Sunday, June 14, 2026

Using NotebookLM

 

What is NotebookLM?

NotebookLM is a tool by Google with a robust free tier. One of the disadvantages of chatbots is that they pull information from everything they have been trained on: verified/non-vertified and relevant/non-relevant. NotebookLM lets you identify the pool of information you want to use for your queries and outputs. You select the information sources you want considered and keep them in a "notebook." Within NotebookLM you can create many of these "topic" focused notebooks for your use.  The information sources are wide: websites, documents, videos, images, audio files, handwritten notes...you can even take information generated by NotebookLM and use that as input. The benefit (and potential downside) to NotebookLM is it will only draw from the information you have identified and included (although you can have it identify sources for you as well). The output for NotebookLM is not limited to responses to your prompts, but that information can then be used to produce audio, infographics, mindmaps, flashcards, and more. It is another great example of using AI as a collaborator not as a replacement for us/our thinking. There are vast implications for using NotebookLM to support learning in ourselves and in others. 

How to use NotebookLM

If you are not familiar with NotebookLM (or even if you are) watch this video. It is a bit longer (35 minutes), but the author does a wonderful job of introducing NotebookLM, the interface, and then walks through examples and tips for adding sources, the chat window, and each of the elements in the studio (I decided it was better than the video I made!)

One note: there is an advertisement in the video from 14:53-17:42.  You can use the scrubber on the timeline to skip it.

Video: How to Master NotebookLM in 2026. (YouTube, 34:14)

Another video with different tips

Of course, there are many NotebookLM videos on the internet. I particularly like this video from Jeff Su (Google employee) because he offers suggestions and tips I have not seen in other videos.  However, he explains things very fast, and it's a better video to watch after you have watched the previous introduction video, or if you have experience with NotebookLM.

NOTE: There are two very short advertisements in this video that you can watch (they are short!) or skip past at 7:20-7:52 and 14:56-15:08.

Video: NotebookLM Changed Completely: Here's What Matters (in 2026). (Youtube, 20:30m)

Want even more NotebookLM resources to answer your questions and take your skills to the next level?

There are many NotebookLM resources on the internet, and I encourage you to find resources that answer your questions and support what you would like to do with NotebookLM. Here are some resources you might want to review to get started.

(notebook image generate with Microsoft Copilot)

How might you use NotebookLM?

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Citing AI in APA


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In our class, we are advocating for AI to be a collaborator rather than a replacement for our work.  But, how--and when--do you cite your interactions with AI in papers? Many of us use Purdue OWL (Online Writing Lab) as an online source for APA formatting. And while Perdue OWL does have a section on how to format electronic sources in a reference list, for the most up-to-date information, it's best to check out the APA website. APA has a page with example references for AI tools and AI chat. 

I also found these three APA blog posts from 2025 useful for thinking about what, why, when, and how to reference AI in papers.

As AI continues to quickly evolve, so too the rules for incorporating AI into papers must evolve. My advice: keep checking in with the APA website, do your best, and consider checking with your professor or publisher!

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AI Prompting Resources

Decorative image with the label: AI Prompting


There are many models you can use to structure your AI prompting to provide enough information to get you as close as possible to the answer you are looking for from an AI chatbot including Task-Role-Audience-Approach-Tone/Style (Educraft video),  Request-Reference-Format-Framing, Task-Act as if-Output-Audience, Specific-Context-Iterate, and more! (just search for it!)

But you do not need to go it alone.  There are many prompting resources available for you:


Decorative image with the heading: Prompt Libraries

A prompt library is a list of prompts you can use "as is" or use as inspiration and customize.
For example, 


A Few More Prompts for Fun!

(Forbes has a lot of prompt articles)


decorative image with label: Have a chatbot create your prompts

You can also prompt your Chatbot to create (or improve) your prompts!

