize information. This approach helps keep learning focused on classroom content and reduces the potential for inaccurate information. Students will still be encouraged to verify responses against their original sources.
Supporting Student Learning
Throughout the pilot, students and teachers will explore ways to use Gemini Notebook to support learning, including:
Creating interactive study guides: Students can generate practice questions, quizzes, and glossaries based on their classroom notes and reading assignments.
Listening to learning materials: Students can turn uploaded readings into conversational, podcast-style audio overviews, providing another way to review and engage with course content.
Brainstorming and organizing ideas: Students can use the tool to develop outlines and organize information from research materials they have gathered.
The pilot will emphasize using AI as a resource to support critical thinking and understanding, rather than as a substitute for students' own work.
Protecting Student Privacy
Gemini Notebook is available through the division's Google Workspace for Education environment and operates under established privacy and security protections.
According to Google's education privacy commitments, student content and interactions within the tool are not used to train its public AI models. Students will access the tool through their secure LCPS accounts, without needing to create separate personal accounts.
These safeguards are intended to protect student information while providing access to emerging educational technology.
Evaluating the Pilot
During the pilot, teachers will guide students in the responsible and ethical use of AI, emphasizing the importance of independent thinking, evaluating information, and using technology appropriately.
LCPS will also gather feedback from participating teachers and students to better understand how the tool supports instruction, student engagement, and learning.
The pilot is part of the division's ongoing efforts to explore how emerging technologies can support student success while promoting responsible AI use.
Families can learn more about the division's approach to AI, including guidelines and family resources, on the LCPS Generative AI webpage.
Questions about the pilot can be submitted through this feedback form.