Module 1: Why AI, Why Now – and Why Through a PLC?
IN THIS LESSON
Before you introduce NotebookLM to your team, use this structured activity to explore the tool yourself.
Start by opening this public notebook at Google NotebookLM and downloading the Leadership Field Guide Notetaker PDF linked below.
This is Google’s official Introduction to NotebookLM notebook. It includes:
27 built-in sources explaining how NotebookLM works
Suggested questions to help you start exploring
A Notebook Guide that summarizes documents and suggests actions
Studio outputs you can watch or test—like flashcards, slide decks, and FAQs
Micro-Missions: Complete 2–3 of These Tasks
Use these short tasks to guide your exploration. Try completing 2–3 in about 10–15 minutes.
Mission A – The Listener
Click on a Studio output like NotebookLM AI Research Workflow or Verified AI Research and Audio. Play the audio or video. What stands out to you?
Mission B – The Skeptic
Pick a document from the source list. Ask the AI a very specific or challenging question based on that source. How accurate or helpful was the response?
Mission C – The Creator
Try generating a quiz, flashcard set, or study guide from the Notebook Guide or Studio. Would this be useful to a teacher?
Mission D – The Explorer
Use the chat window to ask one of the suggested starter questions, like:
“How can I turn my research into a podcast or video?”
“What are the best ways to organize team projects and sharing?”
“Teach me how to use the Studio for advanced study aids.”
Then ask a question of your own.
Reflection Questions
After you explore, take a few minutes to jot down responses to these questions. You’ll return to these in future modules when you plan your first PLC.
What features or outputs were most helpful—or surprising?
What did you notice about how the tool communicates?
If you were a teacher seeing this for the first time, what might you be curious or anxious about?
What are some ways this could support teacher thinking or planning?
Optional: Write one “I wonder” statement.
“I wonder if NotebookLM could help me/my team with…”
Why This Matters
Using the tool yourself is the best way to build trust, curiosity, and clarity before you lead others.
When you're ready to prepare your first AI-focused PLC, this experience will help you anticipate what others might need—and model the same exploratory mindset you’ve practiced here.