Example 1: Creating prompts

I want you to become my Prompt Creator. Your goal is to help me craft the best possible prompt for my needs. The prompt will be used by you, [name of chatbot such as ChatGPT]. You will follow the following process: 1. Your first response will be to ask me what the prompt should be about. I will provide my answer, but we will need to improve it through continual iterations by going through the next steps. 2. Based on my input, you will generate 3 sections a) Revised prompt where you provide your rewritten prompt. It should be clear, concise, and easily understood by you, b) Suggestions where you provide suggestions on what details to include in the prompt to improve it, and c) Questions where you ask any relevant questions pertaining to what additional information is needed from me to improve the prompt. 3. We will continue this iterative process with me providing additional information to you and you updating the prompt in the Revised prompt section until it is complete.

Example 2 (from @evolving.ai): Rewriting prompts

You are Prompt Professional, the most advanced [name of chatbot such as ChatGPT] prompt writer in the world. I will provide you a prompt. Today, your job is to rewrite the prompt again in 10 different and creative ways. Now ask me what prompt to rewrite.

Example 3: Teaching support

I am a trainer who needs to teach [content] in [business/setting]. My students are [describe students]. The level of this training should be [beginner, advanced, suitable for new leaders, etc.] The training will be [duration] and be [face to face, online, self-paced, etc.]. Possible challenges of teaching these students are [challenge 1] [challenge 2]. I enjoy teaching because [reason 1] [reason 2]. Generate 20 ChatGPT use cases that could help me enhance my effectiveness as a trainer and improve my student's engagement and learning.

Alternative for red text above:

Generate 10 objectives for this training with two activity ideas for each objective.

Substitute whatever instructions will be useful for you in place of the red text.


Have fun creating and editing prompts!

(All images created with Microsoft Copilot.)

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Thursday, June 11, 2026

Podcast! A great way to multi-task (or single-task)

 Audio (and video) podcasts are a great addition to your PLN.  In addition to providing another way to learn (auditory), audio podcasts are a multi-tasker's dream!  You can listen to podcasts while cooking, cleaning, walking the dog, driving, exercising, etc!  This week, you are going to find and listen to at least one podcast.

 

  • Listen to at least one podcast episode on the web or using a podcast player on your mobile device. 

  • If you like a podcast, consider subscribing! (if you subscribe, new podcast episodes will come to your podcast player automatically, just as new blogs automatically come to your Feedly.)

What HRD or technology and learning podcasts do you recommend for us to add to our PLNs?


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Tuesday, June 9, 2026

Two YouTube tools


YouTube is an amazing resource of videos that we can incorporate in our own PLN and as we develop others.  Here are some tools to make using YouTube even better! 








  • Creating a "cued up" YouTube video link - through YouTube
    If you want to start showing a video at a particular time in the video, you can use YouTube to modify the URL for the video so it starts where you want it to start.  Let's say you were watching the YouTube video of the Ze Frank web playroom TED talk and wanted to share it, but wanted to start at a particular spot in the video project which begins 14 minutes and 22 seconds into the video.  Do the following:
          1. Click on the Share icon to show the URL.



          2. Click the checkbox and add the start time in minutes and seconds.



              Now when you share the URL, it will start at 14 minutes, 22 seconds.

              (I encourage you to take a look at this entire TED Talk. And oldie--2010!--but a goodie.)

  • Displaying a YouTube video without distractions
   Let's say you want to show a video in class or in a training session or in a meeting.  The problem with going to the YouTube website is the random videos in the sidebar.  Not only are they distracting, but since you have no control over what is presented in the sidebar, they may be completely inappropriate for your setting!  There are several easy ways to show the video without the sidebars on the screen:

    • Show the video full screen. This is a less than perfect options because you will spend some time on the YouTube screen before you make it full screen.
    • Embed the video in a Powerpoint presentation.  The video will show "in" your Powerpoint without the sidebar videos or comments from the YouTube page.
    • What if you are not using Powerpoint?  
      • You can use Watchkin.com. Watchkin is a website that allows you to paste your YouTube URL into the blank Watchkin webpage (except for the Watchkin branding) so you can watch on a distraction-free webpage. You can also fullscreen the video from the Watchkin page.

      • You can also use the DF Tube (Distraction Free for YouTube) extension for Chrome or Firefox.

    • If you find a YouTube video you want to use for development and it has ads during the video, a good tip is to add a "dash" to the YouTube link so your link appears as
      yout-ube.com/etc.etc. It will allow you to watch the video without externally added ad interruptions (this does not work if the "ad reads" are read by the host as part of the video).  

