#34. NotebookLM - Uses for K12 EducatorsTeachers

Google's New NotebookLM is a very useful study tool but only users 18+ can use it. Does that mean that this new tool has no value for Educators who work in a K12 environment? The answer to that question is NO. 

The purpose of this blog post is to show K12 Educators how they can use Google NotebookLM’s podcast feature to convert dense, theoretical, or policy-heavy documents into digestible audio content which can help them:

  • Learn on-the-go and avoid “PD fatigue”
  • Retain more from long readings
  • Reflect more deeply via AI-generated conversations

As educators, we’re constantly asked to read: policy updates, professional development (PD) documents, theoretical frameworks, and the occasional 50-page research article. These texts are often essential, sometimes not — but whatever their importance, let’s be honest: they’re not always easy to digest. Add a full teaching timetable into the mix, and it becomes nearly impossible to give these documents the attention (some of them) deserve.

Recently, I started experimenting with Google’s AI-powered tool NotebookLM, and specifically its podcast feature caught my attention. At first, it seemed like a novelty — the kind of thing more suited for university students summarizing readings, as one would expect from a tool aimed at 18+ users. But then I had an idea: What if I used it to turn dense PD texts into bite-sized, listenable content I could consume on the go?

So I tested it with three very different types of documents:

  • A shared Google Drive PD folder (10 Docs containing examples of detailed GPT configuration prompts for various Education purposes)

  •  My Own Master’s Thesis PDF (50+ pages of deep theory and action research with a large appendix of tables, charts and figures)

  • An English Department Mid-Year Panel Meeting Document (One main Agenda Document with 8 Appendices of varying size)

You can see NotebookLM in action with these tasks in the video here:



The process is straightforward. I uploaded each document into NotebookLM, then let NotebookLM do its magic and convert all the information into a two person conversation - very listenable. Great for the bus journey home.

This approach isn’t about replacing in-depth reading — but it is about making professional development and other non-teaching information-based tasks more accessible, especially for educators under time pressure. Whether you're a department head trying to build shared understanding around a new initiative, or just a teacher trying to stay engaged with current research, this tool offers a powerful way to convert static, sometimes dry content into dynamic learning or information gathering and summarizing. The podcast output is extremely listenable and polished. It feels like two people having a real conversation about the topic which you can just listen in to.

My recommendation? Grab one document that’s been sitting unread on your desktop, upload it, and prompt NotebookLM to turn it into a podcast-style conversation. Then hit play — on your commute, during lunch, or even while prepping lessons. 

Let AI do the reading for you and turn it into something much easier to digest on your lunch break.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

#30. Writing Tools: Three Simple Ways Educators Can Use Apple Intelligence in Notes

Image
As educational technology continues to evolve, Apple has introduced powerful tools that can support educators in a wide range of tasks. Among these, Apple Intelligence Writing Tools in Notes stands out for its practical, time-saving applications. Here are three ways all educators can harness these tools to help themselves and their students. (Note: If you don't use any Apple devices within your role as a educator no need to continue reading.) 1. Record and Summarize Apple Notes’ new capabilities make it easy for educators to record and summarize both meetings and classroom interactions. Imagine you’re in a lengthy teacher meeting filled with important information—taking detailed notes can be challenging. With Apple Intelligence, you can audio record the meeting directly in Notes, and a summary can be quickly generated using Writing Tools. This feature pulls out key points and saves time on post-meeting documentation. For students, another great application is recording student int...
Read more

#29. Harnessing Text-to-Speech Technology in the EFL/ESL Classroom

Image
Harnessing Text-to-Speech Technology  in the EFL/ESL Classroom In today’s tech-savvy educational landscape, finding innovative tools to enhance learning is crucial, especially in the EFL/ESL classroom. One such tool that has gained popularity among teachers is the Natural Reader (NR) app. This powerful text-to-speech application allows teachers to create engaging reading and listening passages by converting text into speech. Let’s explore creative uses of the NR app in EFL/ESL lessons and compare it to the built-in text-to-speech features on MacOS and iPad. Teachers can use the NR app to prepare reading passages , which the app reads aloud. Students follow along, improving their pronunciation, intonation, and fluency. This method provides a natural flow of English, helping students grasp the rhythm and nuances of the language. Students can also listen to passages read by NR and answer comprehension questions tailored to current lesson themes, vocabulary, or grammar points, making ...
Read more

#31. Reinventing Reading: Using AI and Digital Tools to Create New Formats of Educational Storytelling

Image
In today’s classrooms, educators face a growing challenge: Students, especially ESL and EFL learners, are reading less. For a growing number of students, traditional books struggle to compete with the fast-paced, visually stimulating world of digital media. Instead of lamenting this shift, I decided to embrace it—by using AI and digital tools to reimagine what reading material can be. The Experiment: Turning a 'Text Story' into a 'Mini-Series' For this project, I wanted to see how far I could push my own understanding of current AI and tech tools to create an engaging reading experience for my Grade 5 and 6 ESL students. The result? A five-part YouTube mini-series based on an original story, crafted with the help of Chat GPT, called "Birthday Boy." This faux-horror comedy follows the misadventures of the ever-ridiculous Ranterino character (whom my students have known and interacted with for many years) as he disastrously attempts to become a children’s birthd...
Read more