What are your favorite YouTube tips to share with us?
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Adding a video to YouTube (and "trimming" it)

There are many ways to create a video including using video from your phone; creating a screen recording with ScreenPal; creating a recording of a conversation, a screen share, or a PowerPoint presentation in Zoom; and recording a presentation directly from PowerPoint and saving it as an MP4 video. 

(Here is a more in-depth video on all of the video recording options in PowerPoint, including how to create a screen recording from within PowerPoint that is "editable" and then easily include it in your PowerPoint slide.)  

But the question is: 

Once I have a video...what do I do with it?


Uploading a video to YouTube

Obviously, you can include your video in your Blogger blog. But often, you will want to upload it to YouTube.  Everyone who has a Gmail account automatically has YouTube storage space. Your ISU email is a Gmail account, which means your ISU email has YouTube storage associated with it! Here is a brief video on uploading a video to YouTube.


Once your video is uploaded to YouTube you can copy and share the link just like you would with any YouTube video!

Trimming your YouTube video

When you record your video, there is often some "extra" video at the beginning of the video between when you start recording and when you actually start your presentation. There is also typically a bit of "extra" video that gets captured at the end of the video as you finish up, turn off the recorder, etc.  It is not critical to remove the "extra" bits, but it makes your video look cleaner and more professional.  Here is a video that explains how to trim your video once it is uploaded to YouTube.


Have fun as you use YouTube with your videos!

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Saturday, June 6, 2026

"Snooze" your emails (even if you are not using Gmail!)













In an earlier blog post, I talked about using the "snooze" feature in Gmail to set a date for your email to be re-sent to your inbox.  But what if you are not using Gmail?  

One option is to use FollowUpThen. 






What is it?
Although not a tool for use with learners, this is one of my favorite "productivity" tools--I use it almost every day. (it's the only way I can ever get close to "inbox zero.")
FollowUpThen is a tool to help you manage your email inbox.  It lets you resend an email to your inbox at a later date (for example when you need to be reminded of something, or when you are ready to take action on the email). To accomplish this, you use SOMETIME@FollowUpThen.com as an email address in your distribution.

Example
Let's say I sent an email to Susan and Enrique asking when they were available to meet. Ordinarily, I might be tempted to CC or BCC myself on the email and leave it in my inbox to remind me that Susan and Enrique should be getting back to me about this.  This is not a good reminder system because 
  1. it clutters my inbox
  2. with all the email in my inbox--and with this email potentially scrolling off the bottom of the screen and not being visible--it may not be a good reminder for me. 
Instead of BCC-ing myself on the email, I can BCC SOMETIME@FollowUpThen.com.  Let's say I wanted to be reminded on Friday that Susan and Enrique should have gotten back to me. I would include in the distribution of the email:

TO: Susan, Enrique
BCC: Friday@FollowUpThen.com.  

The email will go to Susan, it will go to Enrique, and on Friday it will show up in my inbox.

How to Use it
When you go to the FollowUpThen website you'll see you can sign up for an account. The free version allows for 50 follow-ups in a month.

FollowUpThen allows you to use natural language in place of the SOMETIME in the email address.  You can say, "Friday," "EveryWednesday," "200pm," "April15," "tomorrow," "2days," and a whole host of other descriptions. There is more information on how to set the SOMETIME on the followupthen.com webpage. 

With FollowUpThen you can also control who sees the follow-up.  If you put the SOMETIME@FollowUpThen.com email address in the:

BCC: only you will see the follow up
CC: all of the original recipients of the email will see the follow up

Because FollowUpThen is just an email address vs a separate email tool, you can use it with any email program.

A Big Caution
The way FollowUpThen works is that it stores your email, encrypted, on the FollowUpThen servers until it is time to re-send the email. After the email is sent, it is deleted from the FollowUpThen servers.  

However, the fact that the email is stored on third-party servers may be against your company's data management/privacy policies. 

Because of this, many of you will not be able to use FollowUpThen at work. Check with your company to see if it is OK to use FollowUpThen before you use it at work. Here is FollowUpThen's privacy policy. 

(although it should still be handy with your non-work email).

Resources:
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